Gum arabic is a complex combination of glycoproteins and polysaccharides that contain arabinose and galactose polymers. Gum arabic is also known as sudani gum, acacia gum, and Arabic gum. It is a natural gum made of hardened sap from two different plants, Senegalia senegal and Vachellia seyal. Since it is edible and soluble in water, it is frequently employed as a stabilizer in the food and beverage industries. It is also a major component in lithography and is used in paint manufacturing, cosmetics, printing, and other industrial uses such as textiles.
According to OMR Research, the global gum arabic market is expected to increase at a CAGR of 6.2% during the forecast period (2023–2029), from $855.0 million in 2021 to $1.3 billion in 2028. The need for gum arabic as a thickening, clarifying, gelling, emulsifying, and stabilizing ingredient in a number of end-user sectors, including food and beverages, cosmetics and personal care, and pharmaceuticals, is driving the market. Additionally, with the growing popularity of veganism and the plant-based lifestyle, demand for food additives such as natural gums is expected to rise throughout the projected period.
Segments of the Market
The global gum arabic market is segmented on the basis of type and application. On the basis of type, it is sub-segmented into two types. Gum arabic is obtained from two varieties of acacia trees found mostly in Sub-Saharan Africa: Acacia senegal and Acacia seyal. Acacia senegal produces the strongest and most costly emulsifier, which accounts for its 66.0% market share in 2021. Further, based on applications, the market is sub-segmented into food and beverages, pharmaceuticals and dietary supplements, personal care and cosmetics, paints and inks, and others, such as the paper and pulp industry, textile industry, and printing industry.
Recent Developments
Key competitors in the market include Archer Daniels Midland Company, Ashland Inc., Kerry Group, Ingredion, Inc., Nexira, and others. To maintain their market dominance, these companies focus on product innovation and capacity development. Some of the recent developments in the global gum Arabic market include:
• In January 2023, at CES 2023, Kohler debuted aromatherapy-infused products through Sprig. Sprig is Kohler's new lifestyle brand, including shower infusion systems with natural shower infusion pods, adaptable body and linen mists, and aromatherapy-infused bath bombs. One of the Relax Shower Infusion Pods from the product collection has a calming scent of chamomile and green tea. The Relax Shower Infusion Pod includes: Acacia Senegal Gum, Fragrance (Parfum), Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl Glycol, Water (Aqua), Glycerin, Heptyl Glucoside, and other ingredients.
• In January 2022, in response to a citizen petition presented by Nexira, Alland & Robert, and Importers Service Corporation, the FDA approved the use of gum arabic as a dietary fiber.
• In October 2022, CP Kelco introduced KELCOGEL DFA Gellan Gum, a single-ingredient, dual-function solution for creating plant-based, dairy-free drinks. It is a Senegal kind of acacia gum. It provides the proper suspension and mouthfeel, allowing product producers to reduce the number of ingredients in their product.
• In February 2022, Alland and Robert contributed their knowledge by introducing powdered organic acacia gum in a daypack of 150 grams net. The product is sold online through the French marketplace Greenweez and Amazon.
• In June 2022, Alland & Robert, in collaboration with Grif Cosmetics, undertook trial research to investigate the film-foaming and adhesive characteristics of gum acacia in personal care products. The study discovered that natural gums have several characteristics. They are employed as emulsifiers, processing aids, texturizing agents, tensor agents, film-forming agents, and suspension agents, and they improve the consistency and thickness of mascara.
Conclusion
Gum arabic is widely used in soft and alcoholic beverages (carbonated drinks, syrups, smoothies, beer, and wine); dairy goods (ice cream, yogurt, and other frozen desserts); and confectionery and bakery items (sweets and pastry dough). Hence, the growth of the food industry owing to the increasing population and urbanization will lead to an increased demand for gum arabic. Additionally, rising demand for gum arabic in the pharmaceutical, cosmetic, and paper-making sectors is expected to boost the market in the near future. Furthermore, the players are performing acquisition and partnership activities to create plant-based components. Nexira, for instance, purchased UNIPEKTIN Ingredients AG in November 2021. Nexira's position as a significant leader in natural plant-based ingredients has been strengthened by this purchase. Nexira can now provide a full spectrum of high-performance texturizers, natural and clean labels, and premium grades of locust bean gum for high-quality, difficult applications. Such factors are bolstering the market’s growth further.