Global Firming Agents Market - 2024-2031

Overview

Global Firming Agents Market reached US$ 4.02 billion in 2023 and is expected to reach US$ 7.7 billion by 2031, growing with a CAGR of 8.46% during the forecast period 2024-2031.

The global firming agents market is expanding, driven by increasing demand across sectors like food & beverage, cosmetics and pharmaceuticals. Firming agents are crucial additives that enhance texture, stability and shelf life in food products and provide firmness in cosmetic and pharmaceutical formulations.

The adoption of firming agents is further influenced by regulatory frameworks that ensure food and product safety. Agencies such as US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) have set standards to regulate firming agents in food and other products, thereby establishing quality and safety benchmarks. The move towards sustainable and clean-label components is transforming the market, prompting manufacturers to create innovative natural firming agents sourced from plants and minerals.

Asia-Pacific is becoming one of the fastest growing markets for home healthcare due to the increasing elderly population, adoption of technology and government efforts to decrease hospital congestion. Countries such as Japan, China and India are witnessing a surge in demand for home healthcare services, supported by government policies promoting elderly care at home. Japan, with one of the world's most rapidly aging populations, has seen significant investment in home healthcare technologies.

Dynamics

Technological Advancements and Clean-Label Trends

Innovations in firming agents are key growth drivers, particularly with the shift toward clean-label products. Innovative technologies are facilitating the creation of plant-derived and natural firming agents that are equally effective as their synthetic counterparts. The demand for clean-label and sustainable products has prompted manufacturers to focus on plant-derived agents like agar-agar and pectin.

Furthermore, clean label has increased by 25% year-over-year with meat substitutes, baking ingredients and flavoring, dry food and dairy as the leading categories driving the conversation, largely due to consumer preference for transparency in food labeling. Similarly, the World Bank estimates that by 2030, urban populations will make up nearly 60% of the global demographic, amplifying the need for ready-to-consume and preserved foods.

Government Support for the Food Processing Industry

Governments worldwide are actively supporting the food processing sector, providing incentives and funding that boost the firming agents market. For instance, US Department of Agriculture (USDA) aids local food production and processing sectors via grants and tax benefits, encouraging the usage of quality additives such as firming agents. European Union (EU) has allocated US$ 102 billion through the Horizon 2020 program to advance food preservation technologies and enhance additive safety.

Similarly, China's Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs has introduced policies to modernize food processing standards. This plan for 2021-2025 includes goals for food security, seed development and poverty eradication in rural areas. It also includes a section on "creating future foods", thereby encouraging the adoption of regulated firming agents. Additionally, higher incomes are expanding consumer spending power, allowing greater affordability of quality food products enriched with firming agents for improved texture and preservation.

Regulatory Challenges and Costs Fluctuation

Stringent regulations governing food additives, particularly in regions like North America and Europe, present a barrier to market growth. Compliance with food safety standards from agencies like the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) and US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) imposes high costs on manufacturers. Additionally, ongoing regulatory updates necessitate frequent adaptations in production processes, driving up operational costs and impacting market expansion.

Furthermore, Fluctuations in the prices of agricultural goods, influenced by climatic conditions and geopolitical tensions, impact the demand and affordability of firming agents used in preserving produce. With rising costs of fruits, vegetables and other perishables, food producers are increasingly cost-sensitive, which can limit the adoption of firming agents and hinder market growth in cost-competitive regions.

Segment Analysis

The global firming agents market is segmented based on type, application and region.

Demand for preserving texture, appearance and shelf life

In the fruits and vegetables segment, firming agents are crucial for preserving texture, appearance and shelf life. Firming agents, such as calcium chloride, are widely used in canned and packaged fruits and vegetables to maintain crispness and structural integrity during processing and storage. According to the Center for the Promotion of Imports Europe, In 2022, the import of processed fruit, vegetables and nuts reached a volume of 24 million tonnes at a value of US$ 46 billion, driven by consumer preferences for ready-to-eat and long-lasting food products.

This demand surge is particularly pronounced in regions where food security and supply chain stability are prioritized. In the United States, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) oversees the use of firming agents in produce, ensuring adherence to safety and quality standards to promote elevated consumption of processed fruits and vegetables. Meanwhile, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) mandates firming agents for preserving produce quality across the European Union, which is crucial given the region's high standards for food safety and consumer health.

Geographical Penetration

Established Food Industry in North America

North America leads the firming agent market, largely due to its established food processing industry and stringent food safety regulations. US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) strictly oversees the utilization of firming agents in food items, maintaining elevated levels of safety and quality. This regulatory supervision lays a solid groundwork for market expansion, as it encourages consumer trust and upholds uniformity among processed food products. Additionally, the presence of large food brands in North America creates a sustained market demand.

