Table of Contents
Introduction
New York, NY – January 16, 2025 – The global Gelatin Market is poised for significant growth, with its size projected to increase from USD 3.30 billion in 2023 to approximately USD 6.37 billion by 2033, reflecting a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.8% during the forecast period from 2024 to 2033.
This expansion is driven by rising demand across various industries, including food and beverages, pharmaceuticals, and cosmetics. In the food sector, gelatin’s role as a gelling agent, stabilizer, and thickener enhances the texture and quality of products like desserts, dairy items, and confectioneries. The pharmaceutical industry utilizes gelatin in capsule production due to its biocompatibility and ease of digestion, aligning with the increasing health consciousness among consumers.
Additionally, the cosmetics industry benefits from gelatin’s film-forming and moisturizing properties, which improve the texture and stability of personal care products. Market opportunities are further amplified by the growing consumer preference for natural and clean-label ingredients, positioning gelatin as a favorable choice. As a result, the gelatin market is expected to experience substantial expansion, meeting the diverse demands of these industries and contributing to its overall growth.

Key Takeaways
- In 2023, the global gelatin market generated a revenue of USD 3.3 billion, with a CAGR of 6.8%, and is expected to reach USD 6.37 billion by the year 2033.
- The source segment held a major share of the market, with the bovine segment leading with a market share of 33.6% in 2023, owing to the versatility of the bovine gelatin.
- By type, the type A segment accounted for a significant share of the market at about 65.3%. This is attributed to its superior gelling properties that promote seamless blending in food & cosmetics products.
- By function, the stabilizers segment among the other sub-segments held the largest share of the market at 41.3% due to the exceptional binding and gelling properties of gelatin.
- By application, the food & beverages segment accounted for the dominant share of the market at 55.2%, due to the rapidly surging demand for packaged and on-the-go foods worldwide.
- Europe dominated the market by acquiring 39.6% of its share in 2023 due to a high demand for bovine and porcine gelatin in the region.
Emerging Trends
- Clean Label and Natural Ingredients: Consumers are increasingly seeking products with simple, natural ingredients. Gelatin, being a natural protein derived from animal collagen, fits well into this clean-label trend. Its use in food and beverages is rising as manufacturers aim to meet the demand for transparent ingredient lists and healthier options.
- Pharmaceutical Applications: The pharmaceutical industry is utilizing gelatin more due to its biocompatibility and ease of digestion. It’s commonly used in making capsules and as a component in drug delivery systems, aligning with the growing need for effective and safe medicinal products.
- Plant-Based and Lab-Grown Alternatives: With increasing concerns over animal welfare and sustainability, there’s a notable rise in the development of plant-based and lab-grown collagen alternatives. These innovations cater to vegan and vegetarian consumers, offering sustainable solutions to traditional animal-sourced gelatin.
- Functional Foods and Beverages: There’s a growing incorporation of gelatin in functional foods and beverages aimed at health-conscious consumers. Products enriched with collagen peptides are marketed for benefits like improved skin and joint health, driving demand in this sector.
- Technological Advancements in Production: Innovations in gelatin extraction and processing are enhancing product quality and versatility. Improved methods lead to higher purity and functionality, expanding gelatin’s applications across various industries.
Use Cases
- Food Industry: Gelatin is widely used as a gelling agent, stabilizer, and thickener in products like gummy candies, marshmallows, and yogurt. Its ability to form gels and provide texture makes it essential in creating the desired consistency in many confectioneries and dairy items.
- Pharmaceuticals: In the pharmaceutical sector, gelatin is commonly used to produce capsules and tablets. Its biocompatibility and ease of digestion make it an ideal material for encapsulating medications, ensuring they are delivered effectively within the body.
- Cosmetics: Gelatin, particularly in its hydrolyzed form known as collagen peptides, is utilized in cosmetic products for its moisturizing and film-forming properties. It enhances the texture and stability of skincare items like creams and serums, promoting skin elasticity and reducing wrinkles.
- Photography: In traditional photography, gelatin is used as a binder for silver halide crystals in photographic films and papers. This application leverages gelatin’s ability to hold light-sensitive materials in an emulsion, crucial for image development.
- Bioprinting and Tissue Engineering: Gelatin-based hydrogels serve as bio-inks in 3D bioprinting for drug delivery and tissue engineering. Their biocompatibility and tunable properties make them suitable for creating scaffolds that mimic natural tissues, aiding in regenerative medicine.
