Top 4 Companies in the Global Humectants Market in 2025

The global humectants market reached a value of about USD 27.06 Billion in 2024. The market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 6.00% in the forecast period of 2025-2034 to reach around USD 48.46 Billion by 2034. As per the analysis by Expert Market Research, the market is expected to be driven by the growing demand for humectants in food and beverage applications.

Humectants can significantly enhance the shelf stability of food products, due to which their applications in the food and beverage sector are growing. With the surging consumer inclination towards functional beverages and food containing sugarless additives, the market for humectants is robustly growing. Several key players in the market are offering natural humectants obtained from plant fibres such as oat, wheat, and bamboo, among others. Such humectants are increasingly used to regulate moisture content and improve product quality in processed meat, bakery, confectionery, and fish products.

The surging demand for humectants in cosmetics and personal care products to retain and attract moisture is propelling the market. Humectants are also included in hair care products to make hair softer, prevent dry and brittle hair, and soothe scalp and hair irritations. Furthermore, the development of innovative humectants that can efficiently penetrate the skin and eliminate the negative sensory impacts of other humectants is expected to drive the market in the coming years.

In the paints and coatings sector, humectants are utilised to improve redispersibility and prevent tip drying in liquid colourants. They are also integral for controlling the drying properties of paints and coatings. Moreover, there is a rising demand for lower VOC humectants that can meet stringent regulations while improving the compatibility, stability, and colour of paints and colourants. Hence, the growing demand for paints and coatings amid the increasing construction activities is anticipated to bolster the market for humectants in the forecast period.

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Top Humectants Players in the World:

1. Roquette Frères

Roquette is a prominent plant-based ingredients company, based in France. The company also provides pharmaceutical excipients and aims to advance the food, nutrition, and health sectors. With operations in over 100 countries and an employee base of 8000 people, the company has a turnover of nearly EUR 3.9 billion. It also boasts 25 industrial sites and has served over 500 customers.

2. Brenntag GmbH

Brenntag GmbH is a prominent ingredients and chemicals provider. The company also provides distribution solutions for speciality and industrial chemicals and serves as a link between industrial users and chemical producers. With 1,200 employees in 16 locations across Germany, the company’s consumer base includes individual organisations and large and medium-sized corporations.

3. Cargill Inc

Cargill Inc is one of the leading agricultural companies in the world. The company connects farmers, markets, and customers for a robust supply of food. It operates in 70 operations, employing 155,000 people in the financial services and metals, food ingredients and bio-industrial, and protein and salt segments. In October 2022, the company and Naturisa S.A. entered into an agreement with Skyvest EC Holding S.A. to form a JV for serving the rising demand for high-quality shrimp feed in Ecuador. 

4. BASF SE

BASF is a leading chemical corporation, based in Germany. It has an employee base of 110,000, 6 integrated production sites, as well as JVs and subsidiaries in 80 countries. In October 2022, the company’s Coating Division unit opened an applied surface treatment technology and innovation centre in Shanghai, China, for developing innovative customised surface treatment solutions.