India Hydrocolloids Market Outlook to 2028

India Hydrocolloids Market Overview

The India Hydrocolloids Market was valued at USD 142 million. The market is expanding due to its wide applications in food and beverages, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and agriculture. The growing consumer demand for clean-label products and natural ingredients has been a major factor driving market growth.

Major players in the market include Cargill India, Kerry Group, CP Kelco, Du Pont Nutrition & Biosciences, and Ashland Inc. These companies dominate the market through a combination of strategic partnerships, innovative product development, and a focus on catering to the growing demand for natural and plant-based hydrocolloids.

In December 2023, Cargill Indias Innovation Center launched several food solutions tailored for the Indian market, including Protex DS, a wheat gluten substitute for bakers, and Elite Choice, Indias first flavored, aerated cookie shortening. These innovations reflect Cargill's commitment to leveraging global expertise for local market needs.

Maharashtra emerged as the leading region for hydrocolloids production, due to the state's well-established food processing industry, extensive agricultural base, and access to raw materials such as guar and locust bean gum. The presence of major food manufacturers and a strong export infrastructure.

India Hydrocolloids Market Segmentation

The market is segmented into various factors like product, end-user, and region.

By Product: The market is segmented by product into Gelatin, Pectin, Agar, Carrageenan, Xanthan Gum, and Guar Gum. Guar Gum held the largest market share due to its wide use in the food and beverage industry for its gelling, thickening, and stabilizing properties.

By End-User: The market is segmented by end-user into Food & Beverages, Pharmaceuticals, Cosmetics, and Agriculture. The Food & Beverages segment held the largest market share, by the growing need for natural stabilizers and thickeners in processed foods.

By Region: The market is segmented by region into North, South, East, and West. The West region, held the largest market share due to its strong food processing industry. The presence of major food manufacturers and a strong export infrastructure has helped Maharashtra maintain its position as a key player in the market.

India Hydrocolloids Market Competitive Landscape

Company Name

Established

Headquarters

Cargill India

1987

Gurgaon, India

Kerry Group

1972

Tralee, Ireland

CP Kelco

2000

Atlanta, USA

Du Pont Nutrition

1802

Wilmington, USA

Ashland Inc.

1924

Covington, USA

Cargill India: In October 2023, Cargill partnered with Japanese companies Unitec Foods and Fuji Nihon Seito Corporation to expand food ingredient solutions across the Asia-Pacific region. This collaboration will focus on integrating expertise from Cargill's Innovation Center and Japanese facilities to enhance pectin-based product offerings in Southeast Asia.

Nexira: In August 2022, Nexira acquired UNIPEKTIN Ingredients AG, a Swiss company specializing in natural hydrocolloids and premium ingredients. This acquisition is a strategic move to enhance Nexira's product portfolio in the food, nutrition, and health industries, enabling further growth and expansion into high-value markets.

India Hydrocolloids Market Analysis

Market Growth Drivers

Rising Demand for Natural Food Additives: In July 2024, the Ministry of Food Processing Industries approved 588 food processing units and 399 cold chain projects under the Pradhan Mantri Kisan SAMPADA Yojana. This initiative enhances the hydrocolloids market by improving infrastructure, reducing agricultural waste, and promoting processed food exports.

Expanding Pharmaceutical Industry: India's pharmaceutical sector continues to be a key driver of the hydrocolloids market, with over 3,000 pharma companies and 10,500 manufacturing facilities fueling demand for hydrocolloids like gelatin in drug formulations. In 2024, India's pharmaceutical market is expected to generate significant revenue, contributing to robust growth in hydrocolloid usage in drug delivery systems.

Growing Focus on Functional Foods: The health-conscious consumer base in India is rapidly expanding, with functional food consumption increased in 2024. This shift is driving the use of hydrocolloids like pectin and guar gum, which are critical in low-fat, low-sugar, and fiber-rich food products. Hydrocolloids play a crucial role in enhancing the texture and nutritional value of these foods, contributing to the markets sustained growth.

Market Challenges

Limited Awareness Among End-Users: Despite the increasing demand for natural and functional food products, there is still limited awareness among Indian consumers and manufacturers regarding the full potential of hydrocolloids. In rural and semi-urban areas, hydrocolloids are not widely used in food processing, which limits the markets growth potential.

Competition from Synthetic Alternatives: Although the demand for natural hydrocolloids is rising, synthetic alternatives, such as modified starches and cellulose, continue to pose strong competition. In 2024, the synthetic alternatives market reached INR 4,000 crore, which affects the hydrocolloids industry share, particularly in the pharmaceutical and cosmetics industries, where cost-effective alternatives are highly sought after.

Government Initiatives

National Seaweed Mission (2023): The Indian government launched the ambitious Seaweed Mission in 2021 to promote sustainable seaweed cultivation along its 7,500-km coastline. The mission aims to increase seaweed production from the current 30,000 tonnes to 11 million tonnes by 2025, creating employment for 50 million people and contributing to the national GDP.

Production-Linked Incentive Scheme (2024): The Indian governments Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme for the food processing sector, is encouraging the adoption of innovative food ingredients, including natural hydrocolloids. This scheme incentivizes manufacturers to invest in R&D for new product formulations using hydrocolloids, further expanding their market application.

India Hydrocolloids Market Future Outlook

The market is expected to witness increased adoption of plant-based hydrocolloids, growth in pharmaceutical applications, a focus on sustainability, and technological innovations in production processes over the next five years.

Future Market Trends

Growth in Pharmaceutical Applications: Hydrocolloids like gelatin and carrageenan will play an increasingly critical role in Indias pharmaceutical industry. With the continued expansion of the sector, these hydrocolloids will be integral to the development of new drug formulations, particularly in tablet binding and controlled-release technologies.

Technological Innovations in Production: Technological advancements in hydrocolloid extraction and processing will drive market growth over the next five years. By 2028, innovations in the extraction of pectin and carrageenan from natural sources like fruit peels and seaweed will reduce production costs and improve the efficiency of the supply chain, contributing to market expansion.
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