Global Emulsifiers Market By Nature (Natural and Synthetics), By Product Type (Lactic Esters of Fatty Acids, Lecithins, Mono and Di-Glycerides of Fatty Acid, Esters of Monoglycerides of Fatty Acid, Polysorbates, Polyglycerol Esters, Polyglycerol, Polyricinoleate, and Others), By Function (Emulsification, Stabilization, Texture Improvement, Shelf-Life Extension, and Others), By Application (Food, Personal Care and Cosmetics, Pharmaceutical, Oilfield, Agrochemicals, and Others), Region and Companies – Industry Segment Outlook, Market Assessment, Competition Scenario, Trends and Forecast 2024 -2033

Report Overview

The Global Emulsifiers Market size is expected to be worth around USD 18.4 Billion by 2033 from USD 9.1 Billion in 2023, growing at a CAGR of 7.3% during the forecast period 2024 to 2033.

Emulsifiers are additives used in packaged food products to stabilize their formula. They are available in powdered, granulated, pre-mix solution, gel, and encapsulated forms. Emulsifiers are derived from natural and artificial sources. Most of them are derived from plants such as locust bean gums, pectin, starches, microbes, and crustacean shells. A majority of global consumers are shifting toward packaged foods to suit fast-paced lifestyles, thereby creating substantial growth opportunities for the market.

Increasing demand for convenience food and various niche products is expected to drive the global emulsifier market during the forecast period. Emulsifiers are widely used for a range of industrial applications. Industries such as pharmaceuticals, textiles, wastewater treatment, and power industries need different forms of emulsifiers to blend and stabilize different products. Emulsifiers are added to food & beverages, cosmetics & beauty products, personal care products, and pharmaceutical products to get the desired product output in terms of texture, form, and shelf life.

The increasing global urban population is quickly altering their food and lifestyle choices. Moreover, the increasing consumer interest in on-the-go food and ready-to-drink (RTD) beverages is anticipated to drive the global emulsifier market during the forecast period. For instance, according to the full-year 2023 results published by Coca-Cola on February 13, 2024, the company generated a revenue of USD 11.6 billion in 2023, with an organic profit share of USD 581 million in nonalcoholic ready-to-drink (NARTD) beverages category.

Key Takeaways

• In 2023, the market for emulsifiers generated a revenue of USD 9.1 billion, with a CAGR of 7.3%, and is expected to reach USD 18.4 billion by the year 2033.
• The nature segment held a major share of the market, with the synthetics segment taking the lead in 2023 with a market share of 65.4 % due to the cost affordability of the synthetic emulsifiers.
• By product type, the mono & di-glycerides of the fatty acid segment accounted for a significant share of 48.2% owing to the rapid expansion of bakery and confectionery industries worldwide.
• By function segment, the emulsification segment among the other sub-segments held a significant share of the market with 42.6% of the emulsifiers market due to the increasing consumption of packaged foods worldwide.
• By application, the food segment accounted for the largest market share of 58.2%.
• North America led the market by securing a market share of 45.6% in 2023.
• Lecithin, a natural emulsifier can be derived from animal or plant sources such as egg yolk and soybean, and bark of the saponins.
• Researchers have recently developed nano-emulsifiers and droplet-size emulsifiers with the help of homogenization. These technologies emulsify substances at a particle level thereby promoting higher stability in the formulation.
• Technological advancements have brought about innovation in the emulsification process with 3D-printed emulsifiers, membrane emulsifiers, and ultrasonic emulsifiers.

By Nature Analysis

Based on nature, the market is bifurcated into natural and synthetic segments. The synthetic segment accounted for 65.4% of the market share in 2023. This is attributed to the increasing demand for synthetic emulsifiers in the food & beverages industry. Synthetic emulsifiers such as polysorbates are widely used in ice creams to retain the desired texture and prevent it from melting. Processed foods such as sauces, margarine, vegan products, and other baked goods are added with synthetic emulsifiers for extended shelf life. Emulsifiers such as Carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) are used in gluten-free food and baked goods to enhance their texture.

Furthermore, the players in the market are gaining regulatory approval to use synthetic emulsifiers which is expected to drive the synthetic segment during the forecast period. For instance, according to the 2021 report published by the National Institute of Health (NIH), CMC is an approved, versatile, and cost-effective emulsifying agent that promotes thickening and solubility to the products used.

By Product Type Analysis

Based on product type, the market is divided into lactic esters of fatty acids, lecithins, mono & di-glycerides of fatty acid, esters of monoglycerides of fatty acid, polysorbates, polyglycerol esters, polyglycerol, polyricinoleate, and other segments.

Mono & di-glycerides of fatty acid was a leading segment among them in 2023, claiming a market share of 48.2% owing to the diverse applications of the mono & di-glycerides of fatty acid in food, paints & coatings, and pharmaceuticals industries.

Apart from emulsification mono & di-glycerides of fatty acid are also used to protect and prevent highly perishable foods from decay. This is achieved by applying the product directly on fruits, vegetables, and other eatables as edible coatings.

