Top 10 Companies in the Thickeners and Vegetable Gums Industry (2026): Market Leaders Formulating Global Food & Beverage Textures

In Business Insights
January 28, 2026


The Global Thickeners and Vegetable Gums Market was valued at USD 13.7 Billion in 2025 and is projected to reach USD 19.5 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 the accelerating demand for processed foods, the global shift toward clean-label and natural ingredients, and the expanding applications of hydrocolloids in plant-based and functional food formulations.

As the food and beverage industry evolves to meet consumer demands for better texture, stability, and naturalness, the focus intensifies on the key ingredient suppliers driving innovation and sustainability. In this blog, we profile the Top 10 Companies in the Thickeners and Vegetable Gums Industry—a mix of global giants and specialized innovators shaping the future of food texture and formulation.


🔟 1. Cargill, Incorporated

Headquarters: Wayzata, Minnesota, USA
Key Offering: Xanthan Gum, Pectin, Carrageenan, Texturizing Solutions

Cargill is a global leader in food ingredients, offering a comprehensive portfolio of thickeners and stabilizers derived from natural sources. Their extensive R&D capabilities focus on developing solutions for diverse applications, including dairy, beverages, and meat alternatives, helping customers improve product texture and shelf life.

Sustainability Initiatives:

  • Commitment to sustainable agricultural sourcing for raw materials
  • Investment in R&D for next-generation, bio-based texturants
  • Goals to reduce environmental footprint across the supply chain

Download FREE Sample Report:
Global Thickeners and Vegetable Gums Market – View in Detailed Research Report


9️⃣ 2. Ingredion Incorporated

Headquarters: Westchester, Illinois, USA
Key Offering: Modified Starches, Xanthan Gum, Pectin, Specialty Ingredients

Ingredion is a premier global ingredients solutions provider, renowned for its extensive range of texturizers derived from corn, tapioca, potatoes, and other raw materials. The company specializes in creating customized solutions for clean-label and organic products, serving major food and beverage brands worldwide.

Sustainability Initiatives:

  • Development of clean-label starch solutions to replace synthetic additives
  • Strategic partnerships for sustainable and traceable sourcing

8️⃣ 3. DuPont de Nemours, Inc. (Nutrition & Biosciences)

Headquarters: Wilmington, Delaware, USA
Key Offering: Xanthan Gum, Gellan Gum, Pectin, Specialty Hydrocolloids

DuPont’s Nutrition & Biosciences division is a key innovator in hydrocolloid technology, offering high-performance solutions for complex food systems. Their products are critical for achieving desired viscosity, gelation, and stability in a wide array of applications, from dairy to confectionery.

Sustainability Initiatives:

  • Focus on fermentation-based production for consistent, sustainable output
  • Development of solutions that reduce food waste by extending shelf life

7️⃣ 4. Archer Daniels Midland Company (ADM)

Headquarters: Chicago, Illinois, USA
Key Offering: Guar Gum, Locust Bean Gum, Pectin, Fiber Solutions

ADM is a global leader in nutrition and agricultural processing, providing a robust portfolio of natural texturizing ingredients. Leveraging its vast agricultural network, ADM ensures a reliable supply of high-quality gums and fibers tailored for health, wellness, and texture enhancement.

Sustainability Initiatives:

  • Investment in regenerative agriculture practices for raw material sourcing
  • Expansion of production capacity for plant-based ingredient solutions

Download FREE Sample Report:
Global Thickeners and Vegetable Gums Market – View in Detailed Research Report


6️⃣ 5. Tate & Lyle PLC

Headquarters: London, United Kingdom
Key Offering: Stabilizers, Texturants, Specialty Fibers (e.g., Promitor® Soluble Fiber)

Tate & Lyle is a leading global provider of food and beverage solutions, specializing in texturants, stabilizers, and sweeteners. Their expertise in hydrocolloids helps manufacturers create products with improved mouthfeel, stability, and reduced sugar or fat content without compromising on quality.

Sustainability Initiatives:

  • Commitment to science-based targets for reducing greenhouse gas emissions
  • Development of ingredients that support healthier, more sustainable diets

5️⃣ 6. CP Kelco U.S., Inc.

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

CP Kelco is a renowned producer of nature-based ingredient solutions, with a strong focus on high-value pectin and fermentation-derived gums. The company is a preferred partner for demanding applications in beverages, dairy, and confectionery, known for its technical expertise and product consistency.

Sustainability Initiatives:

  • Sustainable citrus peel sourcing for pectin production
  • Continuous improvement in water and energy efficiency at manufacturing sites

4️⃣ 7. Ashland Global Holdings Inc.

Headquarters: Wilmington, Delaware, USA
Key Offering: Cellulose Gum (CMC), Xanthan Gum, Guar Derivatives

Ashland provides specialty additives for food, pharmaceutical, and personal care industries. Their portfolio includes high-purity hydrocolloids that act as effective thickeners, stabilizers, and film-formers, meeting stringent quality and regulatory standards across diverse markets.

Sustainability Initiatives:

  • Development of bio-based and biodegradable thickener options
  • R&D into green chemistry principles for ingredient manufacturing

3️⃣ 8. Kerry Group

Headquarters: Tralee, County Kerry, Ireland
Key Offering: Hydrocolloid Systems, Stabilizer Blends, Natural Texturants

Kerry Group offers integrated taste and nutrition solutions, including advanced texturizing systems derived from natural gums and starches. Their application expertise helps clients achieve optimal texture and shelf-life in products ranging from plant-based meats to functional beverages.

Sustainability Initiatives:

  • Focus on upcycling and reducing food waste through innovative ingredient use
  • Commitment to sustainable sourcing partnerships globally

2️⃣ 9. FMC Corporation

Headquarters: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
Key Offering: Microcrystalline Cellulose (MCC), Carrageenan

FMC Corporation is a key player in providing functional ingredients, notably Microcrystalline Cellulose and carrageenan, which are essential for fat replacement, suspension, and texture modification in low-calorie and health-focused food products.

Sustainability Initiatives:

  • Sustainable harvesting practices for seaweed-derived carrageenan
  • Investment in technologies to enhance the functionality of plant-based ingredients

1️⃣ 10. Jungbunzlauer Suisse AG

Headquarters: Basel, Switzerland
Key Offering: Xanthan Gum, Pectin, Gluconates

Jungbunzlauer is a leading producer of biodegradable ingredients of natural origin, with a strong reputation for high-quality xanthan gum and pectin. The company emphasizes natural, non-GMO, and kosher-certified products for the food, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic industries.

Sustainability Initiatives:

  • 100% green electricity usage at production sites
  • Comprehensive life cycle assessments for all major products

Get Full Report Here:
Global Thickeners and Vegetable Gums Market – View in Detailed Research Report


🌍 Outlook: The Future of Food Textures Is Natural and Innovative

The thickeners and vegetable gums market is undergoing a significant transformation. While conventional options maintain a strong presence, the industry is innovating rapidly with clean-label alternatives, sustainable sourcing methods, and advanced functionality for next-generation foods.

📈 Key Trends Shaping the Market:

  • Accelerated demand for organic and non-GMO certified thickeners in developed markets
  • Rising application in plant-based meat and dairy alternatives requiring sophisticated texture replication
  • Integration of hydrocolloids for sugar and fat reduction in healthier product formulations
  • Strategic investments in biotechnology for novel gum production and enhanced functionality

Get Full Report Here:
Global Thickeners and Vegetable Gums Market – View in Detailed Research Report

The companies listed above are not only supplying essential ingredients—they’re pioneering the textural revolution in the global food and beverage industry.