Antioxidants Market Size, Share & Industry Analysis, By Type (Natural and Synthetic), By Application (Food & Feed Additive, Pharmaceutical & Personal Care Products, Fuel & Lubricant Additives, Plastic, Rubber, & Latex Additives, and Others), and Regional Forecast, 2024-2032

The global antioxidants market size was USD 4.59 billion in 2023 and is expected to grow from USD 4.84 billion in 2024 to USD 7.64 billion by 2032 at a CAGR of 5.87% over the forecast period. Asia Pacific dominated the antioxidants market with a market share of 43.79% in 2023. Moreover, the antioxidants market size in the U.S. is projected to grow significantly, reaching an estimated value of USD 678.55 million by 2032, driven by well-established food industry and the rapidly expanding defense and aerospace sector.

Antioxidants are compounds that inhibit free radical formation by preventing the oxidation process that may damage the cells of organisms. They can be obtained naturally from various fruits and vegetables, such as raspberries, spinach, and eggplant or are artificially synthesized to be utilized as additives for numerous purposes. Other than its wide incorporation as a preservative in various processed food products, it is extensively used as a fuel, plastic, and latex additive. Along with this, it is also a vital ingredient in various pharmaceutical and cosmetic products. Further, the rising global population, high demand for processed foods, and the surging growth in the pharma sector are some of the factors that would cumulatively aid in driving the market throughout the forecast period (2021-2032).

The COVID-19 pandemic outbreak has bashed hard on the global economy and various end-use industries. The food and beverage industry has seen several highs and lows in its functioning amidst this pandemic. Due to the government imposing lockdowns and implementing social distancing norms, various manufacturing facilities remained shut. The market’s supply chain was also disrupted due to the imposition of trade barriers and restricted public mobility. Any imports or exports from China abstained as it was the epicenter for the virus outbreak. This affected the market negatively as it is an important additive and ingredients manufacturing country. To cope with the outbreak, manufacturing companies had to halt their manufacturing plants in Asia.

For instance, BASF SE suspended its manufacturing operations across India. However, the global situation normalizing and the industry returning to its usual pace offers various growth opportunities for improving the industry’s performance. As the recovery initiates, market players are trying to recuperate the losses by strategic alliances and expanding their production bases, which is also anticipated to boost the market growth.

Antioxidants Market Trends

Increasing Demand for Antioxidants-enriched Cosmetics and Personal Care Products is a Vital Trend

The growing demand for anti-aging products among consumers has gradually prompted the rise in the utilization of these compounds in numerous cosmetic products. These products protect the human cells against any inflammatory and aging damage. They are incorporated in several personal care products, such as creams, conditioners, shampoos, body lotions, and others to prevent them from spoilage and from turning rancid on exposure to oxygen. Some of the common antioxidant compounds used in cosmetics are vitamin A, vitamin C, butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA), and others. Europe is one of the key markets for cosmetics products. The steadily increasing demand for natural ingredients makes Europe an attractive market for companies seeking to enter the segment as well as develop new and innovative natural ingredients for cosmetics & personal care products. According to the Centre for the Promotion of Imports from Developing Countries (CBI EU), the European natural & organic cosmetics market is one of the key markets, accounting for nearly 38% of the global market. According to the Soil Association indicated that the U.K.’s organic health & beauty market has grown at an average rate of 47% over the last 12 consecutive years.

Antioxidants Market Growth Factors

Increasing Consumption of Processed Food to Propel Market Growth

Antioxidants are continuing to gain momentum in the food and beverage industry and are nowadays considered an important additive. The increasing consumer awareness about several benefits of the additive in preventing chronic diseases, such as diabetes, has led to its wide utilization. The increasing demand and consumption of processed foods, which widely contain antioxidant compounds, has influenced market growth. Its presence prevents oxidation and extends the shelf-life of the food. The increasing working population and the fast-paced lifestyle of people have led to their surging reliance on processed foods. According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2019, the working population in the U.S. increased from 64.4% in 2018 to 64.9% in 2019.