Mono & di-glycerides of fatty acids, named GMS-E471 are used to blend immiscible liquid blends in in food, cosmetics, and paints industries. GMS is also used in several applications of agriculture and bioplastic manufacture. Increasing applications of the product across several leading industries are anticipated to fuel this segment during the projection period.

By Function Analysis

Considering the function segment, the market is divided into emulsification, stabilization, texture improvement, shelf-life extension, and others. Among these, the emulsification segment held a significant share of 42.6% due to the increasing demand for emulsifiers across various industries.

The process of emulsification deals with combining or mixing more than two immiscible liquids or ingredients to achieve desirable texture, taste, and form in the final product. Industries such as food and pharmaceuticals use natural and synthetic emulsifiers to give baked foods, packaged sauces, and medicines, an extended shelf life and appealing textures.

Furthermore, the increasing global population demands medication & drugs for the prevention of diseases. For instance, according to the report published on May 1, 2023, by the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), about 10% of the medicinal products available in low-to-middle-income countries are sub-standard or falsified. This has led to increased awareness among consumers which encourages players in the market to use high-quality emulsifiers which is projected to drive the segment in the coming years.

By Application Analysis

The emulsifiers market is segmented based on application into food, Personal Care & Cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, oilfields, agrochemicals, and others. The food segment had a tremendous growth rate, with a market share of 58.2%. Emulsifiers are widely used by food manufacturers for a range of purposes.

They are used to enhance the food texture, blend immiscible liquid ingredients, promote the thickening or smoothening of products, and improve their shelf life. Increasing demand for frozen foods, baked goods, frozen desserts, and sauces & dressings is bolstering the demand for premium emulsifying agents in the food industry.

Moreover, the increasing consumer inclination toward purchasing food & groceries from online retail websites is anticipated to drive the segment during the assessment period.

Key Market Segments

By Nature

• Natural
• Synthetics

By Product Type

• Lactic esters of fatty acids
• Lecithin
• Mono & di-glycerides of fatty acid
• Esters of monoglycerides of fatty acid
• Polysorbates
• Polyglycerol Esters
• Polyglycerol Polyricinoleate
• Others

By Function

• Emulsification
• Stabilization
• Texture Improvement
• Shelf-life Extension
• Others

By Application

• Food
• Personal Care & Cosmetics
• Pharmaceutical
• Oilfield
• Agrochemicals
• Other

Drivers

Increasing global demand for ready-to-eat food and ready-to-drink beverages is expected to drive the market.

Rapid urbanization has altered the lifestyles and food choices of consumers worldwide. This has led to a rise in the popularity of ready foods, frozen foods, and ready-to-drink beverages. Food items such as quick snacks, bite-sized foods, ketchup & sauces, spreads & salad dressings, flavored beverages, dairy products & cheese, and baked foods are widely purchased from stores as they are convenient consumables to have on-the-go.

These foods are well-suited for today’s fast-paced lifestyle and therefore are required to have a long shelf life. Emulsifiers help manufacturers efficiently maintain the product quality, texture, color, desired taste, and shelf life. This Is expected to fuel the market.

The rapidly evolving e-commerce landscape is projected to drive the market.

The COVID-19 pandemic has brought about a groundbreaking revolution in the global e-commerce landscape. This is attributed to the growing consumer trust in online shopping, especially for purchasing consumer goods and groceries. The e-commerce platforms have amplified the profit revenue of convenience food businesses. This continues to impress consumers with various shopping deals.

The e-commerce platforms that sell ready-to-eat foods offer consumers discounted prices, subscription benefits, and attractive payment and delivery options. As a result, the rising consumer-centric approach of e-commerce stores and increasing consumer inclination toward personalized shopping experience is expected to ultimately fuel the emulsifier market during the forecast period. For instance, according to the Forbes news published on March 7, 2024, the global e-commerce revenue drastically surged during the pandemic, reaching about USD 5.8 trillion in 2023.

Restraints

Growing consumer awareness regarding the ill effects of artificial food ingredients concerns restrains the market.

Artificial emulsifiers such as carboxymethylcellulose, polysorbate 80, and others are likely to cause health hazards if consumed in the long run. The increasing awareness regarding the same among consumers is likely to hamper the market.

For instance, according to the study published in PubMed on February 29, 2024, artificial food additives put health at risk if consumed in the long run. As per the studies performed on animal models and in-vitro studies, long-term consumption of non-caloric sweeteners is most likely to lead consumers to chronic diseases such as CVDs, cancers, and obesity. run.

Opportunities

Increasing demand for organic food creates lucrative opportunities for the market.

Organic food is farm produce obtained from organic farming. This yield is obtained without using any harmful & artificial fertilizers which retain the quality & nutritional value of crops. The increasing global awareness regarding the health risks associated with the consumption of non-organic food is expected to fuel this market during the projection period.

Growing demand for vegan Personal Care & Cosmetics drives the market.

