The global food binders market is expected to witness significant growth over the forecast period. It plays a substantial role in fast foods for improving the viscosity of food and increasing the texture. Furthermore, the growing trend of fast food culture, specifically in developing countries, along with rising fast-food chains, has influenced the growth of the food binders market.
The shift in focus toward convenient and instantly processed food, busy lifestyles, and rising westernization of food dishes has led to a surge in demand of binders on account of its adhesive features that keep ingredients together. These products are extensively used to upsurge the mas and volume of edibles without hindering its nutritional content. Soups, gravies, and pudding condensing can be processed using these binders, which may boost the industry size over the forecast period.
In culinary practices, pectin agar-agar, and starches are generally used as food binders, exclusively in sauces and desserts. Moreover, mostly food binders are naturally derived, on account of the economic feasibility and superior results. Gums are the most frequently used commercial binders in meat products, fast food products, dairy products, and meat substitutes, to name a few. These gums are comparatively reasonable and deliver a product that is of superior organoleptic factors.
As food binders being used on a large-scale, it has also been witnessed that few significant market players are initiating on new product innovation such as non-sweet food binders that prove to be a viable substitute in comparison to typical binder options including eggs, vital wheat gluten, corn syrups, and starches. For instance, as of Aug 2018, Archer Daniels Midland, a U.S. based food processing company, filed a global patent for its product Vegefull, the edible bean blends. The product can be used as a non-sweet food binder in protein, nutrition bars, granola, snack pieces, and cereal clusters.
Based on the source, food binders market is segmented into plant-based (inclusive of starch, gum, fiber, pectin, carrageenan, agar-agar, and soy proteins), hydrocolloids, and animal-based (inclusive of whey and gelatin). The hydrocolloids segment is anticipated to witness substantial growth on account of their water-binding properties that are added to edible products. Furthermore, hydrocolloids are extensively used in many food application through thickening and gelling agents in order to enhance the attribute and shelf life
An increase in consumer inclination towards vegan ingredients can hinder the demand for gelatin and collagen that are derived from animal-based sources. Furthermore, social events led by non-governmental organizations to quit animal-based products can also impact industry growth.
Based on application, food binders market is segmented into Meat Products and Meat Analogs, Bakery, Confectionery, Dairy, Processed Foods, Sports Nutrition Products, Beverages, and Horeca. Amongst all the Meat Products and Meat Analogs segment is expected to witness significant gains over the forecast period. Rising demand for meat substitutes owing to the growing consumer inclination toward animal welfare and environmental sustainability has led to an increase the demand for food binders. Since food binders are an important ingredient of meat substitute products, the growth in the demand for food binders is relational to that of meat substitutes.
Based on region, Asia Pacific is expected to witness the fastest growth on account of the increasing demand for food binders in countries such as Japan, India, and South Korea. Growing westernization and distribution channels including supermarket & hypermarkets in the region is expected to bolster the growth in the regional market. Furthermore, the region is considered as one of the most attractive regions for the growth of the food binders market, on account of millennial population dependency on fast food and rising per capita income.
The food binders market is competitive and slightly fragmented with key industry participants includes ADM, Ingredion, Cargill, DuPont, Nexira, Bavaria Corp, Fufeng, and Deosen Biochemical Ltd. Growing consumption of food binders has stimulated producers to invest extensively in R&D for product innovation.
Moreover, novel technological advancement will also benefit to enhance more eco-friendly items, which may encourage market growth. The afore-mentioned companies cater to the growing demand from wide-ranging food applications in the region. Producers listed above are large manufacturers with a distinguished product portfolio that allows them to cater to the market-specific requirements.