A Global Look at Gelatin: An International Survey of Industry Usage

The global gelatin market is experiencing robust growth, with forecasts predicting its value will exceed USD 5.5 billion by 2032. This expansion is fueled by increasing demand from the food and beverage, pharmaceutical, and nutraceutical industries, where gelatin is prized for its unique functional properties. A recent international survey of 600 industry professionals conducted by GROW (Gelatin Representatives of the World) provides compelling insights into why gelatin remains an indispensable ingredient for manufacturers worldwide.

Core Strengths: Why Professionals Choose Gelatin

The survey highlights that gelatin’s popularity is not accidental; it is rooted in tangible performance and economic benefits. For B2B users, consistency and efficiency are paramount. The data reveals that industry professionals strongly associate gelatin with:

• Ease of Use (42%): Gelatin is straightforward to incorporate into a wide array of production processes.
• Product Performance (40%): It delivers consistent, high-quality results, a critical factor for brand reputation.
• Reliability (32%): Manufacturers can depend on gelatin for its predictable behavior as a gelling agent, stabilizer, and thickener.
• Low Cost in Use (34%): Beyond the purchase price, its efficiency in application makes it a highly cost-effective ingredient for large-scale manufacturing.

Dominant Applications: A Data-Driven Overview

The survey confirms gelatin’s versatility, showing its widespread use across multiple sectors. The Health & Nutrition sector is the most significant user, with 54% of participants working in this category. This aligns perfectly with the broader market trend of consumers seeking functional foods and dietary supplements for health and wellness.

Other key application areas include:

• Pre-cooked food (23%)—canned meats, cold cuts, sausages, instant soups etc.
• Dairy (21%)—yogurt, cheese, puddings etc.
• Desserts (19%)—Jellies, mousses, panna cotta, marshmallows etc.
• Gelatin-based delivery formats (18%)—Soft and hard capsules,Controlled release systems,drug targeting, gene carriers etc.
• Technical applications (15%)—Photographic films, light-sensitive materials, biodegradable membranes, scaffolds, medical gels, Cosmetics etc.
• Sweets (14%)—gummy bears, jelly candies etc.

The significant use in “gelatin-based delivery formats” underscores its critical role in the pharmaceutical and nutraceutical fields for products like hard and soft capsules.

The Sustainability Advantage: Gelatin as an Upcycled Ingredient

In an era of increasing environmental consciousness, the survey reveals one of gelatin’s most compelling attributes: its sustainability. A significant 79% of participants state that their use of gelatin has a positive impact on the environment.

This positive perception is closely linked to the concept of upcycling, with which 34% of users strongly associate gelatin. Gelatin production is a prime example of a circular economy model; it transforms by-products from the meat industry, which might otherwise go to waste, into a high-value, versatile protein. This practice not only makes effective use of limited resources but also aligns with the growing consumer demand for “clean-label” and natural ingredients.

The Competitive Landscape: Gelatin vs. Alternatives

While the market for plant-based alternatives is growing, the survey data indicates that gelatin maintains a strong competitive edge. Although many professionals have experimented with alternatives, only 29% currently use them. This suggests that for many applications, the performance, reliability, and ease of use of gelatin are yet to be matched by substitutes.

Conclusion: A Strong and Sustainable Future

The GROW survey, supported by external market data, paints a clear picture: gelatin is a high-performance, cost-effective, and reliable ingredient that is here to stay. Its dominance in the rapidly growing health and nutrition sector, combined with its strong sustainability credentials as an upcycled product, positions it for continued success. For B2B companies looking for a proven, versatile, and environmentally sound ingredient, gelatin remains the industry’s choice.

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