Increasing demand for vegan cosmetics is associated with rising consumer awareness regarding animal abuse during the manufacturing process. Animal-derived emulsifiers such as gelatin are widely used in personal care products such as bathing soaps, bars, shampoos, and cleansers. Gelatin is derived from cattle bones or pork skins.

The process of manufacturing such ingredients is less likely to be ethical for animals. This encourages players in the market to manufacture vegan products that assure the consumer that no harm is caused to animals during the manufacturing process, which is anticipated to fuel the market in the coming years.

Latest Trends

The growing global trend of cruelty-free goods is expected to drive the market in the coming years.

Increasing global awareness about animal abuse across several industries is expected to propel the market. Various insects and animals are used as sources of raw materials in the manufacture of emulsifiers and food additives. Consumers are opting to choose plant-based products to prevent any animal harm in the process.

This has encouraged manufacturers to use plant-based emulsifiers such as gum Arabic, guar gum, fava bean protein, and lecithin. The increasing demand for vegan or plant-based products and the rising number of people opting to choose vegan lifestyles is anticipated to drive the market. For instance, according to the data published by the World Animal Foundation (WAF), on June 1, 2024, there are about 88 million people across the world following a vegan lifestyle.

Geopolitical Impact Analysis

Rapidly changing global geopolitical scenarios significantly impact the emulsifiers market, thereby reshaping the dynamics. Europe is a leading exporter of emulsifiers with Germany dominating the market on the product manufacturing ground. The European Union has adopted the Green Deal, a set of proposals to transform the EU’s climate to neutral, by 2050. The government has imposed regulations on non-sustainable and non-biodegradable emulsifiers.

This has encouraged the players in the market to adopt sustainable manufacturing processes and invest in studies to create bio-degradable emulsifier formulae. Moreover, the ongoing trade war between the US and China has had a significant impact on the market dynamics ever since 2020.

Heavy tariffs on imported goods are now introduced with updated regulations, thereby limiting the profit margins for manufacturers and supply chains involved in the trade. The changing geopolitical scenario impacts the global economy which results in fluctuation in the costs of raw materials. This consequently affects the dynamics of the market.

Regional Analysis

North America has dominated the Emulsifiers Market Among Other Regions.

North America dominated the market with the largest share of 45.6% and a revenue of USD 4.1 billion owing to rapid urbanization and the exponentially growing baking & confectionary industry. The countries such as Canada and the US in the region are majorly urbanized. Consumers in the region like to taste varieties of flavors in RTDs and convenience foods.

The region is also a major consumer of frozen meat owing to the traditional and cultural influence on meat consumption, which has popularized seasoned frozen meat derivatives. Moreover, the increasing awareness regarding animal harassment in the region, especially related to livestock and dairy animals is continuously encouraging the masses to switch to plant-based consumer goods. This is projected to fuel the emulsifiers market in the region, during the projection period.

Key Regions and Countries

• North America
  • The US
  • Canada
• Europe
  • Germany
  • France
  • The UK
  • Spain
  • Italy
  • Russia & CIS
  • Rest of Europe
• APAC
  • China
  • Japan
  • South Korea
  • India
  • ASEAN
  • Rest of APAC
• Latin America
  • Brazil
  • Mexico
  • Rest of Latin America
• Middle East & Africa
  • GCC
  • South Africa
  • Rest of MEA

Key Players Analysis

The major players in the global emulsifiers market are continuously investing in innovation and expansion. They implement multiple business strategies to position themselves higher on the competitive ground Ingredion Incorporated, Evonik Industries AG, BASF SE, and Solvay are the major players known for diversified global emulsifiers production and supply chain network. These key players along with other industry participants collectively influence the global emulsifiers market’s supply, expansion, and demand dynamics.

Top Key Players

• ADM
• Akzo Nobel N.V.
• Arkema
• BASF SE
• Palsgaard
• Cargill, Incorporated
• Clariant
• Corbion
• Dow
• DSM
• DuPont
• Eastman Chemical Company
• Estelle Chemicals Pvt. Ltd.
• Evonik Industries AG
• Ingredion Incorporated
• Kerry Group plc.
• LANXESS
• Lonza
• Solvay
• Stepan Company
• The Lubrizol Corporation
• Others

Recent Developments

• On February 9, 2024, Palsgaard announced a major expansion of its factory based in the Netherlands to produce high-quality PGPR (polyglycerol polyricinoleate). This move is projected to double the production of PGPR for the mass production of chocolate.
• In January 2024, Corbion signed a strategic agreement of divestiture with Kingswood Capital Management, a middle-market equity firm with significant experience in food and beverage. The sale of Corbion’s emulsifier business is expected to let the company focus on fermentation-based technologies to bring further advancements in food technology to stand out on the competitive ground.
• On June 6, 2023, BASF SE declared its expansion of production capacity for bio-based alkyl polyglucosides (APG®s) in Asia-Pacific and North America. The company has established its new production lines in Bangpakong, Thailand, Cincinnati, and Ohio, to fulfill the surging demand for bio-based and bio-degradable surfactants.

Report Scope