The Global Food Grade Thickener Market is expected to reach US$ 15.3 Billion by 2030, with a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 5.8% from 2023 to 2030, based on a newly published report. This sustained expansion is fueled by the rising demand for processed and convenience foods, the growing consumer preference for clean-label and natural ingredients, and the continuous innovation in texture modification for plant-based and low-fat product formulations.

As the food and beverage industry increasingly relies on texture as a key quality attribute, the suppliers of food grade thickeners play a pivotal role in product development and consumer satisfaction. In this analysis, we profile the Top 10 Companies in the Food Grade Thickener Industry—a diverse mix of global chemical giants, specialized ingredient suppliers, and natural product innovators driving the evolution of food texture worldwide.

Download FREE Sample Report: Food Grade Thickener Market – View in Detailed Research Report

---

🔟 1. CP Kelco

Headquarters: Atlanta, Georgia, USA
Key Offering: Pectin, Xanthan Gum, Gellan Gum, Carboxymethyl Cellulose (CMC)

CP Kelco is a leading global producer of nature-based ingredient solutions, specializing in hydrocolloid thickeners derived from citrus, fruits, and fermentation. The company’s products are critical for achieving desired texture, stability, and mouthfeel in a vast range of food and beverage applications, from fruit preparations to dairy alternatives.

Innovation Focus:

• Development of specialty pectins for low-sugar and high-acid systems

• Expansion of sustainable and non-GMO product lines

• Tailored solutions for plant-based meat and dairy applications

---

9️⃣ 2. Cargill, Incorporated

Headquarters: Wayzata, Minnesota, USA
Key Offering: Starches (Corn, Tapioca, Potato), Lecithin, Carrageenan, Pectin

Cargill’s extensive portfolio of texturizing solutions leverages its massive agricultural supply chain. The company invests heavily in R&D to create modified and native starches that meet clean-label demands, providing viscosity and stability for sauces, soups, bakery fillings, and beverages.

Innovation Focus:

• Clean-label starch modifications using physical and enzymatic processes

• Investment in pea protein and other plant-based texture systems

---

8️⃣ 3. ADM (Archer-Daniels-Midland Company)

Headquarters: Chicago, Illinois, USA
Key Offering: Soy Protein, Starches, Gums, Fibers

ADM is a global nutrition powerhouse, offering a broad spectrum of ingredient solutions that include powerful thickening agents. Their expertise in oilseeds and grains provides a strong foundation for texturizers like soy protein isolates and specialty starches used in meat alternatives, dairy, and bakery products.

Innovation Focus:

• Integration of texturizing solutions with protein and flavor systems

• Development of sustainable, traceable ingredient supply chains

---

7️⃣ 4. DuPont de Nemours, Inc. (Nutrition & Biosciences)

Headquarters: Wilmington, Delaware, USA
Key Offering: GRINDSTED® Texturants, GENU® Carrageenan, So-Lite® Gum Acacia

Following the merger of DuPont’s Nutrition & Biosciences unit with IFF, the company remains a dominant force in food hydrocolloids. Its GRINDSTED and GENU brands are industry standards for providing consistent texture, water binding, and shelf-life extension in dairy, meat, and confectionery products.

Innovation Focus:

• Precision fermentation for producing novel hydrocolloids

• Solutions for sugar and fat reduction without compromising mouthfeel

Download FREE Sample Report: Food Grade Thickener Market – View in Detailed Research Report

---

6️⃣ 5. Ashland Global Holdings Inc.

Headquarters: Wilmington, Delaware, USA
Key Offering: Benecel™ Methylcellulose, Blanose™ CMC, AquaKeep™ SAPs

Ashland is a leading global supplier of high-value additives, including specialized cellulose-based thickeners. Benecel™ methylcellulose is particularly critical in plant-based meat products, providing fat-like juiciness and binding properties that are essential for consumer acceptance.

