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Humectants Market Analysis

ID: MRFR//6409-HCR | 90 Pages | Author: Snehal Singh| April 2024

The Humectants Market is undergoing significant trends, reflecting the evolving landscape of the food and cosmetic industries, where humectants play a crucial role in maintaining moisture and texture. One prominent trend is the increasing demand for natural and plant-derived humectants. With consumers prioritizing clean-label products and seeking natural alternatives, there is a growing interest in humectants sourced from plants, such as glycerin from vegetable oils, honey, and aloe vera. This shift aligns with the broader movement towards natural and sustainable ingredients, as consumers become more conscious of the impact of their choices on their health and the environment.

Another key aspect shaping the Humectants Market is the rising awareness of the importance of skincare and personal care products. Humectants are integral to these formulations as they help retain moisture, preventing dryness and contributing to overall skin health. The beauty and cosmetic industry is witnessing an increased demand for humectant-rich products, including moisturizers, serums, and hydrating masks. This trend is fueled by consumer preferences for products that provide effective hydration while also addressing specific skincare concerns.

Moreover, the market is experiencing a surge in demand for sugar-based humectants as an alternative to traditional synthetic options. Natural sugars, such as sorbitol and mannitol, are gaining popularity due to their ability to attract and retain moisture, making them suitable for various applications in food and personal care products. This trend responds to the consumer shift towards healthier food choices and clean beauty products, where the avoidance of synthetic additives is a key consideration.

In the food industry, the Humectants Market is witnessing innovations in product formulations to address health and wellness concerns. Low-calorie and sugar-free products are driving the demand for humectants that provide sweetness and moisture without the drawbacks of traditional sweeteners. Humectants like erythritol and xylitol are gaining prominence as they not only contribute to the texture and moisture of food products but also serve as sugar substitutes, aligning with the growing demand for healthier alternatives.

Furthermore, the market is influenced by the increasing prevalence of functional foods and beverages. Humectants are being incorporated into products that offer additional health benefits beyond basic nutrition. For instance, humectants with prebiotic properties, like isomalt and inulin, are used to support gut health, adding a functional dimension to a variety of food and beverage products. This trend reflects the growing consumer interest in products that promote overall well-being.

Sustainability considerations are also playing a role in shaping the Humectants Market. With the rising awareness of environmental issues, consumers are seeking products that are not only good for personal health but also produced with eco-friendly practices. Manufacturers are responding by exploring sustainable sourcing options, eco-friendly production methods, and recyclable packaging, aligning with the broader industry movement towards responsible and environmentally conscious business practices.

Technological advancements are further contributing to the evolution of the Humectants Market. Innovative extraction and production methods enhance the efficiency of humectant production, allowing for more cost-effective and sustainable manufacturing processes. Additionally, research and development efforts are focused on discovering new sources of humectants and improving their functional properties, expanding the range of applications in both the food and cosmetic industries.

In terms of regional trends, the Humectants Market exhibits variations based on cultural preferences and regulatory landscapes. In regions where consumers prioritize natural and organic products, the demand for plant-based humectants is more pronounced. Conversely, in regions with a strong emphasis on convenience and functional foods, the market may see a higher demand for humectants that serve multiple purposes, such as providing sweetness and texture in addition to moisture retention.

Covered Aspects:

Report Attribute/Metric Details

Humectants Market


Humectants Market Size is Anticipated to Reach  at a 5.3% CAGR and reach USD 38.9 Billion by 2020- 2030.


Humectants are hygroscopic substances added to products to help retain moisture. They are widely used in food products, beverages, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, agrochemicals, and animal feed. Market growth can be attributed to the growth of application industries, rising demand for healthy food & beverages, surging demand for biodiesel, and fluctuating prices of sugar. Natural humectants are being consumed in large volumes in the food & beverage industry as they help in increasing product shelf life, imparting sweetness, and balancing the moisture content of products. However, the implementation of stringent regulations pertaining to the production and consumption of emollient and humectants, especially in the developed economies in Europe and North America, is hampering market growth. Humectant manufacturers must comply with the international quality standards set by regulatory authorities, which is creating hurdles to the growth of the global humectants market.