Further, functional foods are becoming more influential, and consumers are demanding high-protein, nutritionally rich superfoods. These factors influenced manufacturers to come up with innovative products and adopt new technologies. For instance, in December 2023, BASF SE, a global company, launched Irgastab® PUR 71, a cutting-edge antioxidant that improves regulatory compliance and performance for polyols and polyurethane foams.

Surging Urbanization & Increasing Global Meat Consumption to Spur Market Growth

Rising disposable income, growing population, and rapid urbanization significantly fuelled the demand for animal products in developing economies. According to World Bank Data, by 2020, 55% of the global population will inhibit the cities, and the trend is likely to continue in the upcoming years. Global meat consumption has constantly been increasing over the past 20 years, which has spurred by 58% to reach 360 million tons. Out of which, 54% of this increase is attributed to population growth. With various traditional meat preservation techniques, such as salting, drying, and smoking, the sector has evolved to multiple advanced methods, namely, novel thermal treatments and the addition of preservatives. This is expected to fuel the demand and sales of these compounds, which, in turn, will aid in boosting the antioxidants market growth.

RESTRAINING FACTORS

Stringent Regulations on Food Additives to Hamper Market Performance

Various regulatory bodies closely monitor the food additives and preservatives content as it poses a public health risk. A few of the major threats are allergic responses and digestive disorders. To ensure maximum food safety, these regulatory bodies have laid down various norms about the dosage amount of preservatives used in food products. Long-term efforts are made in terms of food standards, food legislation, and flood control systems to counter the additives' overdosage and quality discrepancies. This negatively impacts the new product approvals and the operations thereby, hampering the market growth.

Antioxidants Market Segmentation Analysis

By Type Analysis

Synthetic Segment to Hold Prominent Share Owing to its Wide Availability 

Synthetic antioxidants are chemically synthesized by various techniques extensively used in food, feed, fuel, and other industries. There are majorly four types of them - butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA), butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT), propyl gallate (PG), and tert-butyl hydroquinone (TBHQ). The maximum permissible limit of synthetic compounds in food varies across the region and the type of food it is being used in. The segment is likely to hold the major share in the market due to its wide availability and lower costs. The demand for natural antioxidant compounds is witnessing a surge among consumers due to their growing inclination towards safer and clean-label products. The natural antioxidants industry size is relatively smaller than its synthetic counterpart but exhibits a tremendous potential to emerge as the leading segment in the years to come.

By Application Analysis

Plastic, Rubber, and Latex Additives Segment to Grow Steadily Backed by the Need to Enhance Appearance 

The plastic, rubber, and latex additives segment is highly lucrative with the extensive utilization. They are added to plastic products to inhibit the degradation due to thermo-mechanical or thermo-oxidative conditions. They also help in enhancing the appearance, strength, stiffness, and flexibility of the product. An increase in the demand for these products is a major factor expected to drive the market during the forthcoming years.

The food and feed additives segment is anticipated to grow substantially due to the increasing demand for the additive in various meat poultry products and animal food. They are added to the food and feed to enhance its nutritional properties, maintain its flavor, freshness, and odor. Further, the expanding food industry is anticipated to support the market growth.

The fuel and lubricant additive segment is gaining traction due to the product's performance-enhancing and oxidation slowing properties.

REGIONAL INSIGHTS

Asia Pacific in 2023 held the largest antioxidants market share and stood at USD 2.01 billion. The region is showcasing significant growth in the market, as it is one of the biggest consumers of fuel. The rising population and fastest growing demand for fuel from various end-use sectors, such as power generation industries and transportation, are likely to boost the market growth. In addition to this, the large processed food sector of the region also helps in driving the market.

According to the Food Export Association of the Midwest USA, Japan is the third-largest packaged food industry after the U.S. and China. The increased digitization and the rising consumer awareness about the benefits of the product and its uses have also contributed to boosting regional performance.

