Global Microcrystalline Cellulose Market Size, Share, Growth Analysis Report - Forecast 2034

Microcrystalline Cellulose Market: Industry Perspective

The global microcrystalline cellulose market size was worth around USD 2.24 Billion in 2024 and is predicted to grow to around USD 4.56 Billion by 2034 with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of roughly 7.34% between 2025 and 2034. The report analyzes the global microcrystalline cellulose market's drivers, restraints/challenges, and the effect they have on the demands during the projection period. In addition, the report explores emerging opportunities in the microcrystalline cellulose industry.

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Microcrystalline Cellulose Market: Overview

Microcrystalline cellulose is refined wood pulp adopted as a bulking agent, extender, texturizer, fat substitute, emulsifier, anticaking agent, and others. It is largely used as a supplement in the form of a tablet. It is extracted with the help of a controlled hydrolysis process. Purified alpha-cellulose extracted from natural wood cellulose with mineral acid is hydrolyzed to produce microcrystalline cellulose. It is a partial deep polymerized cellulose in pure form. There are many ways to synthesize microcrystalline cellulose like enzyme-mediated synthesis, steam explosion acid hydrolysis, and reactive exclusion. Microcrystalline cellulose is used in a number of applications in the personal care, food, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic sector. It is also found in ice cream, whipped cream, and frozen yogurts. Most of the low-fat dairy products contain microcrystalline cellulose.

Key Insights

• As per the analysis shared by our research analyst, the global microcrystalline cellulose market is estimated to grow annually at a CAGR of around 7.34% over the forecast period (2025-2034).
• Regarding revenue, the global microcrystalline cellulose market size was valued at around USD 2.24 Billion in 2024 and is projected to reach USD 4.56 Billion by 2034.
• The microcrystalline cellulose market is projected to grow at a significant rate due to rising demand from pharmaceutical, food, and cosmetic industries, increasing preference for excipients in drug formulation, growth in processed food consumption, and stringent quality regulations.
• Based on Material, the Wood Based segment is expected to lead the global market.
• On the basis of Product Grade, the Pharmaceutical Grade segment is growing at a high rate and will continue to dominate the global market.
• Based on region, North America is predicted to dominate the global market during the forecast period.

Microcrystalline Cellulose Market: Growth Drivers

High demand from the pharmaceutical sector will fuel the growth of the global market.

Microcrystalline cellulose is massively used as an excipient in the pharmaceutical sector owing to its superior compressibility properties. It is majorly utilized in the form of solid-like tablets. It functions as direct compression excipients which work like anti-adherent, filler, absorbent, tablet disintegrant, and dry binder. It is utilized in both direct compression and wet granulation processes for capsule and oral tablet formulations. Its properties like disintegrant and lubricant make it ideal for direct tableting. The pharmaceutical segment is growing exponentially in several regions all across the globe, which in turn is also likely to spike the demand for microcrystalline cellulose in the market. The constantly growing production of pharmaceutical products, particularly in emerging countries like India, China, and Brazil, is likely to drive the growth of the global microcrystalline cellulose market in the forthcoming years.

Microcrystalline Cellulose Market: Restraints

Availability of substitutes will hamper the growth of the global market.

Microcrystalline cellulose has majorly no available substitutes, but there are few products that are better than microcrystalline cellulose and can be highly used in special applications. A few of such products include carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC), croscarmellose sodium, kappa-carrageenan, and others. These products are widely being used in the food and beverage sector to stabilize baking products and ice creams.

Microcrystalline Cellulose Market: Opportunities

Growing inclination towards non-wood-based microcrystalline cellulose is likely to create new growth opportunities in the global market.

Microcrystalline cellulose is currently manufactured with the help of wood pulp. However, production is quite expensive for manufacturers. Therefore, manufacturers are finding non-wood sources better than wood pulp. Non-wood sources include agricultural waste and have no environmental impact. Such new techniques are still in process. But such technology is likely to pose a huge growth opportunity in the global market in the forthcoming years.

Microcrystalline Cellulose Market: Challenges

Production of glucose microcrystalline cellulose is a huge challenge in the global market.

Manufacturing microcrystalline cellulose requires several steps like drying, bleaching, washing, and acid hydrolysis before the production of the end product. Therefore, it raises the cost of the production of microcrystalline cellulose. Manufacturers are striving hard to lower the overall production of non-wood-based microcrystalline cellulose, and therefore, it has emerged as a huge challenge in the global market.

Microcrystalline Cellulose Market: Segmentation Analysis

The global microcrystalline cellulose market is segmented based on Material, Product Grade, and region.

Based on Material, the global microcrystalline cellulose market is divided into Wood Based, Non-wood Based.

On the basis of Product Grade, the global microcrystalline cellulose market is bifurcated into Pharmaceutical Grade, Industrial Grade, Food Grade.

Microcrystalline Cellulose Market: Report Scope

Microcrystalline Cellulose Market: Regional Landscape

Asia Pacific accounts for the largest share in the global microcrystalline cellulose market due to the fast proliferating end-user sector in the region. Furthermore, the constantly growing disposable income of the people in the region will further complement the growth of the market. There is high demand for low-fat dairy products in the region, which is likely to accentuate the growth of the regional market.

Recent Developments

• DFE Pharma, in July 2021, introduced silicified microcrystalline cellulose named Pharmacel sMCC 90. Pharmacel sMCC 90 is a synergistic solution that will obstruct oral solid dosage formulations.
• Aloisia Beauty, in March 2021, launched GLOW Exfoliating Soft Peel. It is a gel-based multi-action peel that smoothens skin texture, exfoliates all the dead skin cells, clears pores, and also locks-in skin’s moisture to unveil fresh, glowing, and soft skin.

Microcrystalline Cellulose Market: Competitive Analysis

The report provides a company market share analysis to give a broader overview of the key market players. In addition, the report also covers key strategic developments of the market, including acquisitions & mergers, new product launches, agreements, partnerships, collaborations & joint ventures, research & development, and regional expansion of major participants involved in the microcrystalline cellulose market on a global and regional basis.

The global microcrystalline cellulose market is dominated by players like:

• International Flavors and Fragrances Inc.
• Asahi Kasei Corporation
• DFE Pharma
• Accent Microcell Ltd
• Foodchem International Corporation
• Sigachi Industries
• Anhui Shanhe Pharmaceutical Accessories Co. Ltd
• Roquette Frères

The global microcrystalline cellulose market is segmented as follows;

By Material

• Wood Based
• Non-wood Based

By Product Grade

• Pharmaceutical Grade
• Industrial Grade
• Food Grade

By Region

• North America
  • The U.S.
  • Canada
• Europe
  • France 
  • The UK
  • Spain
  • Germany
  • Italy
  • Rest of Europe
• Asia Pacific
  • China
  • Japan
  • India
  • South Korea
  • Southeast Asia
  • Rest of Asia Pacific
• Latin America
  • Brazil
  • Mexico
  • Rest of Latin America
• Middle East & Africa
  • GCC
  • South Africa
  • Rest of Middle East & Africa