Gelatin Market Global Industry Analysis & Forecast (2025–2030)

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The global Gelatin Market was valued at USD 6.5 billion and is projected to reach USD 13.14 billion by 2030, expanding at a remarkable CAGR of 15.1% during the forecast period (2025–2030). Rising demand for functional foods, nutraceuticals, pharmaceutical capsules, and clean-label ingredients is driving strong global growth.

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Industry Overview

Gelatin is a natural protein derived from collagen extracted from animal bones and skin, primarily from pigs and cows. It is rich in amino acids and widely used across:

  • Food & beverages

  • Pharmaceuticals

  • Nutraceuticals

  • Cosmetics & personal care

  • Industrial and photographic applications

Its unique properties — gelling, stabilizing, thickening, emulsifying, and foaming — make it indispensable in multiple formulations.

Growing health awareness, rising demand for collagen-based supplements, and expanding pharmaceutical applications are accelerating market expansion. Additionally, home cooking trends and DIY baking during the pandemic boosted gelatin consumption in desserts, confectionery, and dairy products.

Key Market Insights

  • In August 2020, PB Leiner introduced Textura Tempo Ready, a clean-label gelatin alternative that reduces preparation time by 50%.

  • Over 60% of gelatin consumption is concentrated in confectionery and dairy products.

  • The dietary supplement sector contributes more than 30% of global food-grade gelatin demand.

  • Approximately 25% of manufacturers are shifting toward fish-based gelatin to address halal, kosher, and sustainability requirements.

  • The 21st Century Cures Act, signed into law by Barack Obama in 2016, accelerated regenerative medicine approvals in the United States, boosting R&D for gelatin-based biomedical applications.

Market Drivers

1. Rising Demand for Functional Foods & Nutraceuticals

Consumers increasingly seek foods offering health benefits beyond basic nutrition. Gelatin, rich in collagen and amino acids, supports:

  • Joint health

  • Skin elasticity

  • Bone strength

  • Digestive health

The rapid growth of collagen supplements and protein-enriched foods, especially among aging populations, is fueling market expansion.

2. Expanding Pharmaceutical & Biomedical Applications

Gelatin’s biocompatibility and biodegradability make it ideal for:

  • Soft and hard capsules

  • Drug delivery systems

  • Tissue engineering

  • Regenerative medicine

  • Wound healing hydrogels

In December 2023, Darling Ingredients Inc. secured a patent for StabiCaps, a specialized gelatin formulation designed to enhance soft gel capsule stability.

3. Clean-Label & Natural Ingredient Trends

Consumers prefer transparent ingredient lists and natural additives. Gelatin aligns perfectly with clean-label demands due to its natural origin and multifunctionality in food processing.

Market Restraints & Challenges

Ethical & Religious Concerns

Animal-derived gelatin faces resistance from:

  • Vegan and vegetarian consumers

  • Halal and kosher dietary restrictions

This limits adoption across certain demographics.

Raw Material Volatility

Dependence on livestock by-products exposes the industry to:

  • Disease outbreaks

  • Livestock production fluctuations

  • Regulatory restrictions

  • Price instability

Rising Competition from Alternatives

Plant-based substitutes such as agar-agar, pectin, and carrageenan are gaining traction. However, these alternatives often lack gelatin’s superior gelling strength and texture-forming capabilities.

Market Opportunities

Sustainable & Alternative Gelatin Development

Companies are investing in:

  • Fish-based gelatin

  • Lab-grown collagen

  • Cell-cultured alternatives

In July 2022, Perfect Day acquired Sterling Biotech Ltd. to strengthen its production capabilities in alternative protein solutions.

Biomedical Innovation

Gelatin’s role in advanced therapies continues expanding, particularly in regenerative medicine and personalized drug delivery systems.

Growth in Health & Wellness Supplements

Increasing awareness around anti-aging, immunity, and preventive healthcare is driving demand for collagen peptides and gelatin-based nutraceuticals.

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Market Segmentation

By Source

  • Porcine (Pig Skin)

  • Bovine (Cow Skin & Bones) – Largest Segment

  • Fish & Poultry – Fastest Growing

  • Plant-Based Alternatives

Bovine gelatin dominates due to strong gel strength, wide availability, and broad industrial application.

Fish gelatin is witnessing rapid growth due to:

  • Halal and kosher compliance

  • Marine sustainability initiatives

  • Lower melting point and clarity advantages

By Application

  • Food & Beverages – Largest (55% share)

  • Pharmaceuticals

  • Nutraceuticals – Fastest Growing

  • Cosmetics & Personal Care

  • Industrial & Photographic

Food & beverage applications dominate due to gelatin’s role in confectionery, dairy desserts, marshmallows, and meat products.

Nutraceutical growth is driven by collagen supplements, aging populations, and preventive healthcare trends.

By Function

  • Stabilizer – Fastest Growing

  • Thickener

  • Gelling Agent – Largest Segment

Gelatin’s superior gelling capacity maintains its dominance in confectionery and dairy applications.

By Type

  • Type A – Derived via acid hydrolysis (porcine) – Fastest Growing

  • Type B – Derived via alkaline hydrolysis (bovine) – Dominant

Type B gelatin leads due to high purity and strong gelling performance across pharmaceutical and food sectors.

Regional Analysis

Europe – Largest Market (40%)

Europe leads due to:

  • Advanced food processing technologies

  • Strong regulatory standards

  • Presence of leading manufacturers such as GELITA AG and Weishardt

Asia-Pacific – Fastest Growing (35%)

Growth drivers include:

  • Expanding middle-class population

  • Increasing health awareness

  • Growing pharmaceutical manufacturing in China and India

North America (20%)

Strong demand for dietary supplements and pharmaceutical capsules drives the U.S. market.

Latin America (5%)

Countries such as Brazil are emerging growth centers, supported by players like Gelnex.

Middle East & Africa (5%)

Growth is supported by increasing halal-certified gelatin demand.

COVID-19 Impact

The pandemic created both disruption and opportunity:

Challenges

  • Supply chain interruptions

  • Raw material shortages

  • Reduced foodservice demand

Opportunities

  • Surge in collagen supplements

  • Increased pharmaceutical capsule demand

  • Growth in home cooking and baking

Overall, health-driven demand offset initial disruptions.

Recent Developments

  • March 2023: Darling Ingredients Inc. completed acquisition of Gelnex to expand global gelatin production.

  • September 2023: Strides Pharma Science announced the spin-off of its soft gelatin CDMO business into OneSource and Stelis Biopharma.

  • March 2022: Pura Collagen launched collagen supplement products targeting immunity and cognitive health.

Key Players

  • GELITA AG

  • Darling Ingredients Inc.

  • Nitta Gelatin Inc.

  • Weishardt

  • Tessenderlo Group

  • Sterling Biotech Ltd.

  • Lapi Gelatine S.p.a.

  • Gelnex

  • Juncà Gelatines SL

  • Trobas Gelatine B.V.

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Future Outlook

The gelatin market is positioned for strong, innovation-driven growth. Expansion will be fueled by:

  • Rising nutraceutical demand

  • Biomedical research advancements

  • Clean-label food trends

  • Sustainable sourcing initiatives

  • Emerging market consumption growth

With increasing R&D investments and diversification into alternative collagen production, gelatin is set to remain a core functional ingredient across food, pharma, and wellness industries through 2030.

 
 

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