North America is projected to witness significant growth in the market. The well-established food industry and the rapidly expanding defense and aerospace sector have propelled the regional market growth. Manufacturers improvising and utilizing new advanced technologies for formulating antioxidant blends have supported the expansion. Further, the increased incorporation of the additive among plastic, latex, lubricant, and rubber industries, coupled with the existence of major players in the region, will influence growth.

Europe is expected to foresee considerable growth due to a well-established automotive sector and an increasing number of personal vehicles. According to the European Automobile Manufacturers Association, in 2023, the EU car market has experienced nearly 13.9% growth compared to 2022, reaching a full-year volume of 10.5 million units. Additionally, the region is witnessing a surging demand for cosmetic products and is currently the largest cosmetic market, which, in turn, will stimulate growth.

The increasing tourism and expanding food industry in the Middle East are the factors driving the regional market growth. The surging strategic urbanization in Africa has influenced a rise in meat consumption in the region. Further, the huge livestock sector also plays a crucial role in driving the market.

South America is observing significant industrialization and development, which would pave new ways for the region to flourish in the upcoming years. Countries such as Brazil and Argentina are experiencing strong industrial growth and improvement in the standard of living.

List of Key Companies in Antioxidants Market

Geographical Expansion and New Product Launches are the Strategies Adopted by Key Players to Compete with Rivals

With several global key players capturing a significant share, the market is moderately consolidated in nature. Archer Daniels Midland Company, BASF SE, Givaudan, Kemin Industries Inc., Koninklijke DSM N.V., and ICC Industries Inc. (Frutarom Industries Ltd.) are some of the major players in the market.

These players are set to boost their market presence and expand their product portfolios. They are focusing on strategic alliances and expanding their production capabilities. For instance, a couple of years back, BASF opened its antioxidant manufacturing plant in Shanghai, China, with a production capacity of 42,000 tons.

LIST OF KEY COMPANIES PROFILED

• BASF SE (Ludwigshafen, Germany)


• ICC Industries Inc. (United States)


• Kemin Industries Inc. (Iowa, United States)


• Archer Daniels Midland Company (Illinois, United States)


• Barentz International BV (Hoofddorp, Netherlands)


• Kalsec, Inc. (Michigan, United States)


• Eastman Chemical Company (Tennessee, United States)


• Camlin Fine Sciences Ltd. (Maharashtra, India)


• Koninklijke DSM N.V. (Heerlen, Netherlands)


• Givaudan (Vernier, Switzerland)

KEY INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENTS

• February 2024: OZiva, an Indian clean-label and plant-based wellness brand, introduced its OZiva Bioactive Gluta Fizzy, an antioxidant formulated for skin care and to control skin cell damage.


• May 2022: BASF SE, a global company, doubled its production capacity in Singapore by opening an additional production line at its antioxidants plant on Jurong Island.


• March 2022: A&B Ingredients, a global specialty ingredients manufacturing company, expanded its product offering by adding its innovative, clean-labelled, and natural antioxidants - CytoGUARD ZOX.


• February 2022: Florida Food Products (FFP), an American company, launched a new plant-based antioxidant, VegStable Fresh, during the International Production & Processing Expo (IPPE) in Atlanta. This product is extracted from green tea, rosemary, acerola, and rice bran extract.


• March 2021: Rodan + Fields, a North American skincare brand, announced its patent approval for an innovative synergistic antioxidant complex for skincare products from the U.S. patent and trademark office.

REPORT COVERAGE

The market research report provides qualitative and quantitative insights into the market. It also offers a detailed analysis of the market size and growth rate for all the segments. Various key insights presented in the report are an overview of related markets, recent industry developments such as mergers & acquisitions, competitive landscape, the regulatory scenario in critical countries, and key industry trends.

Report Scope & Segmentation