Emulsifiers Market

Emulsifiers Market Size

Global Emulsifiers Market size was valued at USD 9.22 billion in 2023 and is projected to grow from USD 9.82 billion in 2024 to USD 15.84 billion by 2031, exhibiting a CAGR of 7.07% during the forecast period.

The rising demand for processed foods is fueling the growth of the emulsifier market, as emulsifiers enhance texture, mouthfeel, and appearance while preventing ingredient separation, microbial growth, and staling, thereby improving product quality and extending shelf life.

In the scope of work, the report includes products offered by companies such as BASF, Palsgaard, Ingredion, Evonik Industries AG, Cargill, Incorporated, DuPont, RIKEN VITAMIN CO., LTD, Stepan Company, Puratos, The Lubrizol Corporation, and others.

The emulsifiers market is characterized by its widespread use in food, beverages, cosmetics, and pharmaceuticals. These ingredients are essential for stabilizing immiscible mixtures, enhancing texture, and improving product quality. Emulsifiers support food preservation by extending shelf life and enhancing appearance.

Advances in production techniques are fostering the development of healthier, cleaner-label products, meeting growing consumer demand and enabling innovative formulations across sectors.

• In September 2022, Kerry Group launched Puremul, a non-GMO, natural texture system designed to replace sunflower lecithin and mono- and diglycerides. This innovative emulsifier are engineered to meet the demand for clean-label ingredients, making it ideal for applications in baked goods and plant-based beverages.

The market encompasses the production and use of emulsifiers,  Emulsifiers help prevent ingredient separation, control microbial growth, and prevent staling, thereby enhancing product quality. Their versatility makes them essential in numerous applications, from processed foods to personal care products.

The market is segmented into by source, by end-use industry, by type, and by form, each addressing specific needs and applications across different sectors.

Analyst’s Review

The emulsifiers market is experiencing innovation and product diversification, fueled by manufacturers' focus on developing cleaner, more sustainable ingredients to meet evolving consumer demands. Companies are investing in research and development, expanding product portfolios, and forming strategic partnerships to enhance functionality, improve production efficiency, and ensure regulatory compliance.

Additionally, there is a notable shift toward natural, plant-based emulsifiers in response to the growing preference for clean-label, non-GMO products.

• In October 2024, BASF expanded its portfolio with the launch of Emulgade Verde 10 OL and Emulgade Verde 10 MS, both derived from renewable feedstock and suitable for sustainable personal care formulations. These new emulsifiers emphasize clean-label, eco-friendly ingredients, addressing the growing demand for mild, dermatologically tested products suitable for sensitive skin and microbiome-friendly concepts.

Emulsifiers Market Growth Factors

The surging demand for processed foods has contributed significantly to the growth of the emulsifiers market, as these ingredients enhance texture, mouthfeel, and appearance while improving product stability by preventing ingredient separation and microbial growth.

Additionally, they help extend the shelf life of food items by reducing staling and maintaining quality. As consumers prioritize convenience, long-lasting freshness, and consistent quality in processed foods, emulsifiers have become essential, thus fueling market growth.

Increasing regulations on food safety and labeling, particularly for synthetic emulsifiers, pose a significant challenge for manufacturers. As consumers demand shifts toward cleaner, more natural products, manufacturers must navigate complex and region-specific compliance requirements.

These regulations often include detailed ingredient disclosures, restrictions on certain synthetic additives, and guidelines for clean-label claims. To address these challenges, manufacturers should invest in research and development to formulate natural and plant-based emulsifiers that meet regulatory standards.

Additionally, improving transparency and labeling practices can help build consumer trust, while collaboration with regulatory bodies ensures continued compliance.

• Food and Drug Association’s (FDA) GRAS (Generally Recognized as Safe) program governs the safety of food additives, including emulsifiers. Manufacturers must provide scientific evidence to demonstrate that emulsifiers meet safety standards and pose no risk to consumers. This process ensures comply with FDA safety requirements.

Emulsifiers Industry Trends

The market is experiencing a shift toward natural and plant-based emulsifiers due to increasing consumer preference for cleaner, more sustainable ingredients. This trend is further supported by the growing demand for natural products in response to health, environmental and sustainability concerns.

Natural emulsifiers, derived from plants or other renewable sources, offer an alternative to traditional animal-derived emulsifiers, appealing to consumers seeking vegan, non-GMO, and eco-friendly options.

Manufacturers can expand their portfolios to include these ingredients, aligning with both regulatory requirements and consumer expectations for clean-label, environmentally responsible products. This trend is reshaping product formulations across industries, particularly food and beverages.

• In February 2023, researchers from the Indian Institute of Technology, Madras, discovered that latex from the Calotropis procera plant can be used as a sustainable, biodegradable alternative to synthetic emulsifiers. This natural stabilizer enhances emulsion stability and supports the growing demand for eco-friendly, plant-based products in industries such as food and cosmetics.

Companies in the emulsifiers market are expected to focus on research and development (R&D) to create emulsifiers that are both effective and environmentally sustainable. With growing consumer demand for eco-friendly and clean-label products, manufacturers are likely to prioritize innovation to reduce environmental impact.

This includes developing plant-based emulsifiers from natural, biodegradable, and renewable sources. Additionally, companies are exploring greener production processes to minimize waste, energy consumption, and chemical usage, ensuring emulsifiers meet both functional and environmental standards across industries such as food, cosmetics, and pharmaceuticals.

• In September 2024, Ingredion launched its FIBERTEX CF 500 and FIBERTEX CF 100 multi-benefit citrus fibers in the Asia-Pacific region. These citrus fibers offer clean-label emulsification and texture stability, catering to consumer demand for natural, non-GMO, and sustainable ingredients in food applications such as dairy, bakery, and vegan products.