Major Challenges
- Unstable Raw Material Supply: Gelatin production relies heavily on animal-derived materials like pig skin and bovine hides. This dependence makes the industry vulnerable to issues such as animal diseases, strict food safety regulations, and cultural or religious objections to animal-based products in certain regions. These factors can disrupt supply chains and affect product availability.
- Religious and Cultural Restrictions: In some cultures and religions, the consumption of animal-derived gelatin is prohibited or restricted. For instance, certain dietary laws forbid the use of gelatin sourced from specific animals, limiting market reach and necessitating the development of alternative products to cater to these consumer groups.
- Competition from Plant-Based Alternatives: The rise in popularity of plant-based gelling agents like agar-agar, pectin, and carrageenan presents a competitive challenge to traditional gelatin. These alternatives appeal to vegan and vegetarian consumers and are perceived as more sustainable, potentially reducing gelatin’s market share.
- Environmental Sustainability Concerns: The gelatin industry is under increasing pressure to adopt environmentally friendly production methods. This includes optimizing water and energy usage and improving waste management practices to reduce the environmental impact of gelatin manufacturing processes.
- Health and Safety Issues: There are concerns regarding the transmission of animal-borne diseases through gelatin products, such as bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE). Ensuring rigorous safety standards and transparent sourcing is essential to maintain consumer trust and comply with health regulations.
Market Growth Opportunities
- Rising Demand in Food and Beverage Industry: Gelatin’s versatility as a gelling agent, stabilizer, and thickener makes it indispensable in creating desired textures in products like gummy candies, marshmallows, and yogurt. As consumer preferences shift towards natural and clean-label ingredients, gelatin’s role in enhancing product quality and meeting health-conscious demands is expanding.
- Expansion in Pharmaceutical and Nutraceutical Sectors: Gelatin is widely used in the pharmaceutical and nutraceutical industries, primarily for encapsulating medications, vitamins, dietary supplements, and other active ingredients. Capsules made using gelatin are considered easy to swallow and less bitter, enhancing drug delivery effectiveness.
- Advancements in Biomedical Applications: Gelatin’s biocompatibility and versatile properties make it valuable in tissue engineering and wound healing. In tissue engineering, gelatin can be processed to create scaffolds that support cell growth and tissue regeneration.
- Emergence of Plant-Based Gelatin Alternatives: The growing inclination towards plant-based products presents a promising opportunity for the gelatin market. Manufacturers can explore and invest in research and development to create plant-based gelatin alternatives that mimic the functional properties of traditional gelatin.
Recent Developments
- Darling Ingredients Inc.: In March 2023, Darling Ingredients completed the acquisition of Gelnex, a leading global producer of gelatin and collagen products, for approximately USD 1.2 billion. This acquisition added five facilities in South America and one in the United States to Darling’s portfolio, with the capacity to produce 46,000 metric tons of gelatin and collagen products annually.
- Gelita AG: In April 2023, Gelita launched CONFIXX, a fast-setting gelatin aimed at revolutionizing fortified gummy production. This innovative gelatin, free of starch, offers a sensorial experience similar to starch-based gummies but with enhanced efficiency and cost savings.
- Nitta Gelatin Inc.: In January 2024, Nitta Gelatin announced the closure of its U.S. subsidiary, Nitta Gelatin USA, Inc., due to poor performance. The company plans to restructure its production systems by expanding the supply capacity of its cost-competitive sites in India to strengthen the earnings structure of its gelatin and collagen peptide businesses.
- PB Leiner: In January 2023, PB Leiner finalized a joint venture with D&D Participações Societárias, one of Brazil’s leading tannery groups. D&D Participações Societárias acquired a 40% minority stake in PB Leiner’s Brazilian plant (PB Brasil Industria e Comercio de Gelatinas Ltda). In March 2023, PB Leiner held an inauguration ceremony to mark the start of PB Leiner (Hainan) Biotechnology Ltd. This joint venture (80% owned by Tessenderlo Group) with Hainan Xiangtai Group is for the production and sale of fish collagen peptides based on PB Leiner’s technology.
Conclusion
The Gelatin Market is experiencing steady growth, driven by its versatile applications in food, pharmaceuticals, and cosmetics. This expansion is fueled by increasing consumer demand for natural and functional ingredients, as well as the rising popularity of protein-rich diets. However, challenges such as the growing interest in plant-based alternatives and concerns over animal-derived products may influence future market dynamics. To maintain momentum, industry players should focus on sustainable sourcing, product innovation, and adapting to evolving consumer preferences.
Discuss Your Needs With Our Analyst
Please share your requirements with more details so our analyst can check if they can solve your problem(s)
