Top 10 Companies in the Binders Excipients Industry (2026): Key Players Shaping Pharmaceutical Formulations

In Business Insights
January 16, 2026






The Global Binders Excipients Market was valued at USD 1.19 Billion in 2024 and is projected to reach USD 2.15 Billion by 2032, growing at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 5.8% during the forecast period (2025–2032). This growth is driven by rising pharmaceutical production, expansion of generic and over-the-counter (OTC) drug markets, and the advancement of functional excipients for complex drug formulations.

As the pharmaceutical industry evolves toward patient-centric drug design and advanced delivery systems, the role of high-performance binders becomes increasingly critical. In this blog, we profile the Top 10 Companies in the Binders Excipients Industry—a diverse group of specialty chemical giants and innovation leaders who are defining the future of pharmaceutical formulation science.


🔟 1. Ashland Global Holdings Inc.

Headquarters: Wilmington, Delaware, USA
Key Offering: Cellulose-based polymers (e.g., Klucel®, Benecel™), Synthetic polymers

Ashland is a premier global supplier of pharmaceutical excipients, renowned for its extensive portfolio of binders that ensure tablet cohesiveness and controlled drug release. Their products are essential for a wide range of solid and semi-solid dosage forms, serving major pharmaceutical companies worldwide.

Innovation Initiatives:

  • Development of multifunctional excipient systems

  • Investment in sustainable and bio-based binder solutions

  • Global technical support and formulation expertise

Download FREE Sample Report: Binders Excipients Market – View in Detailed Research Report


9️⃣ 2. BASF SE

Headquarters: Ludwigshafen, Germany
Key Offering: Kollicoat®, Kollicoat® IR, Ludipress®

BASF is a leading chemical company with a strong focus on pharmaceutical solutions, offering a comprehensive range of binder excipients that enhance drug solubility and stability. Their products are critical for modern tablet manufacturing and advanced drug delivery systems.

Innovation Initiatives:

  • Launch of novel excipients with enhanced compressibility (2024)

  • Research in co-processed excipients for streamlined formulation


8️⃣ 3. Colorcon, Inc.

Headquarters: Harleysville, Pennsylvania, USA
Key Offering: Film coating systems, Binder excipients (e.g., Starch 1500®)

Colorcon specializes in excipients for the pharmaceutical and nutritional industries, with a strong reputation for high-quality binder systems. Their products are designed to improve manufacturing efficiency and final product performance.

Innovation Initiatives:

  • Expertise in immediate-release and modified-release formulations

  • Global network of technical service centers


7️⃣ 4. Croda International Plc

Headquarters: Snaith, East Yorkshire, UK
Key Offering: Natural-based excipients, Bio-compatible binders

Croda International focuses on creating high-performance ingredients from natural resources, offering binder excipients that meet the growing demand for sustainable and safe pharmaceutical ingredients. Their products are known for purity and biocompatibility.

Innovation Initiatives:

  • Emphasis on green chemistry and sustainability

  • Development of excipients for biologics and novel formulations

Download FREE Sample Report: Binders Excipients Market – View in Detailed Research Report


6️⃣ 5. Dow Chemical Company

Headquarters: Midland, Michigan, USA
Key Offering: Methocel™ (HPMC), Ethocel™ (Ethylcellulose), Polyox™

Dow is a global materials science leader providing essential binder excipients used in controlled-release and immediate-release pharmaceutical formulations. Their polymer-based binders are widely used in tablet manufacturing across the industry.

Innovation Initiatives:

  • Advanced polymer technologies for drug delivery

  • Focus on solubility enhancement and bioavailability improvement


5️⃣ 6. DuPont de Nemours, Inc.

Headquarters: Wilmington, Delaware, USA
Key Offering: METHOCEL™ cellulose ethers, Binder dispersions

DuPont offers a robust portfolio of pharmaceutical excipients, including high-quality binders that provide excellent tableting properties and drug release characteristics. Their products serve both conventional and advanced drug delivery applications.

Innovation Initiatives:

  • Development of excipients for hot-melt extrusion

  • Solutions for poorly soluble APIs


4️⃣ 7. Merck KGaA (EMD Millipore)

Headquarters: Darmstadt, Germany
Key Offering: Pharmaceutical excipients, High-purity binders

Merck KGaA, through its EMD Millipore business, provides high-quality excipients for the pharmaceutical industry, including specialized binders for critical formulations. Their products meet stringent quality standards for global regulatory compliance.

Innovation Initiatives:

  • Investment in excipient quality and consistency

  • Support for advanced therapeutic formulations


3️⃣ 8. Roquette Frères

Headquarters: Lestrem, France
Key Offering: Starch-based excipients, Pearlitol® (Mannitol), Lycatab®

Roquette is a global leader in plant-based ingredients, offering natural binder excipients derived from corn, wheat, and peas. Their products are valued for their clean label appeal and excellent technical performance in pharmaceutical applications.

Innovation Initiatives:

  • Focus on natural and sustainable excipient solutions

  • Development of co-processed excipients for direct compression

Download FREE Sample Report: Binders Excipients Market – View in Detailed Research Report


2️⃣ 9. Shin-Etsu Chemical Co., Ltd.

Headquarters: Tokyo, Japan
Key Offering: Metolose® (HPMC), Pharmaceutical cellulose derivatives

Shin-Etsu is a leading manufacturer of cellulose-based pharmaceutical excipients, providing high-quality binders for tablet formulations. Their products are known for consistent quality and reliability in global pharmaceutical manufacturing.

Innovation Initiatives:

  • Expansion of excipient manufacturing capacity

  • Development of specialty cellulose derivatives


1️⃣ 10. JRS PHARMA

Headquarters: Rosenberg, Germany
Key Offering: Vivastar® (Povidone), Vivapur® (Microcrystalline Cellulose)

JRS PHARMA specializes in natural excipients for the pharmaceutical industry, offering a comprehensive range of binder products derived from renewable raw materials. Their expertise spans traditional and modern pharmaceutical applications.

Innovation Initiatives:

  • Focus on natural and organic excipient solutions

  • Development of multifunctional excipient systems

Get Full Report Here: Binders Excipients Market – View in Detailed Research Report


🌍 Outlook: The Future of Binders Excipients Is Smarter and More Functional

The binders excipients market is undergoing a significant transformation. While traditional binders continue to dominate in volume, the industry is increasingly investing in multifunctional excipients, advanced formulation technologies, and sustainable ingredient solutions.

📈 Key Trends Shaping the Market:

  • Rapid adoption of co-processed excipients for streamlined manufacturing

  • Growing demand for natural and bio-based binder solutions

  • Advancements in excipient functionality for complex drug delivery systems

  • Increased regulatory focus on excipient quality and safety standards

Get Full Report Here: Binders Excipients Market – View in Detailed Research Report

The companies listed above are not only supplying essential formulation ingredients—they’re driving the innovation revolution in pharmaceutical manufacturing and drug delivery science.