Natural Gelling Agents Market

Natural Gelling Agents Market Outlook (2025 to 2035)

The global natural gelling agents market was valued at USD 3,740 million in 2024 and has been projected to expand at a noteworthy CAGR of 6.8% to end up at USD 7,724 million by 2035.

Natural gelling agents are the substances derived from natural sources, forming gel-like structures when mixed with liquids. Such agents are essentials in the food and beverage, pharmaceutical, cosmetic, and personal care industries.

The market demonstrates robust growth because of increased preference for clean-label products and the use of natural ingredients. In food applications, the shift from synthetic to natural ingredients has provided significant opportunities.

Added awareness about the sustainability as well as environmental concerns in relation to gelling agents has further strengthened the market position of natural gelling agents. The industry has seen massive product innovations, and manufacturers have developed specialized formulations for specific applications.

Also, the clean-label movement heavily influences product development strategies in terms of organic and non-GMO variants. The expanding applications in pharmaceutical formulations and the growing demand for plant-based alternatives in various industries also benefit the market.

In January 2025, CP Kelco has launched its Keltrol range of certified biodegradable xanthan gums, improving personal care formulations while focusing on sustainability. The ingredients are certified by COSMOS and NATRUE and are vegan, non-GMO, and cruelty-free, which means they bring ethical value without compromising performance.

• Between 2025 and 2035, the pectin is anticipated to create an absolute dollar opportunity of USD 1,091 million

Report Attributes	Details
Global Natural Gelling Agents Market Size (2024A)	USD 3,740 Million
Estimated Market Value (2025E)	USD 4,001 Million
Forecast Market Value (2035F)	USD 7,724 Million
Global Market Growth Rate (2025 to 2035)	6.8% CAGR
North America Market Share (2025)	35.8%
U.S. Market Growth Rate (2025 to 2035)	7.1% CAGR
Key Companies Profiled	Archer Daniels Midland Company; B&V SRL; Agro Gums; Cp Kelco; Dangshan Haisheng Pectin Co., Ltd; Gelita A G; Hindustan Gums & Chemicals Ltd.; Ingredion Incorporated; Naturex; Opal Biotech; Tate & Lyle; Other key players.

Historic Analysis (2020 to 2024) and Future (2025 to 2035) Pathway Analysis for the Global Natural Gelling Agents Market

The market for global natural gelling agents grew at a growth rate of 6.8% from 2020 to 2024, and by the end of 2024, it was valued at USD 3,740 million. The stringent regulations related to natural gelling agents is a major factor for the steady increase of the market during the forecast period.

Historical Report Attributes	Details
Market Size (2020A)	USD 2,859 million
Market Size (2024A)	USD 3,740 million
Historical CAGR (2020 to 2024)	6.5%
Forecast CAGR (2025 to 2035)	6.8%

• Short Term (2025 to 2028): Consumer health awareness and the demand for clean-label products drive immediate market growth. Food manufacturers increasingly replace synthetic gelling agents with alternative natural solutions to meet consumer demands for transparent ingredient listings. Trends are particularly apparent in high-end premium food products, organic offerings, and health-focused formulations. The adoption trend further boosts the growth of the market with the manufacturing of new applications across functional foods and dietary supplements.
• Medium Term (2028 to 2032): Technological advances in extraction and processing techniques are emerges as a primary growth drive in medium term. Better extraction techniques yield higher-quality products, thereby making natural gelling agents cheaper and more available. This phase sees more investment in research and development, directed toward improving the functionality and stability of natural gelling agents, especially in challenging applications such as heat-processed foods and pharmaceuticals.
• Long Term (2032 to 2035): Sustainability and circular economy principles become paramount in shaping market growth. Companies focus on developing sustainable sourcing practices and waste reduction in production processes. The period sees increased integration of blockchain technology for transparency in sourcing and processing. Innovation in biodegradable packaging solutions and eco-friendly production methods becomes a major focus, driving market expansion through environmentally conscious consumer preferences.

On the back of the aforementioned facts, the global natural gelling agents market is anticipated to grow at a CAGR of 6.8% during the forecast period from 2025 to 2035, according to the Fact.MR, a market research and competitive intelligence provider.

Market Dynamics

What are the Factors Propelling Global Sales of Natural Gelling Agents?

“Consumer Shift Toward Clean-Label and Natural Products”

The demand for natural gelling agents is influenced by the clean-label and natural products trend being increasingly preferred worldwide. Consumer’s health-conscious natures and dislike for synthetic additives have increased their demand for clean-label and natural alternatives such as agar-agar, pectin, and carrageenan.

The food and beverage industry, especially, has strong usage trends in plant-based milks, vegan desserts, organic snacks, and many other applications of natural gelling agents. Cosmetics industries also adapt to the agents in line with the trend for non-toxic and environmentally friendly personal care products.

“Growth of Functional Foods and Nutraceuticals”

The rising popularity of functional foods and nutraceuticals drives the market. Gelling agents are very important to achieve textures for protein bars, gummies, and dietary supplements made from gelatin and pectin. For example, the combination of bioactive collagen peptides with a gelling agent in joint health and skincare supplement formulations.