In Canada, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) oversees firming agents' use in food manufacturing, setting rigorous safety standards that bolster market expansion. The regulation assists in guaranteeing that firming agents are utilized properly to maintain food texture, aiding in market expansion in both retail and industrial sectors. Together, the FDA and CFIA's comprehensive regulatory frameworks reinforce the quality of processed foods in North America, strengthening the firming agents' market across the region.

Competitive Landscape

The major global players in the market include ProNatural Brands, Kalustyan's, Amaris Chemical Solutions, Ataman Kimya and Innophos, Food Ingredient Technology Co., Ltd., Hefei TNJ Chemical Industry Co., Ltd., Liaoyang Fuqiang Food Chemical Co., Ltd., Ronas Chemicals Ind.Co.,Ltd. and Zhejiang Wecan Biotechnology Co., Ltd.

Sustainability Analysis

Sustainability is increasingly becoming a focal point in the firming agent market as companies seek to adopt eco-friendly alternatives that meet environmental standards. The global movement towards reducing carbon emissions has catalyzed a shift towards plant-based and biodegradable firming agents, which are seen as viable solutions to mitigate the environmental impact of food processing.

According to the United Nations, transitioning to natural firming agents could significantly lower greenhouse gas emissions within this sector. In response to rising consumer demand for sustainable practices, firms are also investing in recyclable packaging and implementing green manufacturing processes that aim to reduce their overall ecological footprint. In addition to product innovation, companies are facing heightened scrutiny regarding their sustainability claims, prompting the need for transparency and accountability.

New regulations are being introduced globally to combat greenwashing and ensure that companies substantiate their environmental claims with credible evidence. Such regulations not only promote responsible marketing practices but also encourage firms to enhance their operational efficiencies through sustainable practices. The commitment to sustainability is expected to drive innovation and foster a competitive edge in a market increasingly influenced by environmentally conscious consumers.

Russia-Ukraine War Impact

The Russia-Ukraine war has had profound effects on the global firming agents market, causing significant disruptions across supply chains and affecting the availability and pricing of various raw materials. Essential agricultural products, like fruits and vegetables, that depend on firming agents for preserving texture and extending shelf life, have faced shortages and price increases due to the conflict.

Ukraine stands as one of the top global producers of agricultural products like fruits, vegetables and grains and the ongoing war has drastically affected exports from the area, resulting in shortages and rising prices for preservatives used in food storage. Additionally, the war has strained the production and distribution of certain chemicals necessary for manufacturing firming agents.

For instance, potassium and calcium compounds, frequently obtained from areas affected by the conflict, have experienced supply interruptions. As a consequence, manufacturers that depend on these components face increased operational costs, since they must now procure from different, frequently pricier, suppliers. As a result, the cost strains are transferred throughout the supply chain, affecting the prices of firming agents for both consumers and industries.

By Type

• Aluminum Sulphate
• Ammonium Aluminum Sulphate
• Calcium Chloride
• Calcium Citrate
• Calcium Gluconate
• Calcium Lactate
• Calcium Phosphate (Dibasic
• Calcium Phosphate (Monobasic)
• Calcium Sulphate
• Potassium Aluminum Sulphate
• Sodium Aluminum Sulphate

By Application

• Fruits & Vegetables
  • Canned
  • Frozen
• Meat & Fish Products
  • Canned
  • Frozen
• Others

By Region

• North America
  • US
  • Canada
  • Mexico
• Europe
  • Germany
  • UK
  • France
  • Italy
  • Spain
  • Rest of Europe
• South America
  • Brazil
  • Argentina
  • Rest of South America
• Asia-Pacific
  • China
  • India
  • Japan
  • Australia
  • Rest of Asia-Pacific
• Middle East and Africa

Key Developments

• In 2024, ICL produced FruitMag, a novel natural post-harvest citrus firming solution that replaces pesticides. It is an environmentally friendly, natural and healthy firming agent. The bulk of today's citrus fruits are treated with chemical fungicides, which increase shelf life by leaving residues in the fruit. The innovative product produced by ICL paves the way for a better future.

Why Purchase the Report?

• To visualize the global firming agents market segmentation based on type, application and region.
• Identify commercial opportunities by analyzing trends and co-development.
• Excel data sheet with numerous data points at the firming agent market level for all segments.
• PDF report consists of a comprehensive analysis after exhaustive qualitative interviews and an in-depth study.
• Product mapping available as excel consisting of key products of all the major players.

The global firming agents market report would provide approximately 54 tables, 50 figures and 202 pages.

Target Audience 2024

• Manufacturers/ Buyers
• Industry Investors/Investment Bankers
• Research Professionals
• Emerging Companies