The Global Food Humectants Market was valued at USD 3.42 Billion in 2024 and is projected to reach USD 5.87 Billion by 2032, growing at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 6.1% during the forecast period (2024–2032). This growth is being driven by increasing demand for processed foods with extended shelf life, the rising consumer preference for clean-label ingredients, and the accelerating adoption of natural and sustainable humectant solutions across the bakery, confectionery, and processed food sectors.

As the food industry transforms toward cleaner labels and sustainable growth, the spotlight is on the key ingredient suppliers who are driving innovation, efficiency, and improved product stability. In this blog, we profile the Top 10 Companies in the Food Humectants Industry—a mix of chemical majors, agricultural processors, and specialty ingredient pioneers shaping the future of global food preservation.

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🔟 1. Cargill, Incorporated

Headquarters: Wayzata, Minnesota, USA
Key Offering: Glycerin, Sorbitol, Propylene Glycol, and Natural Sweeteners

Cargill is among the world’s leading suppliers of food humectants, leveraging its vast agricultural supply chain to offer a diverse portfolio of moisture-retention solutions. Their food ingredients division serves global food manufacturers in bakery, confectionery, and meat processing, with significant investments in bio-based and clean-label humectant technologies.

Sustainability & Innovation Initiatives:

• Expanding production of plant-based glycerin and sorbitol

• Clean-label partnerships with major food and beverage brands

• Committed to sustainable agriculture and reduced water usage in production

Download FREE Sample Report: Global and Regional Food HumectantsMarket – View in Detailed Research Report

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9️⃣ 2. DuPont Nutrition & Biosciences

Headquarters: Wilmington, Delaware, USA
Key Offering: Specialty Humectants, GRINDSTED® Sorbitol, Danisco® Textural Ingredients

DuPont operates in more than 50 countries and provides advanced humectant systems for thousands of food products annually. It is a significant player in high-purity sorbitol and specialty polyols, aiming to meet both technical performance and clean-label demands in the food sector.

Sustainability & Innovation Initiatives:

• R&D in multifunctional humectants with texturizing benefits

• Collaboration with food manufacturers to optimize moisture management in reduced-sugar formulations

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8️⃣ 3. Archer Daniels Midland Company (ADM)

Headquarters: Chicago, Illinois, USA
Key Offering: Corn Sweeteners, Glycerin, Vegetable Glycerin, Fiber Solutions

ADM’s food ingredients division is expanding its footprint in natural humectants through its extensive grain processing capabilities. It is also engaged in developing fiber-based humectant systems to support health and wellness trends in food product development.

Sustainability & Innovation Initiatives:

• Targeting growth in plant-based ingredient solutions

• Humectant supply partnerships with health-focused food brands

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7️⃣ 4. Roquette Frères

Headquarters: Lestrem, France
Key Offering: PEARLITOL® (Mannitol), NEOSORB® (Sorbitol), NUTRIOSE® Soluble Fiber

Roquette is a European leader in polyols and starch-derived ingredients, serving both food and pharmaceutical sectors. The company is heavily invested in clean-label humectants, particularly through its wide range of non-GMO and plant-based polyol solutions.

Sustainability & Innovation Initiatives:

• Goal to increase capacity for sustainable polyols by 2026

• Europe’s largest producer of plant-based ingredients for food

Download FREE Sample Report: Global and Regional Food HumectantsMarket – View in Detailed Research Report

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6️⃣ 5. Ingredion Incorporated

Headquarters: Westchester, Illinois, USA
Key Offering: Starches, Sweeteners, Specialty Humectants (Polydextrose, Erythritol)

Ingredion’s global network delivers texture and moisture management solutions at more than 50 manufacturing facilities worldwide. The company provides clean-label humectant options and is advancing the application of sugar alcohols and soluble fibers in various food categories.

