Top 10 Companies in the Natural Carotenoids Industry (2026): Market Leaders Driving Health and Color Innovation

In Business Insights
January 16, 2026

The Global Natural Carotenoids Market was valued at USD 791 Million in 2024 and is projected to reach USD 1.02 Billion by 2032, growing at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 3.8% during the forecast period (2025–2032). This growth is being driven by increasing consumer demand for clean-label products, the expanding nutraceutical industry, and advancements in sustainable extraction technologies for pigments derived from plants, algae, and microorganisms.

As the global market shifts toward natural ingredients in food, feed, pharmaceuticals, and cosmetics, the focus intensifies on the key producers who are pioneering innovation in bioactive compounds. In this blog, we profile the Top 10 Companies in the Natural Carotenoids Industry—a blend of multinational chemical giants, specialized biotech firms, and ingredient suppliers shaping the future of natural colors and nutrients.


🔟 1. DSM-Firmenich

Headquarters: Heerlen, Netherlands
Key Offering: Beta-carotene, Lutein, Astaxanthin, Canthaxanthin

Following its merger, DSM-Firmenich has solidified its position as a global leader in nutrition, bioscience, and sustainable ingredient solutions. The company offers a comprehensive portfolio of natural carotenoids, supported by extensive R&D and fermentation technology. Its products are critical for food fortification, dietary supplements, and animal nutrition, serving customers worldwide.

Innovation and Sustainability Initiatives:

  • Major investments in precision fermentation for sustainable carotenoid production

  • Commitment to 100% renewable electricity across operations

  • Development of heat-stable formulations for broader food applications

Download FREE Sample Report:
Natural Carotenoids Market – View in Detailed Research Report


9️⃣ 2. BASF SE

Headquarters: Ludwigshafen, Germany
Key Offering: Beta-carotene, Lycopene, Lutein, Astaxanthin

BASF is a major player in the carotenoids market, leveraging its strong chemical and biotechnology expertise. The company produces a range of carotenoids for human and animal nutrition, with a focus on stability, bioavailability, and meeting stringent regulatory standards across different regions.

Innovation and Sustainability Initiatives:

  • Investment in algae-based production platforms for omega-3s and carotenoids

  • Partnerships with food manufacturers to develop customized color solutions


8️⃣ 3. Kemin Industries

Headquarters: Des Moines, Iowa, USA
Key Offering: FloraGLO® Lutein, Lyc-O-Mato® Lycopene, AstaZine® Astaxanthin

Kemin Industries is a globally recognized provider of ingredient technologies for human and animal health. The company is renowned for its high-purity, scientifically-backed carotenoid ingredients, which are extensively used in dietary supplements and functional foods to support eye, skin, and overall health.

Innovation and Sustainability Initiatives:

  • Proprietary purification technologies ensuring high bioavailability

  • Sustainable sourcing initiatives for marigold flowers (source of lutein)


7️⃣ 4. Döhler GmbH

Headquarters: Darmstadt, Germany
Key Offering: Natural color solutions, Carotenoid blends, Plant extracts

Döhler is a leading global producer of natural ingredients, integrated systems, and technology solutions for the food, beverage, and nutrition industries. The company specializes in creating tailored carotenoid-based color and health ingredient systems from natural sources like carrots, paprika, and tomatoes.

Innovation and Sustainability Initiatives:

  • Acquisition of Nutrafur to strengthen natural carotenoid portfolio

  • Focus on clean-label and “free-from” ingredient solutions

Download FREE Sample Report:
Natural Carotenoids Market – View in Detailed Research Report


6️⃣ 5. Fuji Chemical Industries Co., Ltd.

Headquarters: Toyama, Japan
Key Offering: AstaReal® Astaxanthin, Beta-carotene

Fuji Chemical Industries is a pioneer in natural astaxanthin production through its proprietary microalgae (*Haematococcus pluvialis*) cultivation. The company’s AstaReal brand is a globally recognized standard for quality in the nutraceutical and cosmetic markets, backed by extensive clinical research.

