Carrageenan Market

Use of Carrageenan in various industries is driving the market growth.

Market CAGR for carrageenan market is being driven by the use of Carrageenan in a wide range of industries. Carageenan, widely used as an additive, is a natural component of red algae used to emulsify, concentrate and preserve food and beverages. It can be used in various industries like food & beverages, pharmaceutical, cosmetics, and home care industries. It has a rising penetration into dairy and processed meat products as it gives mouth-feel characteristics to emulate fatty feelings.

Carageenan is a plant-based gelatin-like component that is widely used in skincare products as it has a natural ability for water binding that makes it effective in giving a smooth and creamy texture. Carageenan gum has become known among food & drinks due to its emulsifying properties, therefore used in skincare, mainly in moisturizers and lotions. It makes skin care products creamy, luxurious, and smooth, which makes them easy to apply on the face. Carageenan has additional use as toothpaste, shampoos, conditioners, hair masks, and gels, as it does not allow the oil-based and water-based active ingredients to separate.

The increase in demand for plant-based ingredients as an additive for skin care and hair products has fueled the carrageenan market.

Carrageenan has a wide range of pharmaceutical properties that same is stimulating the attention of the pharmaceutical market. The tissue engineering procedures require advanced developmental testing methods; therefore, the pharmaceutical industry is shifting towards carrageenan-derived biomaterials. Carrageenan becomes a strong mass when combined with the salts making them soluble in water and maintaining the elasticity of the product; this property is used by pharmaceutical companies to alter the parasympathetic nerve inhibitors in nasal spray. The carrageenan-based nanomaterials are used to deliver therapeutic agents like small molecule drugs, genetic materials, and peptides.

The kappa carrageenan has a wide range of applications in the food sector; it includes 25-30% of ester sulfate that reacts with locust bean clusters to develop bitter jelly, used as a stabilizer in dairy products. Carrageenan is a popular alternative to gelatin in vegan food products; these are used in chewing gums and other dental confectioneries. Globalization is rising the demand for packaged goods is driving the carrageenan revenue.

The Global Carrageenan Market Industry experiences substantial growth due to the increasing demand for carrageenan in the food sector. Carrageenan serves as a thickening and gelling agent, enhancing the texture of various food products, including dairy, meat, and plant-based alternatives. As consumers become more health-conscious, the preference for natural additives over synthetic ones is rising. This trend is reflected in the market's projected value of 0.95 USD Billion in 2024, with expectations to reach 2.35 USD Billion by 2035, indicating a robust CAGR of 8.55% from 2025 to 2035. Such growth underscores the essential role of carrageenan in modern food formulations.

By region, the study gives market insights into North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and the Rest of the World. The North American carrageenan market area dominates the market owing to the increase in the demand for carrageenan application in the food & beverage industry with the increasing leaning towards ingredient-based food formulation products. The US accounts for the largest market for carrageenan due to the increase in awareness of health benefits and also the research and development in industry fueling the market.

Further, major countries studied in the market report are The U.S., Canada, German, France, the UK, Italy, Spain, China, Japan, India, Australia, South Korea, and Brazil.

Figure 2: CARRAGEENAN MARKET SHARE BY REGION 2022 (%)

Source: Primary Research, Secondary Research, Market Research Future Database, and Analyst Review

Europe's Carrageenan market accounts for the second-largest market share owing to the increasing demand for processed food. Further, the German market for carrageenan held the largest market share, and the UK carrageenan industry was the fastest growing market in the European region

The Asia-Pacific Carrageenan Market is expected to grow during the forecast period 2023 to 2032. This is due to the presence of highly populous countries like India and China and expanding awareness of a healthy lifestyle and nutrition and rising per capita disposable income. Moreover, China’s market of carrageenan held the largest market share due to the presence of major food industries, and the Indian carrageenan industry was the rapidly growing market in the Asia-Pacific region.

Leading market players are investing heavily in research and development in order to expand their product lines, which will help the Carrageenan Market, grow even more. Market participants are also undertaking a variety of strategic activities to expand their footprint, with important market developments including new product launches, contractual agreements, mergers and acquisitions, higher investments, and collaboration with other organizations. To expand and survive in a more competitive and rising market climate, carrageenan industry must offer cost-effective items.

Manufacturing locally to minimize operational costs is one of the key business tactics used by manufacturers in the Carrageenan industry to benefit clients and increase the market sector. In recent years, the market for Carrageenan has offered some of the most significant advantages to food & beverage and pharmaceutical industries.

Major players in the Carrageenan market, including Ingredion Incorporated, TBK Manufacturing Corporation, PT Fortuna Cahaya Cemerlang, Cargill Incorporated, LTD, Danlink Ingredients, Caldic B.V., ACCEL Carrageenan Corporation, MCPI Corporation, Scalzo Food Industries, Marcel Trading Corporation, Soriano SA, Gelymar SA, Birmingham Biotech Ltd, Kerry Group, and others, are attempting to increase market demand by investing in research and development operations.

CP Kelco is a nature-based ingredient solutions company of 90 years working with food, beverage, consumer, and industrial product manufacturers globally. They focus on ingredient innovation and problem-solving to develop customized solutions that help their regional insights, meet manufacturers' goals and address consumer needs and preferences. Their key product line consists of gellan gum, pectin, xantham gum, carrageenan, diutan gum, fermentation-derived cellulose, refined locust bean gum, and microparticulate whey protein concentrate. In November 202, CP Kelco US launched a NUTRAVA citrus fiber, that will help in emulsion stabilization, suspension, viscosity, and in providing water holding capacity.

In May 2020, CP Kelco's Cebu was acquired by Marcel, which will help the company in dealing with four carrageenan plants.

The Cargill has helped farmers for more than 150 years to grow more and connect them to the border market. They are developing new products that provide consumers with their requirements, advancing nutrition, food safety, and sustainability. They collaborate with various key markets to innovate and manage risk to provide for the future globally. They have experience with new technologies and insights to be a trusted partner for food, agriculture, financial and industrial customers.

In July 2018, Cargill announced the extension of its seabird portfolio with the invention of the new Satiagel Carrageenan Extract, which is specially designed for texturing solutions for creamy dairy desserts.