Sodium Alginate Market

Sodium Alginate Market Outlook (2024 to 2034)

Worldwide revenue from sodium alginate sales is projected to reach US$ 215 million in 2024. The market has been studied to climb to a value of US$ 312.1 million by the end of 2034, expanding at a CAGR of 3.8% over the forecast period (2024 to 2034).

Sodium alginate (SA) is a polysaccharide biopolymer widely utilized in controlled drug delivery and as an efficient corrosion inhibitor. Also known as anionic polysaccharide, sodium alginate is composed of nanoparticles (NPs). It is widely found in the cell walls of brown algae. These algae release a viscous gum when they come into touch with water. Aside from its applications, sodium alginate has become one of the most extensively classified biomaterials for targeted administration routes and drug delivery.

Manufacturers of plant-based excipients now have more opportunities to pursue due to the discovery of sodium alginate, an innovative ingredient with multiple applications, derived from seaweed. Alginate dressings are a type of wound dressing made from seaweed extract, specifically from brown algae.

Key Market Growth Drivers

• Significant portion of revenue in the global sodium alginate market is derived from the use of sodium alginate as an emulsifier and thickener in the food and pharmaceutical industries.
• Sodium alginate has beneficial physicochemical characteristics, which enable chemical alterations for site-specific targeting. Biocompatibility, biodegradation, and mucoadhesiveness are a few more unique characteristics of sodium alginate.
• Alginates are commonly available as powder and granules, which facilitate easy casting and thickening of the substance. Alginates are also used in the treatment of different infections and the process of healing wounds.
• Demand for sodium alginate from the cosmetics industry is rising.
• Global healthcare sector’s growing demand for advanced wound care management is projected to contribute to the expansion of the sodium alginate market size. Market growth is also influenced by the rising demand for plant-based products and its widespread use in animal feed.

Report Attribute	Detail
Sodium Alginate Market Size (2024E)	US$ 215 Million
Forecasted Market Value (2034F)	US$ 312.1 Million
Global Market Growth Rate (2024 to 2034)	3.8% CAGR
East Asia Market Share (2024E)	29.4%
North America Market Share (2024E)	13.5%
Gelling Agent Segment Value (2024E)	US$ 52.9 Million
Key Companies Profiled	Qingdao Gfuri Seaweed Industrial Co., Ltd.; Meron Group; WIBERG Canada; Lianyungang Fengyun Seaweed Manufacturer Co., Ltd.; Hangzhou Mobel Biotechnology Co., Ltd.; SNP Inc.; KIMICA Corporation; Maabarot Products Ltd.; Ashland Inc.; Zibo Wangfei Seaweed Tech. Co., Ltd.; Qingdao Lanneret Biochemical Co., Ltd.; IRO Alginate Industry Co., Ltd.; WillPowder, LLC.

Which Important Aspects are Pushing Sales of Sodium Alginate?

“Increased Preference for Biocompatible Dyes in Textile Industry”

Producers of sodium alginate are benefitting from heightened demand for improved color consistency and reduced environmental footprint in the fashion sector as they formulate their forthcoming business strategies. With a shift among most fashion labels towards biocompatible dyes over synthetic alternatives, producers are providing sodium alginate as a prime catalyst for the creation of bespoke, eco-conscious coloring methodologies for the textile and apparel sectors. Moreover, robust expansion of the textile industry, which constitutes a substantial segment of the global market, is further driving sodium alginate market growth.

What’s Acting as a Roadblock for Sodium Alginate Producers?

“High Cost of Brown Seaweed Cultivation and Strict Regulations Governing Seaweed Extraction”

Market growth is being hampered by the scarcity or unavailability of brown seaweed as it is a major raw material required to make alginate. In addition to being used for alginate, brown seaweed is widely available for commercial purposes in the world's oceans. There is an acute lack of raw materials needed to produce alginate as a result of the growing use of brown seaweed. Strict safety regulations governing sodium alginates' use in food and pharmaceutical applications are also impeding market growth to some extent.

Access to raw materials has been impeded by the costly cultivation of brown seaweed. Brown seaweed development is also impacted by unfavorable environmental factors and incorrect salinity, which is a major contributing factor to the scarcity of raw materials. The abundance of benefits that brown seaweed offers to a wide range of industries has brought attention to its recent scarcity.

Country-wise Insights

Europe is projected to remain an appealing revenue source for the majority of sodium alginate manufacturers and distributors, as the European textile industry accounts for nearly half of the global textile industry. In the years to come, producers of sodium alginate are expected to find success in the European market due to the high demand for this compound in a variety of end-use industries, despite the region's strict regulations and standards regarding seaweed harvesting.

Increased focus on health and wellness in Europe is influencing market dynamics beyond the decisions made by individual consumers. Preference for natural and clean-label products aligns well with the characteristics of alginates. Due to this, the market is responding to the region's growing health consciousness, encouraging producers to include alginates in a wide variety of goods.