Innovation and Sustainability Initiatives:

  • World’s first and largest controlled indoor algae production facility

  • Over 70 human clinical studies on astaxanthin’s health benefits


5️⃣ 6. Chenguang Biotech Group Co., Ltd.

Headquarters: Quzhou, Zhejiang, China
Key Offering: Paprika oleoresin, Beta-carotene, Lutein

Chenguang Biotech is one of the world’s largest producers of plant extracts and natural pigments, with a significant market share in paprika-derived carotenoids. The company operates vertically integrated facilities, from plant cultivation to advanced extraction, serving global food, feed, and cosmetic industries.

Innovation and Sustainability Initiatives:

  • Advanced CO2 supercritical extraction technology

  • Expansion of sustainable paprika farming partnerships


4️⃣ 7. DDW, The Color House

Headquarters: Louisville, Kentucky, USA
Key Offering: Annatto, Turmeric, Paprika, Carotenoid blends

DDW specializes in providing natural colors derived from agricultural sources. The company is a key global supplier of annatto-derived carotenoids (bixin and norbixin), which are widely used for coloring dairy, bakery, and snack products due to their excellent stability and vibrant yellow-to-orange hues.

Innovation and Sustainability Initiatives:

  • Development of heat-stable and acid-stable natural color solutions

  • Global sourcing network ensuring consistent supply chain


3️⃣ 8. Cyanotech Corporation

Headquarters: Kailua Kona, Hawaii, USA
Key Offering: BioAstin® Natural Astaxanthin, Hawaiian Spirulina

Cyanotech is a leader in microalgae-based nutritional products, cultivating *Haematococcus pluvialis* for astaxanthin and spirulina in the pristine environment of Hawaii. The company’s BioAstin is renowned for its high quality and potency, targeting the premium dietary supplement and cosmeceutical markets.

Innovation and Sustainability Initiatives:

  • 100% solar-powered cultivation ponds and processing facilities

  • Non-GMO Project Verified and sustainably harvested products


2️⃣ 9. ExcelVite Sdn. Bhd.

Headquarters: Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia
Key Offering: EVNol® Tocotrienols, Natural Mixed Carotenoids

ExcelVite is a premier producer of natural palm phytonutrients, including carotenoids complex derived from sustainably sourced Malaysian palm fruit. The company’s natural mixed carotenoids contain alpha-carotene, beta-carotene, and other carotenes, serving the dietary supplement and functional food industries.

Innovation and Sustainability Initiatives:

  • Pioneering sustainable palm fruit cultivation practices

  • RSPO (Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil) certification


1️⃣ 10. LycoRed Ltd. (A Givaudan Company)

Headquarters: Beer Sheva, Israel
Key Offering: Lycopene, Beta-carotene, Lutein, Tomat-O-Red®

As part of Givaudan, LycoRed is a global leader in natural carotenoid solutions derived from tomatoes and other natural sources. The company specializes in tomato lycopene and offers a broad portfolio of natural colors and nutrients for food, beverage, and supplement applications, backed by extensive research.

Innovation and Sustainability Initiatives:

  • Proprietary tomato cultivation and extraction processes

  • Integration into Givaudan’s global taste and wellbeing platform

Read Full Report:
Natural Carotenoids Market – View in Detailed Research Report


🌍 Outlook: The Future of Natural Carotenoids Is Health-Focused and Sustainable

The natural carotenoids market is undergoing a significant transformation. While traditional color applications remain vital, the industry is increasingly driven by health and wellness trends, sustainability imperatives, and technological innovation in production methods.

📈 Key Trends Shaping the Market:

  • Rising demand for plant-based and clean-label products across all consumer goods sectors

  • Expansion of microalgae fermentation as a sustainable production platform

  • Increasing clinical validation of carotenoids’ health benefits driving nutraceutical applications

  • Regulatory support for natural colors over synthetic alternatives in key markets

Read Full Report:
Natural Carotenoids Market – View in Detailed Research Report

The companies listed above are not only supplying vibrant colors—they’re delivering health-promoting compounds that support the global shift toward natural, sustainable, and functional ingredients.