Cellulose Gel Market Report 2025

The cellulose gel market size has grown strongly in recent years. It will grow from $1.41 billion in 2024 to $1.49 billion in 2025 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.6%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to increasing demand for low fat and low calorie foods, increasing usage in the pharmaceutical industry, rise in health awareness, growth of the processed food industry, rise in convenience food consumption.

The cellulose gel market size is expected to see strong growth in the next few years. It will grow to $1.88 billion in 2029 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.9%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to rising consumer preference for clean label products, growth in the pharmaceutical industry, increasing use in cosmetics and personal care products, growth in vegan and vegetarian food, increasing applications in the food industry for texture improvement. Major trends in the forecast period include adoption of sustainable practices, advancement in production techniques, development of novel applications, integration of smart technologies,implementation in the food and beverage industries.

The forecast of 5.9% growth over the next five years reflects a modest reduction of 0.7% from the previous estimate for this market. This reduction is primarily due to the impact of tariffs between the US and other countries. Trade tensions could hinder U.S. pharmaceutical manufacturers by inflating prices of high-purity cellulose gel excipients manufactured in Finland and Austria, resulting in formulation challenges and higher tablet production costs. The effect will also be felt more widely due to reciprocal tariffs and the negative effect on the global economy and trade due to increased trade tensions and restrictions.

The growth of the food enzyme market is expected to be driven by increasing demand for processed food products. Processed food products undergo mechanical, physical, or chemical alterations to make them suitable for consumption. Factors such as a fast-paced lifestyle, technological advancements in food processing, urbanization, and higher disposable incomes contribute to this rising demand. Cellulose gel plays a crucial role in enhancing processed foods by improving texture, stability, and shelf life, and it is widely used in sauces, dressings, desserts, and ready-to-eat meals. For example, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada reported in October 2023 that exports of processed food and beverage products reached $54.3 billion in 2022, a 14.1% increase from the previous year, representing 34.7% of the total production value. This trend underscores how the growing demand for processed food products is fueling the cellulose gel market.

Leading companies in the cellulose gel market are focusing on innovative and sustainable solutions, such as cellulose thickeners, to address environmental concerns and meet the rising demand for eco-friendly products across various industries. Cellulose thickeners enhance viscosity and stability in products used in food, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and more. For instance, Nouryon, a Netherlands-based specialty chemicals company, introduced Bermocoll flow cellulose ethers in April 2022. This product offers superior sag resistance, leveling, spatter resistance, and hiding capabilities compared to traditional thickeners in paint systems. Additionally, it is water-soluble and ideal for low-VOC paint formulations and airless spray applications, making it a sustainable choice for both interior and exterior decorative paints.

In September 2022, Roquette, a France-based provider of plant-based ingredients and solutions, acquired Crest Cellulose Pvt. Ltd. for an undisclosed sum. This acquisition is strategically aimed at strengthening Roquette's position in the cellulose derivatives market, enhancing its portfolio and capabilities to better serve the pharmaceutical and personal care industries. Crest Cellulose Pvt. Ltd., based in India, specializes in the production of cellulose derivatives used in pharmaceutical and personal care applications.

Major companies operating in the cellulose gel market are Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc., Shin Etsu Chemical Co. Ltd., Asahi Kasei Corporation, DuPont de Nemours Inc., International Flavors & Fragrances Inc., AkzoNobel N.V., Avantor Inc., FMC Corporation, Clariant AG, Roquette Frères, Sigma-Aldrich, J.M. Huber Corporation, Ashland Inc., Rayonier Advanced Materials (RYAM), CP Kelco U.S. Inc., Borregaard AS, Lamberti S.p.A., Spectrum Chemical Manufacturing Corporation, J. Rettenmaier & Söhne GmbH + Co KG, DMV-Fonterra Excipients GmbH & Co. KG, CFF GmbH & Co. KG, Maple Biotech Private Limited, Mingtai Chemical Co. Ltd., Sigachi Industries Limited, Accent Microcell Limited, CelluForce Inc.

North America was the largest region in the cellulose gel market in 2024. Asia-Pacific is expected to be the fastest-growing region in the forecast period. The regions covered in the cellulose gel market report are Asia-Pacific, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East, Africa. The countries covered in the cellulose gel market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Canada, Italy, Spain.

The cellulose gel market consists of sales of powdered cellulose, carboxymethyl cellulose, and hydroxypropyl methylcellulose. Values in this market are ‘factory gate’ values, that is, the value of goods sold by the manufacturers or creators of the goods, whether to other entities (including downstream manufacturers, wholesalers, distributors, and retailers) or directly to end customers. The value of goods in this market includes related services sold by the creators of the goods.

Note that the outlook for this market is being affected by rapid changes in trade relations and tariffs globally. The report will be updated prior to delivery to reflect the latest status, including revised forecasts and quantified impact analysis. The report’s Recommendations and Conclusions sections will be updated to give strategies for entities dealing with the fast-moving international environment.

The sudden escalation of U.S. tariffs and the resulting trade tensions in spring 2025 are having a significant impact on the pharmaceutical sector. Companies are grappling with higher costs on imported active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs), glass vials, and laboratory equipment - many of which have limited alternative sources. Generic drug manufacturers, already operating with minimal profit margins, are particularly affected, with some scaling back production of low-margin medications. Biotech firms are also experiencing delays in clinical trials due to shortages of specialized reagents linked to tariffs. In response, the industry is shifting API production to regions like India and Europe, building up inventory reserves, and advocating for tariff exemptions on essential medicines.

The cellulose gel market research report is one of a series of new reports that provides cellulose gel market statistics, including cellulose gel industry global market size, regional shares, competitors with a cellulose gel market share, detailed cellulose gel market segments, market trends and opportunities, and any further data you may need to thrive in the cellulose gel industry. This cellulose gel market research report delivers a complete perspective of everything you need, with an in-depth analysis of the current and future scenario of the industry.

Cellulose gel, also known as cellulose gum or carboxymethylcellulose, is a plant-derived stabilizing ingredient extracted from the structural components of specific plants, primarily cotton or trees. It is a refined form of insoluble fiber commonly found in various fruits and vegetables.

The primary sources of cellulose gel are wood cellulose and cotton cellulose. Wood cellulose refers to fibrous material obtained from tree cell walls. Derivatives include commodity cellulose pulp, cellulose ethers, cellulose esters, microcrystalline cellulose, nanocellulose, among others, each with distinct properties such as thickening, stabilizing, binding, anti-caking, lubricating, emulsifying, and as excipients. These derivatives find applications across diverse industries including food and beverages, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, textiles, paper coatings, household care, and more.

The market value is defined as the revenues that enterprises gain from the sale of goods and/or services within the specified market and geography through sales, grants, or donations in terms of the currency (in USD, unless otherwise specified).

The revenues for a specified geography are consumption values that are revenues generated by organizations in the specified geography within the market, irrespective of where they are produced. It does not include revenues from resales along the supply chain, either further along the supply chain or as part of other products.

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