Gelatin Substitutes Global Market Report 2025

The gelatin substitutes market size has grown strongly in recent years. It will grow from $2.29 billion in 2024 to $2.5 billion in 2025 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9.1%. The growth during the historic period can be attributed to the increasing adoption of vegetarian and vegan lifestyles, the expansion of functional foods, growing health concerns related to animal-derived gelatin, the rise in pharmaceutical applications, and a surge in demand within the cosmetics industry.

The gelatin substitutes market size is expected to see strong growth in the next few years. It will grow to $3.51 billion in 2029 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.8%. The growth projected for the forecast period can be attributed to the rising adoption of sustainable ingredients, increasing incidences of food allergies, the expansion of vegan and vegetarian packaged foods, greater use in nutraceuticals and supplements, and the growth of e-commerce channels. Key trends during this period include advancements in food technology and processing, innovations in hydrocolloid blends, development of allergen-free alternatives, premiumization of plant-based desserts, and technological progress in texture engineering.

The rising health consciousness is expected to fuel the growth of the gelatin substitutes market moving forward. Health consciousness refers to a holistic state of physical, mental, and emotional well-being attained through balanced lifestyle choices and preventive care. This increase in health consciousness stems from a shift toward preventive healthcare, motivated by the desire to avoid lifestyle-related illnesses and lower long-term healthcare expenses. Gelatin substitutes support health-conscious individuals by providing plant-based, allergen-free alternatives that align with dietary restrictions and ethical considerations, promoting informed and inclusive nutrition. For example, in May 2022, a survey conducted by the International Food Information Council, a US-based non-profit organization, among 1,005 American adults aged 18-80 and Gen Z adults aged 18-24 found that about 52% of participants followed a specific diet or eating pattern, up from 39% in 2021. The most popular approaches were clean eating (16%), mindful eating (14%), and calorie counting (13%). Hence, the rising health consciousness is driving the growth of the gelatin substitutes market.

Leading companies in the gelatin substitutes market are concentrating on innovative products such as vegan gelatin alternatives to meet the increasing demand for plant-based, allergen-free, and ethically sourced ingredients. Vegan gelatin alternatives consist of plant-based substances like agar-agar and pectin that mimic the gelling and thickening properties of traditional animal-derived gelatin. For instance, in January 2023, Alland & Robert, a France-based food manufacturer, launched Syndeo Gelling, a 100% plant-based texturizing solution made from gum acacia and natural hydrocolloids. This vegan alternative to gelatin and pectin is ideal for use in confectionery, gummies, jelly sweets, and health supplements. Syndeo Gelling combines gelatin’s elasticity and non-stick qualities with pectin’s firmness, providing a unique texture that is less hard and more elastic than conventional pectin without any stickiness. It is neutral in taste, odorless, and colorless, offering food manufacturers a sustainable, versatile, and health-conscious option for creating premium plant-based products.

In November 2024, Tate & Lyle, a UK-based food and beverage company, acquired CP Kelco for an undisclosed sum. Through this acquisition, Tate & Lyle aims to broaden its portfolio of plant-based and specialty ingredient solutions to meet the rising consumer demand for healthier and more sustainable food and beverage options. CP Kelco is a US-based company specializing in gelatin substitutes.

Major players in the gelatin substitutes market are Cargill Inc., Archer-Daniels-Midland Company, Kerry Group Public Limited Company, Ingredion Inc., Darling Ingredients Inc., Glanbia Nutritionals Inc., Weishardt International, Ashland Inc., Tate & Lyle PLC, CP Kelco U.S. Inc., GELITA AG, Rousselot SAS, PB Leiner, Marine Hydrocolloids, NOW Health Group Inc., A.F. Suter & Co. Ltd., Special Ingredients Ltd., Nitta Gelatin Inc., Great American Spice Company, Niblack Foods Inc., AGARMEX S.A. de C.V.

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

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

Gelatin substitutes are alternative ingredients used in place of traditional animal-derived gelatin in foods, pharmaceuticals, and cosmetics. These substitutes offer comparable gelling, thickening, or stabilizing effects while accommodating dietary preferences or restrictions, including vegetarian, vegan, or religious considerations, thereby making products accessible to a broader range of consumers.

The primary types of gelatin substitutes include agar-agar, carrageenan, pectin, cornstarch, xanthan gum, guar gum, arrowroot, instant clear gel, and others. Agar agar is a plant-based gelatin alternative sourced from red algae. It serves multiple functions such as thickening, gelling, stabilizing, emulsifying, and binding, and is distributed through both offline and online channels. Its applications span food and beverages, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics and personal care, as well as industrial uses.

The gelatin substitutes market research report is one of a series of new reports that provides gelatin substitutes market statistics, including gelatin substitutes industry global market size, regional shares, competitors with a gelatin substitutes market share, detailed gelatin substitutes market segments, market trends and opportunities, and any further data you may need to thrive in the gelatin substitutes industry. This gelatin substitutes 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.

The gelatin substitutes market consists of sales of products including natural and synthetic sources, including seaweed extracts, plant-derived polysaccharides, and microbial biopolymers. 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 and 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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