Segmentation Analysis

The global market has been segmented based on source, end-use industry, type, form, and geography.

By Source

Based on source, the market has been segmented into plant-based, animal-based, and synthetic. The plant-based segment led the emulsifiers market in 2023, reaching a valuation of USD 4.12 billion. This growth is mainly propelled by the rising consumer demand for natural, sustainable, and clean-label products.

As consumers  increasingly prioritize health and sustainability, plant-based emulsifiers, derived from sources such as fruits, vegetables, and seeds, provide a cleaner alternative to synthetic emulsifiers. Derived from renewable resources, these emulsifiers align with the rise of plant-based diets, veganism, and clean-label trends.

Their ability to effectively stabilize emulsions without affecting taste or texture makes them highly appealing to manufacturers in the food, beverage, and personal care industries.

By End-Use Industry

Based on end-use industry the market has been classified into food & beverages, cosmetics & personal care, industrial, and others. The food & beverages segment secured the largest revenue share of 53.28% in 2023, primarily due to the increasing demand for processed and convenience foods.

Emulsifiers are essential for improving texture, stability, and shelf life, which makes them key ingredients in products such as baked goods, dairy, sauces, dressings, and beverages. With growing consumer demand for cleaner labels and natural ingredients, manufacturers are focusing on developing more sustainable and plant-based emulsifiers.

This shift, along with innovations in food formulations to meet evolving consumer preferences for healthier, allergen-free, and vegan options, has led to the growth of the food & beverages segment.

By Type

Based on type, the market has been classified into lecithin, monoglycerides & diglycerides, polysorbates, and others. The lecithin segment is poised to witness significant growth, registering a CAGR of 7.61% through the forecast period. Lecithin, a natural emulsifier derived from sources such as soybeans, sunflower, and eggs, is gaining immense popularity in the food & beverage sector. 

As consumer demand for clean-label, non-GMO, and plant-based products increases, lecithin is increasingly preferred for its versatility, natural origin, and health benefits. It improves texture, stability, and shelf life in products, including baked goods, dairy, and confectionery.

Additionally, lecithin is considered a healthier alternative to synthetic emulsifiers, offering benefits such as improved cholesterol levels and heart health, aligning with consumer preference for natural ingredients.

Emulsifiers Market Regional Analysis

Based on region, the global market has been classified into North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, MEA, and Latin America.

The Asia-Pacific emulsifiers market held a notable share of around 39.32% in 2023, with a valuation of USD 3.62 billion. This dominance is reinforced by the region's growing food and beverage industry, rapid urbanization, and increasing consumer demand for processed and convenience foods.

A large population, particularly in China and India, fuels high consumption of emulsifier-containing products, including bakery items, dairy, and beverages. Additionally, the shift toward cleaner labels and natural ingredients has led to a rise in the use of plant-based and non-GMO emulsifiers.

The regional market further benefits from a strong manufacturing base, low production costs, and increasing investments in the food industry, which support the expansion of the Asia-Pacifc emulsifier market.

The Europe emulsifiers is set to witness significant growth over the forecast period at a CAGR of 7.18%. This growth is stimulated by the increasing demand for clean-label, natural, and sustainable ingredients in food products.

Consumer preference for healthier, plant-based, and organic foods is leading to the  widespread adoption of emulsifiers in various applications such as bakery, dairy, and confectionery. Moreover, stringent food safety and labeling regulations in Europe prompt manufacturers to invest in innovative and compliant emulsifiers.

Additionally, the growing focus on product quality, improved shelf life, and rising demand for processed foodshave aidied the expansion of the Europe emulsifier market, prompting key companies to expand production capacity.

Competitive Landscape

The global emulsifiers market report will provide valuable insight with an emphasis on the fragmented nature of the industry. Prominent players are focusing on several key business strategies such as partnerships, mergers and acquisitions, product innovations, and joint ventures to expand their product portfolio and increase their market shares across different regions.

Strategic initiatives, including investments in R&D activities, the establishment of new manufacturing facilities, and supply chain optimization, could create new opportunities for market growth.

List of Key Companies in Emulsifiers Market

• Hamamatsu Photonics K.K.
• Carl Zeiss AG
• Olympus Corporation
• PerkinElmer, Inc.
• Becton, Dickinson and Company (BD)
• Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc.
• Bruker Corporation
• Nikon Corporation
• Leica Microsystems GmbH
• Agilent Technologies, Inc.

Key Industry Developments

• September 2022 (Partnership): BASF partnered with RiKarbon Inc. to commercialize bio-based, biodegradable emollients derived from bio-waste. This collaboration aims to provide sustainable eco-friendly alternatives for emulsifiers in personal care formulations, addressing the growing consumer demand for sustainable, high-performance ingredients in the cosmetics industry.

The global emulsifiers market has been segmented as:

By Source

• Plant-based
• Animal-based
• Synthetic

By End-Use Industry

• Food & Beverages
• Cosmetics & Personal Care
• Industrial
• Others

By Type

• Lecithin
• Monoglycerides & Diglycerides
• Polysorbates
• Others

By Form

• Solid 
• Liquid
• Powder

By Region

• North America
  • U.S.
  • Canada
  • Mexico
• Europe
  • France
  • UK
  • Spain
  • Germany
  • Italy
  • Russia
  • Rest of Europe
• Asia-Pacific
  • China
  • Japan
  • India
  • South Korea
  • Rest of Asia-Pacific
• Middle East & Africa
  • GCC
  • North Africa
  • South Africa
  • Rest of Middle East & Africa
• Latin America
  • Brazil
  • Argentina
  • Rest of Latin America