• In March 2023, Darling Ingredients completed its 1.2 billion acquisition of Gelnex, gaining six gelatin and collagen production facilities across South America and the US—boosting annual capacity by 46,000 metric tons to support rising demand in food, pharma, and nutrition markets.

• In November 2022, Perfect Day acquired India’s Sterling Biotech Limited, a major gelatin producer, enabling expansion into animal-free and pharmaceutical-grade gelatin through its precision fermentation and ingredient technology platform.

In this report, the Gelatin Market has been segmented by Source, Type, Function, Application, and Geography.

Gelatin Market, Segmentation by Source

The Gelatin Market has been segmented by Source into Porcine, Bovine skin, Bovine Bone and Fish & Poultry.

Porcine

Porcine-derived gelatin dominates the global market, accounting for over 40% of the total share due to its cost-effectiveness and high gelling strength. It is widely used in the food and pharmaceutical industries, particularly in confectionery and capsule manufacturing. However, religious and dietary restrictions limit its adoption in certain regions.

Bovine Skin

Bovine skin gelatin contributes to approximately 30% of the market and is valued for its compatibility with halal and kosher certifications. It offers excellent clarity and viscosity, making it a preferred choice in the cosmetics and dairy sectors. Its sourcing from hide ensures high availability and lower production variability.

Bovine Bone

Gelatin sourced from bovine bones represents nearly 20% of the global market. This type is known for its higher mineral content and firmness, making it suitable for nutraceuticals and gel-based supplements. It also has strong acceptance in regions adhering to religious dietary laws.

Fish & Poultry

Fish and poultry-based gelatin holds a smaller market share of around 10%, but its demand is growing rapidly due to its allergen-friendly and non-mammalian origin. This segment is particularly gaining traction in cosmeceuticals and marine-based health products.

Gelatin Market, Segmentation by Type

The Gelatin Market has been segmented by Type into Type A and Type B.

Type A

Type A gelatin is derived through acid processing, primarily from porcine sources. It accounts for approximately 55% of the global market share. Known for its higher isoelectric point, it is extensively used in pharmaceutical capsules and desserts due to its superior clarity and gelling strength.

Type B

Type B gelatin, processed via alkaline treatment from bovine hides and bones, holds nearly 45% of the market. It is favored for its lower isoelectric point and enhanced foam stability, making it suitable for dairy products, marshmallows, and cosmetic applications. It also enjoys wider religious and regional acceptance.

Gelatin Market, Segmentation by Function

The Gelatin Market has been segmented by Function into Thickening, Gelling, and Stabilizing.

Thickening

Thickening is a key functional use of gelatin, contributing to enhanced texture and mouthfeel in food applications. It holds nearly 35% of the market function share, especially in sauces, dairy products, and soups. Its ability to absorb water and swell makes it ideal for increasing viscosity.

Gelling

The gelling function represents around 45% of the gelatin market and is essential in confectionery, desserts, and capsule manufacturing. Gelatin’s reversible gel-forming property offers flexibility and thermosensitivity, making it valuable across food and pharmaceutical applications.

Stabilizing

Stabilizing accounts for about 20% of the functional use of gelatin. It helps maintain product consistency and prevents ingredient separation in emulsified and whipped products. This function is particularly important in yogurt, ice cream, and cosmetics.

Gelatin Market, Segmentation by Application

The Gelatin Market has been segmented by Application into Food and Pharmaceuticals & Healthcare.

Food

Food applications account for nearly 60% of the gelatin market, driven by its role in confectionery, dairy products, meat processing, and bakery goods. Gelatin enhances texture, provides binding properties, and improves the shelf life of processed foods. Its versatility and clean-label appeal make it a preferred choice across various culinary uses.

Pharmaceuticals & Healthcare

The pharmaceuticals & healthcare segment holds around 40% of the market share. Gelatin is widely used in hard and soft capsule production, wound dressings, and nutraceuticals due to its excellent biocompatibility and digestibility. Its role in drug delivery systems and tissue engineering continues to support its growing adoption in the medical field.

Gelatin Market, Segmentation by Geography

In this report, the Gelatin Market has been segmented by Geography into five regions; North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Middle East and Africa, and Latin America.

Gelatin Market Share (%), by Geographical Region

North America

North America holds a significant share of the gelatin market, contributing nearly 30% of the global demand. The region benefits from a well-established pharmaceutical industry and growing preference for clean-label food ingredients. High R&D investments also support the development of gelatin-based health supplements.

Europe

Europe accounts for around 25% of the market, driven by strong demand in confectionery, dairy, and nutraceuticals. The region has stringent regulatory frameworks and high consumer awareness regarding product origin, making halal- and kosher-certified gelatin especially important.