Segmentation


The Global Humectants Market has been segmented based on type, source, application, and region.


By type, the global market has been classified as glycols, glycerol, sugar alcohols, polysaccharides and alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs), and others. The sugar alcohols segment is expected to garner the largest market share and register the highest CAGR during the forecast period.


The global market has been segregated, on the basis of source, into natural and synthetic. In 2018, the synthetic segment accounted for the larger revenue share of the global market. However, the natural segment is projected to exhibit the higher growth rate during the forecast period of 2019 to 2024.


Based on application, the global market has been categorized as food & beverages, personal care, pharmaceuticals, and others. The food & beverages segment has further been divided into bakery and confectionery, dairy and frozen desserts, beverages, and others. The food & beverages segment is expected to account for the largest revenue share of the market and exhibit the highest growth rate from 2019 to 2024, with the bakery & confectionery sub-segment dominating the market.


The global humectants market has been studied with regard to four key regions—North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and the rest of the world.


The North American humectants industry has further been segmented into the US, Canada, and Mexico. The European humectants industry has been classified as the UK, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, and the rest of Europe. The humectants market in Asia-Pacific has been divided into China, India, Japan, Australia and New Zealand, and the rest of Asia-Pacific. The humectants industry in the rest of the world has been segmented into South America, the Middle East, and Africa.


Key Players



  • Cargill, Incorporated (US)

  • BASF SE (Germany)

  • Archer Daniels Midland Company (US)

  • DowDuPont (US)

  • Roquette Frères (France)

  • Ingredion Incorporated (US)

  • Ashland Global Holdings Inc. (US)

  • Barentz (Netherlands)

  • Batory Foods (US)

  • Lianyungang Dongtai Food Ingredients Co., Ltd (China)

  • Sweeteners Plus Inc. (US)

  • Galactic S.A. (Belgium)

  • Fooding Group Limited (China)

  • Nutra Food Ingredients LLC (US)

  • Brenntag AG (Germany)


Regional Market Summary


Global Humectants Market Share (%), by Region, 2018  Humectants Market_Image


Source: Secondary Sources and MRFR Analysis


Europe is projected to dominate the global humectants market during the forecast period owing to the surging demand for bakery products and confectioneries. Moreover, the high consumption of humectants in the animal feed industry is catalyzing market growth in Europe. However, the market in Asia-Pacific is expected to register the highest growth rate during the forecast period due to the expanding industries, where humectants and humectant products are widely used, in developing countries such as China and India.


Global Humectants Market, by Type



  • Glycols

  • Glycerol

  • Sugar Alcohols

  • Polysaccharides and Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHAs)

  • Others


Global Humectants Market, by Source



  • Natural

  • Synthetic


Global Humectants Market, by Application



  • Food & Beverages


    • Bakery and Confectionery

    • Dairy and Frozen Desserts

    • Beverages

    • Others


  • Personal Care

  • Pharmaceuticals

  • Others


Global Humectants Market, by Region




  • North America

    • US

    • Canada

    • Mexico






  • Europe

    • Germany

    • France

    • Italy

    • Spain

    • UK

    • Rest of Europe






  • Asia-Pacific

    • Japan

    • China

    • India

    • Australia and New Zealand

    • Rest of Asia-Pacific






  • Rest of the World (RoW)

    • South America

    • Middle East

    • Africa




Intended Audience



  • Humectants producers/processors

  • Food & beverage manufacturers

  • Personal care products and cosmetics manufacturers

  • Pharmaceuticals and nutraceuticals manufacturers

  • Animal feed manufacturers

  • Raw material suppliers and distributors

  • Traders, exporters, and importers

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