The beta-glucan market size is valued at USD 542 million in 2024, with projections suggesting a growth rate of 8.1% CAGR to reach USD 800 million by 2029. The demand for nutritional supplements is rising as urbanization and fast-paced lifestyles increase, leading to the integration of food additives that enhance nutritional value without adverse effects. This demand spans both conventional and organic food sectors, with consumers increasingly prioritizing natural ingredients. A 2022 report by BakeryandSnacks found that approximately 47% of global consumers prefer natural products, and 55% prioritize natural attributes in at least one product category. This shift, coupled with EU restrictions on synthetic additives, has spurred growth in the natural food additives market. Derived from sources like cereals, yeast, mushrooms, and seaweed, beta-glucan is a naturally occurring Biological Response Modifier (BRM) that stimulates immune health, driving demand for beta-glucan-enriched products to support a healthy lifestyle.
Beta-Glucan Market Drivers: Expanding Applications for Beta-Glucan in Multiple Industries
Beta-glucan is widely recognized for its health benefits, such as immune enhancement, anti-inflammatory effects, and cholesterol reduction. Beyond food and supplements, beta-glucan’s applications are expanding across industries. It is now explored as an eco-friendly alternative in food packaging, potentially replacing petroleum-based plastics. A 2020 study published in the Journal of Applied Polymer Science highlighted the durability of beta-glucan-based films, suggesting they could serve as edible coatings to preserve produce. Additionally, the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre has researched beta-glucan as a coating for paper-based packaging to improve water resistance. Following this innovation, Biopack launched a beta-glucan-based coating in 2021, enhancing paper packaging’s water resistance and durability while supporting sustainability.
Food & Beverage Segment Leads Market Applications
Beta-glucan consumption has been linked to reducing the risk of chronic diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, and certain cancers. The US FDA has validated health claims stating that “soluble fiber from specific foods, such as oats and barley, when included in a diet low in saturated fat and cholesterol, can reduce heart disease risk.” Reflecting this trend, Swedish oat milk brand Oatly launched a beta-glucan-fortified line, “Oatly+ Beta-Glucan,” in 2021, promoting heart health benefits. As such, demand for beta-glucan in the food and beverage sector is driven by its potential in chronic illness prevention and wellness.
Dietary Supplement Segment Poised for Rapid Growth
Yeast plays an essential role in industrial fermentation, producing products like bread, beer, and biofuels, with optimized yeast strains enhancing beta-glucan production for large-scale applications. Australian health brand Swisse Wellness introduced Beta-Immune Booster, a supplement with beta-glucan from Saccharomyces cerevisiae, in 2021 to support immune health, attracting positive consumer response. This trend signals a robust future for beta-glucan supplements as consumers increasingly seek natural, potent dietary options.
Asia Pacific Expected to See Fastest Growth from 2024 to 2029
Regional analysis shows significant market expansion across North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, South America, and other regions. The Asia Pacific market, in particular, is driven by innovations in beta-glucan-based food, beverage, industrial, and healthcare products, encouraging local companies to diversify and grow revenue. Key players in the market include Tate & Lyle PLC (UK), Kerry Group plc (Ireland), dsm-firmenich (Switzerland), Merck (Germany), and Kemin Industries (US), among others.
Tate & Lyle PLC (UK), Kerry Group plc (Ireland), dsm-Firmenich (Switzerland), Merck (Germany), Lesaffre (France), Kemin Industries (US), Angel Yeast Co. Ltd (China), Lallemand (Canada), Associated British Foods Plc (UK), Bigrigin (Brazil), Ceapro, Inc. (Canada), NutriScience Innovations, LLC (US), Alltech (US), Garuda International Inc. (US), and Leiber (Germany) are the key players in the beta-glucan market.
Recent Developments in the Beta-Glucan Industry
June 2023: Kemin Industries received approval from the Thai FDA for its immune-supporting ingredient, BetaVia Complete, as a Novel Food in Thailand. Derived from Euglena gracilis, this beta-1,3-glucan-rich product is now approved for supplements at 375 mg per day.
December 2022: Kemin expanded its production in Cavriago, Italy, to meet the growing demand for beta-glucan in animal nutrition, highlighting the company’s commitment to innovation and sustainability.
January 2022: DSM restructured its Food & Beverage division, combining Food Specialties, Hydrocolloids, and Nutritional Products. This consolidation aims to guide consumers towards choices that balance taste, texture, and health, aligning with DSM’s vision of becoming a dedicated Health, Nutrition & Bioscience company.
Key Questions Addressed by the Beta-Glucan Market Report:
- What is the current size of the beta-glucan market?
- Which are the key players in the market, and how intense is the competition?
- Which region is projected to account for the largest share of the beta-glucan market?
- What kind of information is provided in the company profile section?
- What are the factors driving the beta-glucan market?