Asia Pacific

Asia Pacific leads in growth rate and represents approximately 28% of the market. Rising health awareness, increasing protein supplement consumption, and expansion in processed food industries fuel the demand. Countries like China and India are key growth hubs due to their large populations and evolving dietary preferences.

Middle East and Africa

The Middle East and Africa contribute around 10% of the market, with increasing demand for halal-certified gelatin and growth in the pharmaceutical and cosmeceutical sectors. Regional manufacturers are focusing on expanding production to meet specific religious compliance and import substitution requirements.

Latin America

Latin America holds nearly 7% of the gelatin market, driven by growth in meat processing and food applications. Brazil and Mexico are prominent markets due to their expanding health supplement industries and increasing consumer demand for fortified foods.

This report provides an in depth analysis of various factors that impact the dynamics of Gelatin Market. These factors include; Market Drivers, Restraints and Opportunities Analysis.

Drivers, Restraints and Opportunity Analysis

Drivers

• Growing Food Industry Demand
• Increasing Pharmaceutical Applications
• Rising Gelatin-based Products

• Expanding Cosmetic Industry Use - Soaring demand for collagen-supporting ingredients in beauty and personal-care lines is powering gelatin consumption. Consumers seeking firmer skin, stronger nails, and healthier hair increasingly turn to gelatin-infused supplements, powders, and gummies that fit seamlessly into daily routines.

  Because gelatin is hydrolyzed from collagen, it naturally delivers the amino acids needed to enhance skin elasticity and hydration. Formulators appreciate its clean-label appeal and reliable film-forming ability, using it in peel-off masks, serums, and moisturizing creams to lock in moisture and deliver a smooth finish.

  The “beauty-from-within” trend blurs the line between nutrition and skincare, creating opportunities for nutricosmetics that pair ingestible gelatin with topical solutions for amplified results. Both premium and mass markets are expanding SKUs, signaling durable growth for gelatin suppliers.

  As cosmetic brands race to launch multipurpose products backed by science, gelatin’s proven efficacy, versatility, and consumer familiarity position it as a cornerstone ingredient in next-generation beauty innovations.

Restraints

• Raw Material Price Fluctuations
• Stringent Regulatory Requirements
• Health and Safety Concerns

• Animal Welfare Issue - Mounting concern over animal welfare is constraining gelatin demand. Traditional production relies on bovine and porcine by-products, prompting ethical objections from vegans, vegetarians, and ethically minded shoppers who scrutinize supply-chain transparency.

  Religious and cultural dietary laws further complicate adoption. Only gelatin certified halal or kosher meets the needs of certain consumer groups, limiting global market reach and increasing compliance costs.

  Activist campaigns spotlighting industrial livestock practices have intensified calls for cruelty-free alternatives, driving research into agar, pectin, and lab-grown collagen analogs. Yet many substitutes still struggle to match gelatin’s unique gelling strength, clarity, and mouthfeel.

  Until scalable, sensory-equivalent replacements emerge—or producers demonstrate verifiable humane sourcing—animal-origin concerns will continue to temper growth in otherwise high-potential segments.

Opportunities

• Emerging Markets Growth
• Innovative Product Development
• Rising Vegan Alternatives Demand

• Expanding Functional Food Applications - The surge in functional foods is opening lucrative avenues for gelatin. Health-focused consumers embrace snacks, beverages, and meal replacements that promise benefits beyond basic nutrition, and gelatin’s rich amino-acid profile makes it a natural fit.

  In protein bars, fortified gummies, and ready-to-drink shakes, gelatin acts as both a texturizer and a bioactive that supports joint comfort, gut integrity, and skin vitality. Its ability to stabilize foams and emulsions streamlines production while delivering a satisfying bite or sip.

  As collagen awareness climbs, aging populations and fitness enthusiasts are driving demand for ingredients that stimulate natural collagen synthesis. Gelatin checks the box for “clean,” minimally processed, and recognizable, reinforcing its appeal under the clean-label movement.

  Food brands that articulate these advantages and integrate gelatin into convenient, delicious formats stand to capture significant share in the fast-growing wellness aisle, cementing gelatin’s role as a key functional component.

Key players in Gelatin Market include:

• Gelita AG
• PB Leiner
• Collagen Solutions
• Ewald-Gelatin GmbH
• Jungbunzlauer
• Rousselot
• Sientra Inc
• Nitta Gelatin Inc
• Weishardt Group
• Gelnex

In this report, the profile of each market player provides following information:

• Company Overview and Product Portfolio
• Market Share Analysis
• Key Developments
• Financial Overview
• Strategies
• Company SWOT Analysis