The global lecithin and phospholipids market Size was at $5.4 billion in 2021, and is projected to reach $9.1 billion by 2031, growing at a CAGR of 5.8% from 2022 to 2031.
Lecithin is a naturally occurring nutrient found in red meat, eggs, and green leafy vegetables. Marketed as a dietary supplement, lecithin is derived from animal products, soybeans, and egg yolks. These dietary supplements are used to lower cholesterol levels. Apart from that, it also helps alleviate several conditions such as neurological and inflammatory diseases. Furthermore, lecithin is a group of chemicals belonging to the phospholipid compounds. Phospholipids are one of the most important types of fats that support cellular integrity. They are fats that are important for the normal functioning of the liver, brain, nerves, and other organs. Lecithin is used as an emulsifier in the food industry. This emulsifier helps stabilize difficult-to-mix ingredients such as oil and water. In addition to the food industry, it is also used in the personal care and health industry.
The concept of food security has become an important factor due to the growing population and growing demand for food. According to the United Nations, the world's population is expected to exceed 8.6 billion by 2030. The world population is increasing by approximately 83 million people every year, and this upward trend is expected to continue. Increasing food production levels that can meet the needs of a growing population while limiting the availability of new agricultural land is currently infeasible. Currently, 30% of the earth's land area is used for agriculture. However, to meet this growing demand, food manufacturers are focusing on extending the shelf life of their products.
Additionally, according to the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), 75% of all food produced for human consumption is wasted. Food waste is uneconomical and highly unsustainable. Waste can be reduced by using food additives such as emulsifiers. Food additives help solve the problem of limited supplies of natural ingredients, extend shelf life and simplify complex cooking processes. The increased availability of processed and ready-to-eat foods, such as dairy, cooked, meat, and pasta, has led consumers to shift to these foods. The availability of prepared and processed products has reduced the total amount of time and effort required to prepare meals. The food and beverage industry is constantly evolving to meet changing consumer eating habits. Consumers want the highest quality food and beverages at affordable prices. Pre-cooked or ready meals are fast, inexpensive, and easy to prepare. These benefits have increased the demand for easy meals, especially among professionals and students. Lecithin and phospholipids improve product quality, improve texture, and act as thickeners in food. Therefore, it is used as an emulsifier in the preparation of food and beverages. As a result, increased sales of processed foods are driving the expansion of the lecithin and phospholipids market.
Source Insights
Based on source, the soy segment will capture the largest market share for lecithin and phospholipids in 2021. Soy lecithin is a phospholipid derived from soybeans and added to foods and dietary supplements. Lecithin produced from conventional soybeans is processed using acetone, hexane, and other chemical solvents. Soy-derived lecithin is found in whey protein, pre-workout formulas, and other athlete supplements. It is also used in baked goods, chocolate, and granola. Increasing demand for these foods is likely to drive demand for soy lecithin during the forecast period for the lecithin and phospholipids market.
Type Insights
Based on type, the market is segmented into liquid lecithin, deoiled lecithin, and modified lecithin. The liquid lecithin segment dominated the market in 2021. This growth is attributed to high demand for liquid lecithin from the application industry. Liquid lecithin products are standardized liquid blends of natural phospholipids and vegetable oils that are stable and easy to handle. Liquid lecithin possesses amphiphilic properties due to its active molecule. Therefore, it can be used in bakery, confectionery and other food and beverage products.
Application Insights
Based on application, the market is segmented into feed, food & beverage, industry & healthcare. The animal feed segment dominated the global market in 2021. Meat production and consumption has increased rapidly over the years due to the increasing disposable income of consumers and the health benefits of meat. In addition, meat is a rich source of protein, important vitamins and various nutrients such as iron, zinc, B12 and B6. Meat consumption in developing countries is observed to be higher than in developed regions. Economic growth, lifestyle changes, population growth, and other structural changes are driving the livestock revolution, complementing the overall growth of the animal feed additives market. This factor also drives the market demand for lecithin and phospholipids in animal feed.
Regional Insights
Asia-Pacific dominated the global market share of lecithin and phospholipids in 2021. The region's market for lecithin and phospholipids is greatly expanded by the large food and beverage and animal feed industries. The demand for lecithin in the Asia-Pacific region is driven by the increase in processed foods and the development of industries such as dairy, meat, confectionery and bakery. Consumer preference for foods with low fat and natural ingredients is driving the growth of the market. According to the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP), the agriculture and food processing sector accounts for at least a quarter of the GDP of developing countries in the Asia-Pacific region.
Key Companies Insights
Key players are developing various strategic initiatives to expand their business footprints and gain competitive advantage. They are also focus on strategic initiatives such as mergers and acquisitions, collaborations, partnerships, fundraising and investments, and innovative product development and launches to expand expertise and product portfolio. Moreover, competition in the global market is increasing as companies focus on expanding their product offerings, entering new markets, and acquiring new customers. For instance, in December 2021, Hain Celestial Group announced an agreement to acquire tThat's How We Roll, the manufacturer and marketer of ParmCrisps & Thinsters. The acquisition strengthens the company's position in the snack foods industry.
Some prominent players in the global lecithin and phospholipids market include:
• Cargill, Inc.
• ADM
• Lipoid GmbH
• Bunge Limited
• American Lecithin Company
• Global River Food Ingredients
• DuPont de Nemours, Inc.
• Stern-Wywiol Gruppe GmbH & Co. KG
• Haneil Soyatech Pvt. Ltd.
• NOW Foods
• Thew Arnott & Co. Ltd.
• GIIAVA
• AKK Soya International
• Imcopo Food Ingredients B.V.
• Sun Nutrafoods
• Lasenor EMUL., S.L.
• Sime Darby Unimills B.V.
• LECICO GmbH
• Wilmar International Ltd.
• Yugen Chemicals
• Barentz
• Tianjin Hexiyuan Lecithin Technology Co., Ltd.
• Orison Chemicals Limited
• Other Players
Segments
By Source
• Soy
• Sunflower
• Rapseed and Canola
• Egg
• Others
By Type
• Fluid lecithin
• De-oiled lecithin
• Modified
By Nature
• NON-GMO
• GMO
By Application
• Feed
• Food and beverages
o Confectioneries
o Convenience foods
o Bakery products
o Other
• Industrial
• Healthcare
By Geography
• North America
o U.S.
o Canada
o Mexico
• Europe
o U.K.
o Germany
o France
o Italy
o Spain
o Russia
• Asia-Pacific
o Japan
o China
o India
o Australia
o South Korea
o ASEAN
• Latin America
o Brazil
o Argentina
o Colombia
• MEA
o South Africa
o Saudi Arabia
o UAE
o Egypt
Base Year: 2023
Historic Year: 2016-2022
Forecast: 2024-2035