Sucrose Esters Market

Market Overview

Sucrose esters have gained significant traction in recent times owing to its plethora of applications in various industries. The market’s most prominent driver is the increasing consumer demand for cosmetics and personal care products. Sucrose esters are widely used as emulsifiers in all food products to provide numerous benefits, such as texture, starch interaction, aeration, and protein protection. Sucrose esters find applications in cosmetics, food preservatives, additives, and other industrial products.

Market Dynamics

Sucrose esters are a preferred low-fat food alternative as they offer the same taste and help in improving the flavors of low-fat desserts. Changing consumer consumption trends and increasing purchasing power have surged the demand for packaged food products. Higher consumption of sucrose esters strongly supported by its attractive properties is considered as a significant factor contributing to the market growth. Apart from this, the emergence of naturally occurring sucrose esters for several organic cosmetic applications provides an impetus to market growth.

Rapidly Expanding Bakery and Confectionery Market to Drive the Market Growth

The bakery and confectionery markets were valued at USD 400 billion in 2019. Burgeoning spending power and surging awareness regarding the convenience and health benefits of baked products drive the market growth. Sucrose esters are widely used in confectionery products, primarily in sweet confections, which include chocolates, gummies, and other varieties. They act as an emulsifier in the production of chewies, toffee, fondants, icing, fudges, and other confectionery products. Thus, the growing baking and confectionary industries provide an impetus to market growth.   

Rising Demand for Healthy Bars and Supplements to Drive the Demand for Sucrose Esters

Globally, changing the dietary and physical activity patterns of consumers due to a sedentary lifestyle has surged the demand for healthy bars and supplements. An imbalance in the calories consumed has increased the number of obese people across the globe. As per the statistics published by the World Health Organization (WHO), more than 1.9 billion adults were overweight in 2016.

The demand for on-the-go and healthy snacks has propelled the production of energy bars and supplemental food products. The inclusion of binding syrup in cereal bars increases stickiness and makes production difficult as the product sticks to the conveyor belts or the cutting equipment. Thus, causing loss of product and frequent stops in production for cleaning purposes.

Sucrose esters act as a releasing agent as it creates small oil droplets, which reduces the stickiness of the syrup and minimizes the loss in the operations. The utilization of sucrose esters for the manufacturing of cereal bars and other supplemental products has proven to be cost-effective, further bolstering market growth.

Regional Analysis

Rapidly Growing Bakery, Confectionary, and Chocolate Industries to Drive Europe’s Market Growth

Europe’s sucrose esters market is largely driven by the rapidly growing bakery, confectionery, and chocolate industries in the region. Europe is one of the world’s largest chocolate producers, with chocolate confectionery sales of about 51% in 2018. Germany is one of the largest chocolate exporters, accounting for more than 20% of the market share, followed by the U.K.

Consumer inclination towards dark chocolate as a healthier chocolate alternative is driving the demand for sucrose esters. Chocolate manufacturers are shifting towards the use of sucrose esters from the commonly used lecithin due to their reduced effects on the viscosity of chocolate mass.

Sucrose esters provide the product with greater structure, reduced sugar, and fat bloom, and better stability. Due to their excellent emulsifying and water-solubility properties, sucrose esters are extensively used in chewing gums to enhance flavor. Sucrose esters also inhibit certain micro-organisms, which are incorporated in chewing gums for dental care. Most of the gums are covered with a sweet layer, where the texture and process of making the particular layer can be significantly improved using sucrose ester.

Segmental Analysis

Cosmetics Sector: The Largest Consumer of Sucrose Esters

The personal care product segment holds the highest market share during the forecast period on account of the increasing focus of consumers on aesthetics and looks. A massive amount of manufactured sucrose ester is deployed in the production of personal care products. Some of the sucrose esters are naturally occurring elements that are easy to handle, which is why they are extensively used for the production of lotions, gels, and other beauty sprays. The cosmetic industries are the largest consumer of sucrose esters as the material helps in improving the skin softness and provides moisturizing effects.

Sucrose esters are widely used in the production of lipsticks to increase the creaminess and provide better gloss. Rising consumer income, coupled with increasing spending on personal care products, bolsters the segment growth. Additionally, increasing social media influence and digital marketing provides a fillip to the segment growth.  

Versatile Capabilities of Liquid Sucrose Ester Drives the Segment Growth

The liquid segment holds the largest market share on account of its easy solubility in various applications as compared to the other forms. The liquid form is largely used in the beverage industry for the manufacturing of beverages, such as modified milk, freezing drinks, and other beverages. Liquid sucrose esters help in increasing the stability of the beverages, prevent protein precipitation, and improves the taste of the beverages.

The demand for powdered sucrose esters, on the other hand, is expected to grow in the future. They are largely consumed in the agricultural sector for increasing the yield of fruits and their shelf-life. The incorporation of sucrose ester while processing, helps in uniform mixing of all ingredients, further driving the segment growth.