Aging populations and more emphasis on preventive healthcare are now more prominent worldwide, especially among the North America and European groups.

What are the Challenges Encountered by Manufacturers of Natural Gelling Agents?

“Supply Chain and Raw Material Sourcing Issues”

Raw material sourcing and procurement create some issues for manufacturers. Natural gelling agents, such as carrageenan and agar-agar, derived from seaweed, are victim to environmental conditions, like climate change, as well as over-fishing. Other geopolitical issues and restrictions in trade can also affect supply. As such, it is difficult for manufacturers to manage these costs without uncertainty in meeting the demand that increases day by day.

Country-wise Insights

Why is Adoption of Natural Gelling Agents High in the United States?

“Robust clean-label trends and stringent food safety regulations is expected to drive the market in United States (U.S.)”

The market in the United States is reached at USD 1,136 million in 2025 and is projected to expand at a CAGR of 7.1% through 2035.

The United States demonstrates high adoption of natural gelling agents driven by robust clean-label trends and strict food safety regulations. The presence of major food and beverage manufacturers, coupled with high consumer awareness about natural ingredients, creates substantial demand.

It has a developed research and development infrastructure to encourage innovation in the development of new applications. With the rising health-conscious consumer base and growing interest in organic and natural products, market growth in the United States is likely to increase further. Established distribution networks and a strong regulatory framework supporting natural ingredients are among the factors that drive market expansion.

Why is China a Lucrative Market for Natural Gelling Agents Manufacturers?

“Massive stainless steel production capacity and rapid industrialization make China a lucrative market for Natural Gelling Agents.”

The market in the China is estimated to reach USD 1,178 million in 2035 at a CAGR of 7.2%. This market is projected to generate a USD 591.2 million absolute opportunities from 2025 to 2035.

China is an attractive market for natural gelling agents manufacturers as it offers a dual advantage of being a significant producer and an emerging consumer market. The country has vast manufacturing capabilities, especially in seaweed-based gelling agents, and is a leading global supplier.

Domestic demand is driven by increasing disposable incomes and awareness about health and wellness. Favorable market conditions are provided by the adoption of natural ingredients in processing food products, as well as pharmaceuticals. Market growth is also driven by an increasing middle class and demand for premium products.

Category-wise Insights

Which type of natural gelling agent dominates the market share and why?

“Pectin emerges as a dominant natural gelling agent due to its versatile applications and consumer familiarity.”

Demand of pectin is projected to increase at a CAGR of 6.9% from 2025 to 2035. Pectin emerges as a dominant natural gelling agent due to its versatile applications and consumer familiarity. Its widespread use in jams, jellies, and confectionery products, coupled with clean-label appeal, drives market preference.

The growing demand for plant-based products further strengthens pectin's position, as it offers excellent gelling properties while meeting vegetarian and vegan requirements. Its stability in various pH conditions and compatibility with different food systems make it a preferred choice among manufacturers.

Competitive Landscape

Key players in the Natural Gelling Agents market are Archer Daniels Midland Company, B&V SRL, Agro Gums, Cp Kelco, Dangshan Haisheng Pectin Co., Ltd, Gelita A G, Hindustan Gums & Chemicals Ltd., Ingredion Incorporated, Naturex, Opal Biotech, and Tate & Lyle.

Companies devote a significant portion of their revenue to R&D to resolve problems and offer creative solutions to draw in new customers and stay competitive. Companies are developing customized offerings for issues that meet industry-specific needs to compete with other players.

• In November 2025, Tate & Lyle has recently launched a portfolio of sweetener and stabilizer solutions specifically developed for the Middle East, focusing on enhancing flavor, texture, and nutrition. The main products include EUOLIGO® FOS, which is a non-GMO dietary fiber, and TASTEVA® M, a stevia-derived sweetener. These solutions help with sugar reduction and healthier formulation to satisfy the growing needs of the region for better food and beverage products.
• In Septwmber 2024, Ingredion has introduced FIBERTEX® CF 500 and FIBERTEX® CF 100 to the APAC market as multi-benefit citrus fibers that enhance texturizing properties while featuring a clean label. These fibers, minimally processed and upcycled, replace traditional additives, supporting consumer demand for natural ingredients and promising to support improved texture and stability in a variety of applications that can help manufacturers create appealing, clean-label products.

Fact.MR has provided detailed information about the price points of key manufacturers of Natural Gelling Agents positioned across regions, sales growth, production capacity, and speculative technological expansion, in the recently published report.

Segmentation of Natural Gelling Agents Industry Research

• By Type :

  • Agar-Agar
  • Carrageenan
  • Pectin
  • Gelatin
  • Guar Gum
  • Xanthan Gum
  • Alginate
  • Locust Bean Gum
  • Gellan Gum
  • Konjac Gum
  • Others

• By Source :

  • Seaweed
  • Plant
  • Animal
  • Microbial

• By Application :

  • Food and Beverage
  • Pharmaceuticals
  • Cosmetics and Personal Care
  • Industrial Applications

• By Region :

  • North America
  • Latin America
  • Western Europe
  • Eastern Europe
  • East Asia
  • South Asia & Pacific
  • Middle East & Africa