Why is Use of Technical-Grade Sodium Alginate Rising in the United States?

“Shift from Producing Commodity Goods to Specialized Technical Textiles”

Attribute	United States
Market Value (2024E)	US$ 22 Million
Growth Rate (2024 to 2034)	6.7% CAGR
Projected Value (2034F)	US$ 42.2 Million

Textile manufacturers in the United States are increasingly focusing on producing technical textiles rather than commodity goods. This shift from generic textile products to specialized technical textiles is driving the demand for technical-grade sodium alginate among manufacturers in the country. With the growing demand for products across various end-use industries, especially apparel, the nation is projected to remain an attractive market for manufacturers and distributors.

Which Sodium Alginate Market Trends are Attracting Suppliers to China?

“Easy Availability of Raw Materials and Rapid Expansion of Food Industry”

Attribute	China
Market Value (2024E)	US$ 37.5 Million
Growth Rate (2024 to 2034)	3.8% CAGR
Projected Value (2034F)	US$ 54.7 Million

Primary driver of the expansion of sodium alginate in China is the growing demand for the compound from the pharmaceutical sector. China is one of the leading contributors to the sales of sodium alginate due to its easy access to raw materials. The country is set to hold 59.4% sodium alginate market share in East Asia in 2024. The expansion of the food industry in China is contributing to market growth.

Category-wise Insights

Sodium alginates are useful as gelling agents in desserts, dairy products, and meat products in the food industry. Materials derived from alginate are widely employed for the controlled delivery and encapsulation of drugs, a critical aspect of regulated drug release within the pharmaceutical industry. Similarly, they play a vital role in encapsulating flavors, vitamins, and other bioactive ingredients in food products.

How Does Sodium Alginate Contribute to Quality and Stability of Food Products?

“Role of Stabilizing Property of Sodium Alginate in Maintaining Integrity of Food Products”

Attribute	Stabilizers
Segment Value (2024E)	US$ 50.7 Million
Growth Rate (2024 to 2034)	7.3% CAGR
Projected Value (2034F)	US$ 98.2 Million

Sodium alginate is a high-quality stabilizer for ice cream and cold beverages. It can produce a smooth taste and smooth appearance in ice cream and other cold drinks. Sodium alginate thickens salad dressings, puddings, jams, ketchup, and canned goods by decreasing liquid leakage and enhancing product stability. Sodium alginate is used as an ice cream stabilizer instead of starch and gelatin, which can control ice crystal formation and improve ice cream flavor.

The compound can stabilize mixed beverages such as frozen milk and sugar sorbet. Many dairy products, such as whipped cream, dried cheese, and refined cheese, use the stabilizing property of sodium alginate to keep food from sticking to the container and to coat dairy products to keep the frosting from breaking.

Why is Sodium Alginate Extensively Used in the Food Industry Beyond a Stabilizer?

“Preference for Clean-Label Food Products Boosting Use of Sodium Alginate as Natural Ingredient”

Sodium alginate is a key ingredient in many food products that improves their texture and stability. It is a favored option for culinary applications due to its capacity to gel when exposed to calcium ions. Sodium alginate is used by both chefs and food manufacturers to enhance the overall quality of different dishes by encapsulating flavors and creating unique textures.

Growing preference for plant-based and clean-label diets is one of the key sodium alginate market trends. Its beneficial qualities and natural ancestry from seaweed make it the perfect choice for plant-based food substitutes. Furthermore, by providing a recognizable, natural ingredient for food and beverage formulations, sodium alginate is also supporting clean-label initiatives.

Competitive Landscape

Key players in the sodium alginate market are Qingdao Gfuri Seaweed Industrial Co., Ltd., Meron Group, WIBERG Canada, Lianyungang Fengyun Seaweed Manufacturer Co., Ltd., Hangzhou Mobel Biotechnology Co., Ltd, SNP Inc., KIMICA Corporation, Maabarot Products Ltd, Ashland Inc., Zibo Wangfei, Seaweed Tech. Co., Ltd., Qingdao Lanneret Biochemical Co., Ltd., IRO Alginate Industry Co., Ltd, and WillPowder, LLC.

• JRS Group, a well-known producer of functional additives and sodium alginate, announced on May 24, 2018, that it had acquired DuPont Nutrition & Health's sodium alginate business at its Landerneau production site.

Fact.MR provides detailed information about the price points of key manufacturers of sodium alginate positioned across the world, sales growth, production capacity, and speculative technological expansion, in this new market report.

Segmentation of Sodium Alginate Market Research

• By Product Grade :

  • Food & Pharmaceutical
  • Technical

• By Function :

  • Stabilizers
  • Thickeners
  • Gelling Agents
  • Emulsifiers

• By End Use :

  • Textiles
  • Food & Beverages
  • Pharmaceuticals

• By Region :

  • North America
  • Western Europe
  • Eastern Europe
  • Latin America
  • East Asia
  • South Asia & Pacific
  • Middle East & Africa