Sugar-Based Excipients Global Market Report 2025

The sugar-based excipients market size has grown steadily in recent years. It will grow from $1.43 billion in 2024 to $1.5 billion in 2025 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.5%. The growth during the historic period can be credited to the expansion of the pharmaceutical industry, the increasing demand for pediatric and geriatric formulations, the rising prevalence of chronic diseases, the growing use of nutraceuticals, and the need for improved solubility and stability.

The sugar-based excipients market size is expected to see steady growth in the next few years. It will grow to $1.76 billion in 2029 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.1%. The growth during the forecast period can be credited to the increasing demand for oral solid dosage forms, the expansion of the nutraceutical industry, the growing adoption of sugar-based excipients in pediatric and geriatric formulations, the rising prevalence of chronic diseases and the corresponding drug demand, and the aging population. Key trends in the forecast period include advancements in functional excipients, a shift toward non-GMO and natural ingredients, technological innovations, progress in orally disintegrating tablets (ODTs), and the integration of sugar alcohols.

The increasing demand for pharmaceuticals is expected to drive the growth of the sugar-based excipients market. The pharmaceutical industry is dedicated to researching, developing, producing, and marketing medications to improve health outcomes. The rising demand for pharmaceuticals is fueled by the need for innovative treatments, advancements in drug development technologies, and the growing global healthcare sector. Sugar-based excipients play a crucial role in pharmaceuticals by acting as fillers, binders, and stabilizers, enhancing drug formulation, taste, and bioavailability. For example, in June 2023, the European Federation of Pharmaceutical Industries and Associations (EFPIA), a Belgium-based trade association representing the pharmaceutical industry, reported that total pharmaceutical production in Europe reached $384.2 billion (€340 billion) in 2022, reflecting a 4.95% increase from $366.3 billion (€323.95 billion) in 2021. Consequently, the rising demand for pharmaceuticals is accelerating the growth of the sugar-based excipients market.

Leading companies in the sugar-based excipients market are focusing on innovative solutions, such as next-generation mannitol products, to enhance drug stability, improve solubility, and optimize formulation performance in pharmaceutical applications. These next-generation mannitol products are advanced formulations designed to improve drug stability, enhance solubility, and optimize tablet compression for superior pharmaceutical performance. For instance, in October 2022, Roquette Freres, a France-based food company, introduced PEARLITOL CR-H and PEARLITOL 200 GT, two next-generation mannitol-based excipients designed for direct compression in pharmaceutical formulations. These innovations improve tablet processability, enable controlled release, and support high-speed manufacturing, offering new solutions to overcome drug formulation challenges.

In October 2023, Roquette Freres, a France-based food company, acquired Qualicaps Inc. for an undisclosed amount. This acquisition aims to strengthen Roquette’s global presence in the pharmaceutical industry, expand its expertise in hard capsules, enhance its oral dosage solutions, reinforce its position in pharmaceutical excipients, and provide customers with a broader and more innovative product range. Qualicaps Inc. is a US-based pharmaceutical company specializing in the design, manufacturing, and distribution of capsules, including sugar-based excipients.

Major players in the sugar-based excipients market are Cargill Incorporated, Archer Daniels Midland Company, Associated British Foods PLC, DuPont de Nemours Inc., IFF Pharmaceuticals Solutions, Ingredion Incorporated, Tereos S.A., Roquette Frères S.A., IMCD N.V., The Lubrizol Corporation, Ashland Global Holdings Inc., Tate & Lyle PLC, Colorcon Inc., DFE Pharma, Emilio Castelli S.R.L., Pfanstiehl Inc., Meggle AG, Scope Ingredients Pvt. Ltd., Citron Scientific, and MB Sugars & Pharmaceuticals.

North America was the largest region in the sugar-based excipients market in 2024. Asia-Pacific is expected to be the fastest-growing region in the forecast period. The regions covered in sugar-based excipients report are Asia-Pacific, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East and Africa.

The countries covered in the sugar-based excipients market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Canada, Italy, Spain.

Sugar-based excipients are a class of pharmaceutical excipients derived from sugars and their derivatives, including sucrose, lactose, glucose, sorbitol, and mannitol. These excipients play a crucial role in drug formulations by enhancing the physical and chemical properties of medications and improving patient compliance.

The primary product categories of sugar-based excipients include actual sugars, artificial sweeteners, and sugar alcohols. Actual sugars, such as sucrose, glucose, and lactose, are natural carbohydrates widely used in pharmaceutical formulations to enhance taste, texture, and stability, thereby improving the palatability and effectiveness of medications. These excipients are classified based on dosage form into liquid, semi-solid, and solid formulations. They serve various applications, including use as diluents, fillers, tonicity agents, and flavoring agents, catering to end users in the pharmaceutical, food and beverage, and cosmetics and personal care industries.

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

The sugar-based excipients market consists of sales of sucrose-based excipients, lactose-based excipients, and glucose-based excipients. 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.

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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