Innovation Focus:

• Plant-based texturizing systems for meat and dairy alternatives

• Cold-water-soluble hydrocolloids for convenient application

---

5️⃣ 6. Kerry Group

Headquarters: Tralee, County Kerry, Ireland
Key Offering: Starches, Gums, Proteins, Integrated Texture Systems

Kerry Group offers a comprehensive range of taste and nutrition solutions, with a strong portfolio of texturizing ingredients. The company excels at creating integrated systems that combine thickeners with flavors and proteins to deliver complete functional solutions for its customers in the processed food industry.

Innovation Focus:

• Clean-label texture solutions targeting health and wellness trends

• Application-specific systems for beverages, meats, and snacks

---

4️⃣ 7. BASF SE

Headquarters: Ludwigshafen, Germany
Key Offering: Vitapur® PG (Propylene Glycol Alginate), Other Food-Grade Chemicals

While primarily a chemical giant, BASF holds a significant position in specific segments of the food thickener market, particularly with its alginates. These seaweed-derived hydrocolloids are vital for creating stable textures in beer, desserts, and bakery icings.

Innovation Focus:

• Sustainable sourcing of marine-based raw materials

• R&D in bio-based and biodegradable polymer solutions

---

3️⃣ 8. Ingredion Incorporated

Headquarters: Westchester, Illinois, USA
Key Offering: PRECISA® Cling Thickener, NOVATION® Functional Starches, PURE-COTE® Binders

Ingredion is a major global provider of ingredient solutions derived from various starches. The company’s strength lies in its wide range of native and modified starches that provide viscosity, gelation, and stability, catering to the needs of the food processing industry across continents.

Innovation Focus:

• Expansion of clean-label and non-GMO starch portfolios

• Texture solutions for gluten-free and allergen-free products

---

2️⃣ 9. Tate & Lyle PLC

Headquarters: London, United Kingdom
Key Offering: Stabilizers, Starches (including CLARIA® Clean-Label Starches)

Tate & Lyle is a world-leading provider of food and beverage ingredients, with a strong focus on texturants and stabilizers. The company’s CLARIA® line of clean-label functional starches is a key innovation, allowing manufacturers to achieve desirable textures while using simpler ingredient declarations.

Innovation Focus:

• Leading the clean-label starch revolution with consumer-friendly ingredients

• Fibers and texturizers for sugar and calorie reduction

Download FREE Sample Report: Food Grade Thickener Market – View in Detailed Research Report

---

1️⃣ 10. Dow Inc.

Headquarters: Midland, Michigan, USA
Key Offering: METHOCEL™ Cellulose Ethers, WALOCEL™ CMC

Dow’s Food Solutions division offers high-performance cellulose-based thickeners that are essential for controlling rheology in a variety of food products. Their METHOCEL™ products provide thermal gelation properties that are crucial for vegetarian and vegan meat analogs, enabling them to mimic the cooking behavior of animal fat.

Innovation Focus:

• Advanced cellulose ethers for high-performance food applications

• Sustainable production processes and product traceability

---

🌍 Outlook: The Future of Food Grade Thickeners Is Natural and Functional

The food grade thickener market is undergoing a significant transformation. While traditional synthetic and modified ingredients maintain their utility, the industry is rapidly shifting towards clean-label, natural, and multi-functional ingredients derived from sustainable sources.

📈 Key Trends Shaping the Market:

• Strong consumer demand for recognizable, natural ingredients is driving the clean-label movement.

• Exponential growth in plant-based food and beverage categories creating new texture challenges and opportunities.

• Increased use of hydrocolloid blends to achieve complex texture profiles with synergistic benefits.

• Advancements in fermentation technology for producing novel and consistent texturizing agents.

Get Full Report Here: Food Grade Thickener Market – View in Detailed Research Report

The companies profiled above are not just supplying ingredients—they are enabling the textural innovation that defines the next generation of food products, from indulgent treats to health-forward alternatives.