The global Gelatin Market was valued at USD 6.5 billion and is projected to reach USD 13.14 billion by 2030, expanding at a remarkable CAGR of 15.1% during the forecast period (2025–2030). Rising demand for functional foods, nutraceuticals, pharmaceutical capsules, and clean-label ingredients is driving strong global growth.
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Industry Overview
Gelatin is a natural protein derived from collagen extracted from animal bones and skin, primarily from pigs and cows. It is rich in amino acids and widely used across:
Food & beverages
Pharmaceuticals
Nutraceuticals
Cosmetics & personal care
Industrial and photographic applications
Its unique properties — gelling, stabilizing, thickening, emulsifying, and foaming — make it indispensable in multiple formulations.
Growing health awareness, rising demand for collagen-based supplements, and expanding pharmaceutical applications are accelerating market expansion. Additionally, home cooking trends and DIY baking during the pandemic boosted gelatin consumption in desserts, confectionery, and dairy products.
Key Market Insights
In August 2020, PB Leiner introduced Textura Tempo Ready, a clean-label gelatin alternative that reduces preparation time by 50%.
Over 60% of gelatin consumption is concentrated in confectionery and dairy products.
The dietary supplement sector contributes more than 30% of global food-grade gelatin demand.
Approximately 25% of manufacturers are shifting toward fish-based gelatin to address halal, kosher, and sustainability requirements.
The 21st Century Cures Act, signed into law by Barack Obama in 2016, accelerated regenerative medicine approvals in the United States, boosting R&D for gelatin-based biomedical applications.
Market Drivers
1. Rising Demand for Functional Foods & Nutraceuticals
Consumers increasingly seek foods offering health benefits beyond basic nutrition. Gelatin, rich in collagen and amino acids, supports:
Joint health
Skin elasticity
Bone strength
Digestive health
The rapid growth of collagen supplements and protein-enriched foods, especially among aging populations, is fueling market expansion.
2. Expanding Pharmaceutical & Biomedical Applications
Gelatin’s biocompatibility and biodegradability make it ideal for:
Soft and hard capsules
Drug delivery systems
Tissue engineering
Regenerative medicine
Wound healing hydrogels
In December 2023, Darling Ingredients Inc. secured a patent for StabiCaps, a specialized gelatin formulation designed to enhance soft gel capsule stability.
3. Clean-Label & Natural Ingredient Trends
Consumers prefer transparent ingredient lists and natural additives. Gelatin aligns perfectly with clean-label demands due to its natural origin and multifunctionality in food processing.
Market Restraints & Challenges
Ethical & Religious Concerns
Animal-derived gelatin faces resistance from:
Vegan and vegetarian consumers
Halal and kosher dietary restrictions
This limits adoption across certain demographics.
Raw Material Volatility
Dependence on livestock by-products exposes the industry to:
Disease outbreaks
Livestock production fluctuations
Regulatory restrictions
Price instability
Rising Competition from Alternatives
Plant-based substitutes such as agar-agar, pectin, and carrageenan are gaining traction. However, these alternatives often lack gelatin’s superior gelling strength and texture-forming capabilities.
Market Opportunities
Sustainable & Alternative Gelatin Development
Companies are investing in:
Fish-based gelatin
Lab-grown collagen
Cell-cultured alternatives
In July 2022, Perfect Day acquired Sterling Biotech Ltd. to strengthen its production capabilities in alternative protein solutions.
Biomedical Innovation
Gelatin’s role in advanced therapies continues expanding, particularly in regenerative medicine and personalized drug delivery systems.
Growth in Health & Wellness Supplements
Increasing awareness around anti-aging, immunity, and preventive healthcare is driving demand for collagen peptides and gelatin-based nutraceuticals.
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Market Segmentation
By Source
Porcine (Pig Skin)
Bovine (Cow Skin & Bones) – Largest Segment
Fish & Poultry – Fastest Growing
Plant-Based Alternatives
Bovine gelatin dominates due to strong gel strength, wide availability, and broad industrial application.
Fish gelatin is witnessing rapid growth due to:
Halal and kosher compliance
Marine sustainability initiatives
Lower melting point and clarity advantages
By Application
Food & Beverages – Largest (55% share)
Pharmaceuticals
Nutraceuticals – Fastest Growing
Cosmetics & Personal Care
Industrial & Photographic
Food & beverage applications dominate due to gelatin’s role in confectionery, dairy desserts, marshmallows, and meat products.
Nutraceutical growth is driven by collagen supplements, aging populations, and preventive healthcare trends.
By Function
Stabilizer – Fastest Growing
Thickener
Gelling Agent – Largest Segment
Gelatin’s superior gelling capacity maintains its dominance in confectionery and dairy applications.
By Type
Type A – Derived via acid hydrolysis (porcine) – Fastest Growing
Type B – Derived via alkaline hydrolysis (bovine) – Dominant
Type B gelatin leads due to high purity and strong gelling performance across pharmaceutical and food sectors.
Regional Analysis
Europe – Largest Market (40%)
Europe leads due to:
Advanced food processing technologies
Strong regulatory standards
Presence of leading manufacturers such as GELITA AG and Weishardt
Asia-Pacific – Fastest Growing (35%)
Growth drivers include:
Expanding middle-class population
Increasing health awareness
Growing pharmaceutical manufacturing in China and India
North America (20%)
Strong demand for dietary supplements and pharmaceutical capsules drives the U.S. market.
Latin America (5%)
Countries such as Brazil are emerging growth centers, supported by players like Gelnex.
Middle East & Africa (5%)
Growth is supported by increasing halal-certified gelatin demand.
COVID-19 Impact
The pandemic created both disruption and opportunity:
Challenges
Supply chain interruptions
Raw material shortages
Reduced foodservice demand
Opportunities
Surge in collagen supplements
Increased pharmaceutical capsule demand
Growth in home cooking and baking
Overall, health-driven demand offset initial disruptions.
Recent Developments
March 2023: Darling Ingredients Inc. completed acquisition of Gelnex to expand global gelatin production.
September 2023: Strides Pharma Science announced the spin-off of its soft gelatin CDMO business into OneSource and Stelis Biopharma.
March 2022: Pura Collagen launched collagen supplement products targeting immunity and cognitive health.
Key Players
GELITA AG
Darling Ingredients Inc.
Nitta Gelatin Inc.
Weishardt
Tessenderlo Group
Sterling Biotech Ltd.
Lapi Gelatine S.p.a.
Gelnex
Juncà Gelatines SL
Trobas Gelatine B.V.
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Future Outlook
The gelatin market is positioned for strong, innovation-driven growth. Expansion will be fueled by:
Rising nutraceutical demand
Biomedical research advancements
Clean-label food trends
Sustainable sourcing initiatives
Emerging market consumption growth
With increasing R&D investments and diversification into alternative collagen production, gelatin is set to remain a core functional ingredient across food, pharma, and wellness industries through 2030.