Global Sugar-Based Excipients Market Growth, Share, Size, Trends and Forecast (2025 - 2031)

By Type;

Powders, Direct Compression Sugars, Crystals, Syrups, and Others

By Product;

Actual Sugars , Sugar Alcohols, and Artificial Sweeteners

By Functionality;

Fillers & Diluents , Flavoring Agents , Tonicity Agents, and Others

By Formulation;

Oral Formulations , Parenteral Formulations , Topical Formulations , and Others

By Geography;

North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Middle East & Africa, and Latin America - Report Timeline (2021 - 2031)
Report ID: Rn205984029 Published Date: June, 2025 Updated Date: July, 2025

Sugar-Based Excipients Market Overview

Sugar-Based Excipients Market (USD Million)

Sugar-Based Excipients Market was valued at USD 6,088.18 million in the year 2024. The size of this market is expected to increase to USD 8,081.99 million by the year 2031, while growing at a Compounded Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 4.1%.


Global Sugar-Based Excipients Market Growth, Share, Size, Trends and Forecast

*Market size in USD million

CAGR 4.1 %


Study Period2025 - 2031
Base Year2024
CAGR (%)4.1 %
Market Size (2024)USD 6,088.18 Million
Market Size (2031)USD 8,081.99 Million
Market ConcentrationHigh
Report Pages373
6,088.18
2024
8,081.99
2031

Major Players

  • Ashland Inc.
  • Associated British Foods Plc
  • BASF SE
  • Colorcon, Inc.
  • Cargill, Inc.
  • DFE Pharma
  • FMC Corporation
  • MEGGLE AG
  • Roquette Group
  • The Lubrizol Corporatio

Market Concentration

Consolidated - Market dominated by 1 - 5 major players

Global Sugar-Based Excipients Market

Fragmented - Highly competitive market without dominant players


The Sugar-Based Excipients Market is gaining traction due to the rising demand for patient-friendly and palatable pharmaceutical formulations. These excipients are extensively used to enhance the taste, solubility, and stability of active ingredients, contributing significantly to their widespread adoption. The market has witnessed a growth of over 30% in demand for orally disintegrating tablets and syrups that use these excipients for improved compliance.

Growth Drivers
Key drivers fueling market growth include the increasing focus on pediatric and geriatric medications, where taste and ease of administration are vital. With nearly 40% of pharmaceutical formulations requiring sweetening or bulking agents, sugar-based excipients are becoming indispensable. The growing demand for non-toxic and biodegradable excipients is also propelling this market.

Technological Advancements
Recent innovations in granulation and co-processing techniques have improved the performance of sugar-based excipients, making them more effective in controlled drug release and stability. Approximately 25% of new oral dosage formulations now incorporate co-processed sugar excipients to enhance bioavailability. This trend reflects a shift towards advanced formulation technologies in the pharmaceutical sector.

Rising Demand Across Applications
The demand for sugar-based excipients is rising not only in solid and liquid dosage forms but also in chewable and effervescent tablets, where they improve texture and solubility. Over 35% of over-the-counter (OTC) drugs use sugar-based excipients for better patient adherence and product differentiation. This broad application range ensures steady market traction.

Future Outlook
The future of the sugar-based excipients market looks promising with an expected increase of more than 20% in pharmaceutical R&D investments focusing on taste-masked and user-friendly drug delivery systems. As pharmaceutical companies emphasize formulation aesthetics and patient experience, the strategic role of sugar-based excipients will become even more pronounced.

  1. Introduction
    1. Research Objectives and Assumptions
    2. Research Methodology
    3. Abbreviations
  2. Market Definition & Study Scope
  3. Executive Summary
    1. Market Snapshot, By Type
    2. Market Snapshot, By Product
    3. Market Snapshot, By Functionality
    4. Market Snapshot, By Formulation
    5. Market Snapshot, By Region
  4. Sugar-Based Excipients Market Dynamics
    1. Drivers, Restraints and Opportunities
      1. Drivers
        1. Use of combination-processed excipients

        2. Adoption of co-processed excipients

        3. Challenges from patent cliffs

      2. Restraints
        1. Ongoing regulatory approval hurdles

        2. Strict quality control standards

        3. Limited FDA approval rates

      3. Opportunities
        1. Rising use of co-processed excipients

        2. Advancements in drug delivery systems

        3. Growing geriatric population segment

    2. PEST Analysis
      1. Political Analysis
      2. Economic Analysis
      3. Social Analysis
      4. Technological Analysis
    3. Porter's Analysis
      1. Bargaining Power of Suppliers
      2. Bargaining Power of Buyers
      3. Threat of Substitutes
      4. Threat of New Entrants
      5. Competitive Rivalry
  5. Market Segmentation
    1. Sugar-Based Excipients Market, By Product, 2021 - 2031 (USD Million)

      1. Powders
      2. Direct Compression Sugars
      3. Crystals
      4. Syrups
      5. Others
    2. Sugar-Based Excipients Market, By Product, 2021 - 2031 (USD Million)
      1. Actual Sugars
      2. Sugar Alcohols
      3. Artificial Sweeteners
    3. Sugar-Based Excipients Market, By Functionality, 2021 - 2031 (USD Million)
      1. Fillers & Diluents
      2. Flavoring Agents
      3. Tonicity Agents
      4. Other Functionalities
    4. Sugar-Based Excipients Market, By Formulation, 2021 - 2031 (USD Million)
      1. Oral Formulations
      2. Parenteral Formulations
      3. Topical Formulations
      4. Other Formulations
    5. Sugar-Based Excipients Market, By Geography, 2021 - 2031 (USD Million)
      1. North America
        1. United States
        2. Canada
      2. Europe
        1. Germany
        2. United Kingdom
        3. France
        4. Italy
        5. Spain
        6. Nordic
        7. Benelux
        8. Rest of Europe
      3. Asia Pacific
        1. Japan
        2. China
        3. India
        4. Australia & New Zealand
        5. South Korea
        6. ASEAN(Association of South East Asian Countries)
        7. Rest of Asia Pacific
      4. Middle East & Africa
        1. GCC
        2. Israel
        3. South Africa
        4. Rest of Middle East & Africa
      5. Latin America
        1. Brazil
        2. Mexico
        3. Argentina
        4. Rest of Latin America
  6. Competitive Landscape
    1. Company Profiles
      1. Ashland Inc.
      2. Associated British Foods Plc
      3. BASF SE
      4. Colorcon, Inc.
      5. Cargill, Inc.
      6. DFE Pharma
      7. FMC Corporation
      8. MEGGLE AG
      9. Roquette Group
      10. The Lubrizol Corporation
  7. Analyst Views
  8. Future Outlook of the Market