Lecithin Market Size and Share Analysis by Product Type (Unrefined Lecithin, Refined Lecithin, Chemically Modified Lecithin), Nature (GMO, Non-GMO), Form (Powder, Granules, Liquid), Function (Emulsifiers, Dispersing Agents, Surfactants), Application (Bakery & Confectionery, Dairy Products, Infant & Dietetic Food Products, Meat & Poultry Items, Instant Foods, Other Processed Foods, Dietary Supplements & Pharmaceuticals, Cosmetics, Animal Feed) - Global Industry Growth Forecast to 2030

Market Overview

The global lecithin market size was $1,376.32 million in 2021, and this number is expected to increase to $2,490.19 million by 2030, advancing at a CAGR of 6.8% during the forecast period. This can be attributed to the increasing usage of this additive in drug manufacturing and the food industry, growing awareness regarding the consumption of nutritional diets, and high R&D investments by manufacturers to achieve sustainable production.

Unrefined Variants Generate Majority of Revenue

The unrefined category accounted for the largest revenue share in 2021, and it is further expected to continue the trend during the forecast period. This is due to the high demand for natural products, rising consumer awareness of healthy eating, increasing demand for ready-to-eat food due to the sedentary lifestyles, and booming consciousness on cosmetics.

Moreover, the unrefined category is divided into soybean, sunflower, rapeseed, and others. Among these, soybean is the prime revenue contributor owing to the increasing usage of this food additive in dietary supplements and pharmaceutical products.

Increasing Adoption across Industries

Lecithin is primarily used as an emulsifying agent in the food, feed, pharmaceutical, and cosmetics industries. Moreover, it is also used as a wetting and instantizing agent, viscosity modifier, releasing agent, separating agent, anti-dusting agent, nutritional supplement, dispersant, and lubricant.

The availability of various grades and forms of this substance is driving its usage as an emulsifier. The availability of standardized or refined, de-oiled, fractionated, and chemically and enzymatic ally-modified variants increases its number of applications and also results in a wide price range. This, in turn, is propelling the market growth.

Dietary Supplements and Pharmaceuticals Industry Held Significant Revenue Share

The dietary supplements and pharmaceuticals industry contributes significant revenue. This is due to the wide application of this fatty substance in pharmaceuticals, increasing need for healthier diets, improving lifestyles, and rising R&D expenditure by industry giants.

Moreover, technological advancements are influencing companies to develop new products, in a bid to remain competitive. Players are also increasing their manufacturing capabilities to sustain themselves amidst the intense competition. Owing to the robust growth of the healthcare and dietary supplements markets in emerging economies, the demand for lecithin has also increased.

Furthermore, the cosmetics industry holds a significant revenue share. This is due to the high usage of such fatty substances in the formulation of a wide range of cosmetics and personal care products, such as creams, lotions, soaps, hair shampoos, and decorative cosmetics; and as emulsifiers, fat crystallization inhibitors, dispersants, and binding, emollient, re-fatting, film forming, hydrating, stabilizing, and adhesive agents. In addition, the changing lifestyles and growing disposable incomes of consumers are driving the growth of the cosmetics category.

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Non-GMO Category To Witness Faster Growth

The non-GMO category, based on nature, will advance with the higher CAGR, of more than 7%, during the forecast period. This is because the growth in the trend of organic farming has caused a spurt in the demand for processed food without GM ingredients, thus influencing food manufacturers to focus on their non-GM portfolios. Moreover, soybean-based non-GMO lecithin, which is a by-product of soybean oil processing, is widely used in the food, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic industries due to its emulsification, blending, and instantizing functionalities.

Based on function, emulsifiers held the largest revenue share in 2021, and this category is further expected to dominate the segment during the forecast period. This can be attributed to the extensive usage of emulsifiers to prevent friction between various ingredients, such as cacao, sugar, and milk, during the production of chocolate, along with their rising consumption in the cosmetics and pharmaceuticals industries. Therefore, the production capacity expansion by global chocolate manufacturers is expected to drive the lecithin market in the future.

