Top 10 Companies in the Hydrocolloids Thickening Agents Industry (2025): Market Leaders Shaping Food and Industrial Solutions

In Business Insights
August 15, 2025

The Global Hydrocolloids Thickening Agents Market was valued at USD 9.82 Billion in 2023 and is projected to reach USD 14.57 Billion by 2030, growing at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 5.8% during the forecast period (2024–2030). This expansion is driven by rising demand for processed foods, pharmaceutical formulations requiring specialized excipients, and the booming clean-label ingredients movement across multiple industries.

As food science evolves with stricter regulations and consumer preferences shift toward natural ingredients, hydrocolloid manufacturers are increasingly focusing on sustainable R&D and production optimization. This analysis examines the Top 10 Companies in the Hydrocolloids Thickening Agents Industry—pioneers across food technology, specialty chemicals, and biotechnology that are redefining texture modification across applications.


🔟 1. CP Kelco

Headquarters: Atlanta, Georgia, USA
Key Offering: Pectin, Xanthan Gum, Gellan Gum

A J.M. Huber Corporation subsidiary, CP Kelco operates 18 global facilities and leads the pectin market with applications spanning dairy alternatives, pharmaceutical coatings, and personal care products. The company holds 160+ formulation patents.

Innovation Highlights:

  • Developed sugar-reduction systems for beverage applications

  • Launched next-generation carrageenan stabilization technology

  • Awarded 2023 IFT Food Innovation Award

Download FREE Sample Report: https://www.24chemicalresearch.com/download-sample/214872/hydrocolloids-thickening-agents-market-2023-2029-613


9️⃣ 2. Ingredion Incorporated

Headquarters: Westchester, Illinois, USA
Key Offering: Modified starches, Native starches, Textured proteins

With 50+ production plants worldwide, Ingredion supplies starch-based texturizers to food manufacturers in 120+ countries. The company has particular expertise in plant-based meat alternatives and gluten-free formulations.

Innovation Highlights:

  • Patented clean-label starch modification processes

  • Expanded tapioca starch capacity in Asia Pacific (2023)


8️⃣ 3. Cargill Incorporated

Headquarters: Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
Key Offering: Carrageenan, Pectin, Functional starches

Cargill’s vertically integrated hydrocolloid division sources raw materials from sustainable seaweed farms and grain processing facilities globally. The company holds 22% market share in meat alternative texturizers.

Innovation Highlights:

  • Introduced plant-based texture systems for alt-protein

  • Developed cold-process soluble starches (2022 patent)


7️⃣ 4. DuPont de Nemours, Inc.

Headquarters: Wilmington, Delaware, USA
Key Offering: Cellulose derivatives, Alginate systems, Guar gum

DuPont Nutrition & Biosciences provides specialized hydrocolloid solutions through its GRINDSTED® brand, with particular strength in dairy stabilization and baked goods applications across 80+ countries.

Innovation Highlights:

  • Pioneered fat reduction systems for dairy products

  • Expanded microcrystalline cellulose production (2023)

Download FREE Sample Report: https://www.24chemicalresearch.com/download-sample/214872/hydrocolloids-thickening-agents-market-2023-2029-613


6️⃣ 5. Ashland Global Holdings Inc.

Headquarters: Wilmington, Delaware, USA
Key Offering: Cellulose ethers, Pharmagrade binders

Ashland manufactures pharmaceutical-grade hydrocolloids controlling 28% of the tablet excipients market. The company operates GMP-certified facilities in North America and Europe.

Innovation Highlights:

  • Launched BIOGUM™ natural thickeners line

  • Developed extended-release drug delivery systems


5️⃣ 6. BASF SE

Headquarters: Ludwigshafen, Germany
Key Offering: Acrylic thickeners, Polyurethane rheology modifiers

The world’s largest synthetic thickener producer, BASF serves paints, coatings, and construction industries through 12 global R&D centers focused on rheology control solutions.

Innovation Highlights:

  • ECO-certified thickeners for sustainable paints

  • Joint venture expansion in China (2023)


4️⃣ 7. FMC Corporation

Headquarters: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
Key Offering: Carrageenan, Microcrystalline cellulose

FMC Biopolymer specializes in high-purity pharmaceutical excipients and food-grade texturizers, with FDA-approved Avicel® MCC being the industry standard for tablet formulations.

Innovation Highlights:

  • Doubled seaweed processing capacity (2022)

  • Developed next-generation drug delivery platforms


3️⃣ 8. Archer Daniels Midland Company (ADM)

Headquarters: Chicago, Illinois, USA
Key Offering: Corn-based starches, Modified food starches

ADM operates the most extensive corn wet milling network in North America, providing cost-effective starch solutions to food manufacturers and industrial users across continents.

Innovation Highlights:

  • Innovated clean-label texture systems

  • European specialty starches expansion (2023)


2️⃣ 9. Kerry Group

Headquarters: Tralee, Ireland
Key Offering: Protein-hydrocolloid blends, Dairy texturizers

Kerry develops integrated texture solutions serving 90% of global food brands, with special focus on plant-based systems through its Radicle™ platform launched in 2022.

Innovation Highlights:

  • Pioneered fiber-enriched texture systems

  • Acquired preservation technology leader Niacet (2023)


1️⃣ 10. Tate & Lyle PLC

Headquarters: London, United Kingdom
Key Offering: Specialty starches, Soluble fibers

Tate & Lyle holds 40% market share in soluble fiber hydrocolloids, with its CLARIA® clean-label starches being widely adopted by health-conscious food brands globally.

Innovation Highlights:

  • Developed reduced-sugar texturizing systems

  • Partnership with Fooditive for sustainable ingredients

Get Full Report Here: https://www.24chemicalresearch.com/reports/214872/hydrocolloids-thickening-agents-market-2023-2029-613


📊 Market Outlook: Hydrocolloids Transforming Multiple Industries

The hydrocolloids sector is experiencing transformation as formulation science converges with clean-label demands and functional food trends. Key developments include plant-based texturization, pharmaceutical delivery advancements, and sustainable material innovations.

🔍 Dominant Industry Trends:

  • Clean-label starch and gum demand growing at 7.1% CAGR

  • Pharma-grade hydrocolloids projected to reach $3.2B by 2026

  • Asia-Pacific emerges as fastest-growing market (6.9% CAGR)

  • Computational formulation reducing development cycles by 35%

Get Full Report Here: https://www.24chemicalresearch.com/reports/214872/hydrocolloids-thickening-agents-market-2023-2029-613

These industry leaders continue to push boundaries in material science—developing next-generation solutions that redefine texture, stability, and functionality across applications.