Hydrocolloids Market: Processed & Convenience Foods Demand

According to IMARC Group's latest research publication, The global hydrocolloids market size reached USD 12.5 Billion in 2024. Looking forward, IMARC Group expects the market to reach USD 18.1 Billion by 2033, exhibiting a growth rate (CAGR) of 4.17% during 2025-2033.

How AI is Reshaping the Future of Hydrocolloids Market

• Smart Formulation Development: AI algorithms develop hydrocolloid blends with targeted textures and functionalities, accelerating the formulation process by 40%, and predicting stability in complex food matrices through molecular interaction modeling.
• 3D Food Printing: Machine learning is used to predict the exact amount of hydrocolloids to be utilized in bioprinting to produce tailored nutrition products and plant-based meat products with specific texture and physical properties.
• Quality Control Automation: For real-time detection of gel strength and viscosity, computer vision technology is employed. This technology also helps in predictive quality analytics, thus reducing product wastage.
• Supply Chain Forecasting: Predictive analytics can be used to analyze seasonality and consumer demand patterns in order to avoid disruption to supply chains in food, pharmaceutical, and other consumer product industries.
• Sustainable Sourcing Intelligence: The use of artificial intelligence to discover functional hydrocolloid substitutes from agricultural residues and marine algae as part of a circular economy strategy, to minimize ecological footprint throughout the hydrocolloid life cycle.

How Vision 2030 is Revolutionizing Hydrocolloids Industry

Saudi Vision 2030 drives the hydrocolloids sector for securing food and producing in a sustainable way. The Saudi government made an investment of SAR 20 billion so that it could build the Jeddah Food Cluster upon 11 million square meters of land. The Jeddah Food Cluster has 800 factories and will complete in 2035, with around 10 food activities. Infrastructure development supports demand. Hydrocolloids allow food producers to use stabilizers, thickeners, and gelling agents within food products. Over 33% of food made in Saudi Arabia goes to waste SAR 40 billion gets spent each year through Vision 2030 to fight against food loss and push items using hydrocolloids in order to make food last longer.

Access Updated Market Insights in a Free Sample Report

Hydrocolloids Market Trends & Drivers:

• The hydrocolloids market is projected to grow in response to global demand for convenience foods and processed food products within urbanizing regions. More consumers demand ready-to-eat meals and packaged food products. This situation drives the need for hydrocolloids. These hydrocolloids must possess different properties and characteristics to help stabilize products and prolong shelf life. Sixty percent of global consumers prefer to consume small meals or snacks throughout the day instead of three main meals a day. The Mondelēz International State of Snacking report shows that when products are easy to prepare, that matters to 65% of global consumers. For uniformity and in shelf life, manufacturers add xanthan gum, carrageenan and guar gum. Hydrocolloids emerge as primary ingredients because the bakery, dairy, confectionery, and beverage industries grow.
• Hydrocolloids have been gaining momentum over the years mainly driven by end-use industries' demand of natural and plant-derived food additives. Food producers source hydrocolloids naturally, and replace synthetic food additives, because of worries about health and sustainability. Gums, seaweed extracts, and pectin-based food ingredients see common usage as gelling agents, thickening agents, and stabilizing agents. Increasing vegan or vegetarian choices drive the trend. Hydrocolloids are also used in dairy alternatives, confectionery, and meat alternatives as substitutes for food additives from animal sources. In January 2025, 25.8 million people within 22 countries participated in Veganuary to try veganism, according to a study by YouGov and Veganuary. Companies use the natural source of hydrocolloids for attracting people who choose healthful foods or scrutinize product ingredient labels.
• Pharmaceuticals and healthcare is a further driver for hydrocolloids. Hydrocolloids are used as excipients in drug delivery systems to control release rates, modify bioavailability and stabilize the formulation or product. Hydrocolloid dressings are the most used class of dressings for its moisture-retentive and wound healing capabilities. An aging population and greater incidence of chronic diseases drive innovations in pharmaceuticals and lead to greater market demand for high-tech hydrocolloid therapy. Hydrocolloid treatments are increasingly being used within clinical practice by medical professionals because of their safety, biocompatibility, and clinical effectiveness. Hydrocolloids are also used inside cosmetics, mainly as thickeners, stabilizers, and emulsifiers in lotions, creams, shampoos, and gels.

Competitive Landscape:

• Agarmex Sa De Cv.
• Archer-Daniels-Midland Company
• Ashland Global Specialty Chemicals Inc.
• B. Braun SE
• Cargill Incorporated
• Carob S.A.
• CP Kelco U.S. Inc. (J.M. Huber Corporation)
• Ingredion Incorporated
• Koninklijke DSM N.V.
• Nexira
• Palsgaard A/S
• Rousselot (M) SDN. BHD. (Darling International Inc.)
• Tate & Lyle PLC

Hydrocolloids Market Industry Segmentation:

• Source Insights:
• Animal
• Botanical
• Microbial
• Seaweed
• Synthetic

Product Insights:

• Gelatin
• Xanthan Gum
• Carrageenan
• Guar Gum
• Others

Function Insights:

• Thickening
• Gelling
• Stabilizing
• Others

Application Insights:

• Food and Beverages
• Personal Care and Cosmetics
• Pharmaceuticals

Region Insights:

• North America (United States, Canada)
• Asia-Pacific (China, Japan, India, South Korea, Australia, Indonesia, Others)
• Europe (Germany, France, United Kingdom, Italy, Spain, Russia, Others)
• Latin America (Brazil, Mexico, Others)
• Middle East and Africa

Recent News and Developments in Hydrocolloids Market

• In June 2025, DKSH's Business Unit Performance Materials signed a service agreement to offer Polygal business development, marketing, sales, logistics and distribution services for natural polymers for cosmetics, skin care and hair care products serving core markets in Europe and North America. Polygal's natural polymers range from guar gum and locust bean gum to rice starch products.
• June 2025: Plant-based start-up Meala FoodTech and DSM-Firmenich launch Vertis PB Pea, a textured pea protein for meat alternatives. It seeks to target the growing market for clean label plant-based meat, increase nutrition, and replace modified ingredients such as hydrocolloids.
• In September 2024, Ingredion Incorporated launched FIBERTEX CF 500 and FIBERTEX CF 100 functional citrus fibers to create more texturizing and clean label applications for consumer-preferred products in the APAC market following their launch in the EMEA region.
• In May 2024, topical skincare manufacturer Crown Laboratories launched Sarna Bug Bite Patches, hydrocolloid dressings placed over the bite to reduce the urge to pick and scratch, with aloe, witch hazel and chamomile to soothe and protect the skin.
• May 2024: Nitta Gelatin India Ltd. and Kerala State Industrial Development Corporation Ltd. collaborated in order to strengthen the gelatin production in India by investing INR 200 crore in capacity expansion.
• In March 2023, gelatin supplier GELITA AG launched CONFIXX, its next-generation high speed setting gelatin that is expected to drive starch-free gummies in both the confectionery and clean label markets.

Note: If you require specific details, data, or insights that are not currently included in the scope of this report, we are happy to accommodate your request. As part of our customization service, we will gather and provide the additional information you need, tailored to your specific requirements. Please let us know your exact needs, and we will ensure the report is updated accordingly to meet your expectations.