Sustainability & Innovation Initiatives:

• Offers a portfolio of clean-label, non-GMO humectants

• Targets sustainable sourcing for raw materials

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5️⃣ 6. Jungbunzlauer Suisse AG

Headquarters: Basel, Switzerland
Key Offering: Citric Acid, Gluconates, Xylitol, Erythritol

Jungbunzlauer is a global market leader in natural acidulants and specialty humectants like xylitol and erythritol, supplying major food and pharmaceutical companies worldwide. Its ingredients are known for their natural origin and high purity, compatible with organic and clean-label formulations.

Sustainability & Innovation Initiatives:

• Current production: 100% natural and fermentation-based processes

• Target: Carbon-neutral production initiatives across European sites

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4️⃣ 7. Tate & Lyle PLC

Headquarters: London, United Kingdom
Key Offering: Sweeteners, Stabilizers, Humectant Systems (Polydextrose, Soluble Corn Fiber)

Tate & Lyle serves the global food industry with a focus on sugar reduction and texture improvement, where humectants play a critical role. It is a key provider of humectant fibers that also deliver prebiotic benefits, particularly in beverages and dairy applications.

Sustainability & Innovation Initiatives:

• Commitment to health and wellness through reduced-sugar solutions

• R&D into climate-resilient agricultural sourcing

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3️⃣ 8. Foodchem International Corporation

Headquarters: Shanghai, China
Key Offering: Food Grade Glycerin, Sorbitol, Propylene Glycol, Maltitol

Foodchem is a leading supplier of food additives in Asia, distributing high-purity humectants to over 100 countries worldwide. It has developed a robust supply chain for both synthetic and natural humectants, successfully serving the growing processed food market in the Asia-Pacific region.

Sustainability & Innovation Initiatives:

• Expansion of pharmaceutical-grade humectant production

• Strategic sourcing partnerships to ensure supply chain resilience

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2️⃣ 9. Aditya Birla Chemicals

Headquarters: Mumbai, India
Key Offering: Glycerin, Caustic Soda, Epoxy Specialties

Aditya Birla Chemicals is a key player in the Asian humectants market, with significant production capacity for glycerin derived from biodiesel and vegetable oil refining. The company plays a vital role in supplying cost-effective humectants to the food, pharmaceutical, and personal care industries across South Asia and the Middle East.

Sustainability & Innovation Initiatives:

• Investment in green chemistry for humectant production

• Focus on water conservation and waste reduction in manufacturing

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1️⃣ 10. ICL Group (ICL Performance Products)

Headquarters: Tel Aviv, Israel
Key Offering: Phosphates, Specialty Minerals, Humectant Salts (Sodium Lactate, Potassium Lactate)

ICL specializes in mineral-based humectants and phosphates used extensively in meat and poultry processing to improve yield and shelf life. It is a leader in lactate-based humectants, offering solutions for moisture retention and microbial control in protein applications.

Sustainability & Innovation Initiatives:

• Development of next-generation, mineral-based humectants

• Circular economy initiatives in phosphate production

Get Full Report Here: Global and Regional Food HumectantsMarket – View in Detailed Research Report

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🌍 Outlook: The Future of Food Humectants Is Natural and Multifunctional

The food humectants market is undergoing a dynamic shift. While traditional humectants like glycerin and sorbitol still dominate in volume, the industry is investing significantly in natural alternatives, fermentation-derived ingredients, and multifunctional systems that offer additional health benefits.

📈 Key Trends Shaping the Market:

• Rapid expansion of natural humectant capacity in North America and Europe

• Consumer and regulatory push for clean-label and recognizable ingredients

• Integration of humectants with prebiotic fibers and protein fortification

• Food manufacturer-ingredient company alliances for sustainable formulation

Get Full Report Here: Global and Regional Food HumectantsMarket – View in Detailed Research Report

The companies listed above are not only supplying essential ingredients for food preservation—they’re spearheading the transition to cleaner, more sustainable food systems globally.