Increasing Demand for Low-Fat and Convenience Foods Drives Market

The growing health concerns, along with the booming demand for healthy ingredients, are propelling food manufacturers to use novel ingredients for reducing the fat content. The rapid growth of the food industry and the corresponding increase in the demand for low-fat products are encouraging manufacturers to develop individual and blended products, such as non-GM lecithin with little or zero fat.

The demand for convenience foods, such as ready-to-eat (RTE) food, desserts, and frozen food, is growing at a rapid pace due to the changing lifestyles, rising disposable income, and booming employed population. The changing dietary habits from traditional meals to RTE products are, thus, driving the product demand.

Liquid Form Holds Major Revenue Share

The liquid category, based on form, accounted for the largest revenue share in 2021, and it is further expected to maintain the trend during the forecast period. This can be ascribed to the extensive usage of this form in the cosmetics, healthcare, industrial coatings, confectionaries, and many other industries.

Europe Dominates Market

Europe held the largest revenue share of, more than 30%, in 2021 and it is further expected to dominate the market during 2021–2030. This high revenue can be attributed to the presence of a large number of chemical manufacturers, sufficient availability of raw materials, growing health awareness among consumers, increasing intake of nutritious foods and dietary supplements, as well as the extensive research on non-GMO soy lecithin. Moreover, the growth in the healthcare sector as well as the pharmaceutical industry and the rise in the production of dietary supplements aid the industry growth in the region. In addition,

• The U.K., Germany, Spain, and France have flourishing downstream industries for this substance, such as dietary supplements, cosmetics and personal care, cattle feed, and baked products.
• Germany held the largest revenue share in the regional market in 2021, and it is projected to grow with a significant CAGR during the forecast period. This is due to the well-developed healthcare sector and increasing number of food processing and confectionary companies in the nation.

Furthermore, APAC will register significant growth during the forecast period, with a CAGR of more than 7%. This can be attributed to the surging demand for natural ingredients, rising disposable income, coupled with the improving lifestyles; high R&D spending in the pharmaceutical industry, and surging consumption of bakery and confectionery, dairy, and meat products in the region. Moreover,

• China was the major revenue contributor in the region in 2021, and it is expected to stay this course during 2021–2030. The increasing count of manufacturing facilities and contract drug manufacturing organizations, growing number of dining venues, developing food and beverage industry, and high production of emulsifiers, skin moisturizers, and eye drops propel the market growth.
• India also contributes significant revenue, due to the rising demand for personal care products, increasing number of cases of obesity and other chronic diseases, and growing agriculture industry.

North America also held a significant revenue share in 2021, and its industry will grow with a substantial CAGR during 2021–2030. This can be attributed to the surging demand for healthier food products, growing number of convenience food manufacturers, and surging number of patients suffering from CVDs, obesity, and other chronic diseases owing to the sedentary lifestyles.

Key Players in Lecithin Market Are:

• Cargill Incorporated
• Archer Daniels Midland Company
• Lipoid GmbH,
• American Lecithin Company
• Global River Food Ingredients Inc.
• Tianjin Hexiyuan Lecithin Technology Co. Ltd.
• Barentz International BV
• Sime Darby Oils Zwijndrecht Refinery B.V.

Market Size Breakdown by Segment

The study offers a comprehensive market segmentation analysis along with market estimation for the period 2017-2030.

Based on Type of Product

• Unrefined Lecithin
  • Soybean lecithin
  • Sunflower lecithin
  • Rapeseed lecithin
• Refined Lecithin
• Chemically Modified Lecithin

Based on Nature

• GMO
• Non-GMO

Based on Form

• Powder
• Granules
• Liquid

Based on Function

• Emulsifiers
• Dispersing Agents
• Surfactants

Market Segmentation by Application

• Bakery & Confectionery
• Dairy Products
• Infant & Dietetic Food Products
• Meat & Poultry Items
• Instant Foods
• Other Processed Foods
• Dietary Supplements & Pharmaceuticals
• Cosmetics
• Animal Feed

Geographical Analysis

• North America
  • U.S.
  • Canada
• Europe
  • Germany
  • France
  • U.K.
  • Italy
  • Spain
• Asia-Pacific
  • China
  • Japan
  • South Korea
  • India
  • Australia
• Latin America
  • Brazil
  • Mexico
• Middle East and Africa
  • Saudi Arabia
  • South Africa