Capric Acid Market Size, Share, and Industry Analysis, By Source (Plant and Animal), By Application (Pharmaceuticals, Food & Beverage, Personal Care & Cosmetics, Industrial Chemicals and Others), and Regional Forecast, 2024-2032

Capric acid, commonly named as hexanoic acid or decanoic acid, belongs to the category of organic compounds, known as saturated-fatty acids and medium-chain fatty acids. This acid is a member of the fatty acids, which are easily found in animal fats and vegetable oils. Since few years, the demand for capric acid has been soaring amid the various end-use industries, mainly in the food & beverage and pharmaceutical sectors, due to the increasing awareness of natural products. In the food & beverage industry, this acid is used as an emulsifier and also in the development of synthetic flavors due to its antimicrobial activity. Also, due to its antimicrobial nature, capric acid is used in the meat processing industry, breweries, and wineries. Moreover, this acid can be used to enhance the flavor of cuisines, further improving the overall palatability of the end product. Thus, such qualities make it one of the appropriate choices for commercial food service.

Likewise, in food & beverage, capric acid acts as a valuable component in chemical industries, where it is used for the production of dyes and lubricants. In the oil & gas industry, this acid is used as a flotation aid and as a solubilizer for mineral oils. Other than this, in the pharma sector, capric acid plays a significant role in maintaining the stability of medicines and thus ensures that their effectiveness remains throughout their shelf life. Moreover, as a part of nutritional supplements, decanoic acid is recognized as a contributor to healthy metabolism. Beyond its presence in the food & beverage and chemical industries, capric acid also has a substantial role in the cosmetic industry, where it is widely used in shampoos, lotions, and creams for providing hydration to the hair and skin.

Key Insights

The report covers the following key insights:

• Overview of the Parent/Related Market


• Supply Chain and Regulatory Analysis


• Impact of COVID-19 on the Global Capric Acid Market


• Recent Key Industry Developments

Segmentation

Analysis by Source

On the basis of source, the global market is segmented into plant and animal. Out of both, the plant segment witnessed the maximum share in the market as it is mainly derived from natural sources, especially vegetable oil sources (palm kernel and coconut oil). The rising trend of organic products and increasing emphasis on animal welfare supports the extraction of capric acid from plant-based sources. Also, the rising need for natural supplements and the trend of veganism further contribute to the plant-based capric acid.

As compared to plants, capric acid is minimally found in the mammal’s milk and, to a significantly lesser extent, in other various animal-sourced fats.

Analysis by Application

On the basis of application, the market is distributed into pharmaceuticals, food & beverage, personal care & cosmetics, industrial chemicals, and others. Amongst all, the food & beverage segment held the maximum share of the global market in terms of application. Firstly, due to its antimicrobial potential, capric acid is used as one of the valuable additives for preserving food. Secondly, it is used as an emulsifier in products such as sauces and dressings and also acts as a contributor to the flavor profile of various food items.

After the food & beverage category, industrial chemicals emerged as the second prominent region in the capric market. The growth in mining activities over a few decades has intensified the demand for capric acid in the extraction of ores and metals. Also, it is used as a lubricant in the chemical industry and widely used for the production of synthetic rubber, soaps, greases and candles.  

Regional Analysis

On the basis of geographical region, the market is distributed into North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, South America, and Middle East & Africa. Amongst all the regions, Asia Pacific accounts for the dominant market share across the globe. Key producers of capric acid are emphasizing the region owing to its promising opportunities in flavoring and synthetic color amid the rapidly growing food industry. China, Japan and India are the significant producers of processed foods in the Asian region and are anticipated to take the lead across the market. Furthermore, the increasing demand for lubricants and greases in the oil & gas industry is likely to amplify the demand for capric acid.

North America is the second largest market for capric acid due to the presence of major market players and increasing R&D investments in the production of capric acid.

Key Players Covered

Key players in the market include KLK Oleo, Univar Solutions, Temix Oleo, Acme-Hardesty Co., IOI Oleo GmbH, Wilmar International, P&G Chemicals, Permata Group, and Muslim Mas Group.  

Key Industry Developments

• In October 2022, as per a study published by the National Library of Medicine, a subsidiary of the National Institutes of Health, a Government agency in the U.S., capric acid can be used as a supplement for colon aberrations and intestinal diseases.