GROW’s International Survey Highlights Gelatin’s Industry Relevance and Sustainability
Gelatin remains a cornerstone ingredient across multiple industries, and a new international survey by GROW has reinforced its continued importance in today’s evolving market. Conducted across six key countries—Brazil, France, Germany, Japan, South Korea, and the U.S.—the survey assessed gelatin’s most valued properties, environmental impact, and the extent of gelatin alternative usage.
Survey Approach and Key Findings
GROW conducted structured online interviews with 100 participants from each of the six selected countries. The participants represented diverse sectors, ranging from dairy to technical applications, ensuring a comprehensive perspective on gelatin usage and its sustainability impact.
Among the key findings:
- 88% of respondents prioritize natural ingredients in their products.
- Ease of use, upcycling, and health benefits are the most valued attributes of gelatin.
- Product performance, affordability, and reliability are the primary reasons for choosing gelatin as an ingredient.
Gelatin’s Positive Environmental Impact
The survey results highlight gelatin’s environmentally friendly nature because it is a natural upcycled product. Derived from by-products of the meat industry, gelatin embodies sustainability principles by transforming raw animal materials into high-value, versatile ingredients. As upcycling grows across industries, gelatin aligns with the global shift toward sustainable production.
Manufacturers overwhelmingly acknowledge gelatin’s eco-friendly attributes, with 79% of respondents recognizing its positive environmental impact.
Additionally, 87% of participants strongly preferred upcycled products, further emphasizing the role of gelatin in sustainable industry practices.
South Korea stands out for its recognition of gelatin’s environmentally friendly aspects, with 58 per cent emphasizing “Upcycling” and 36 per cent highlighting “Ecological Sustainability”—significantly higher than in other countries. In Brazil, 53 per cent prioritize health benefits. Japan emphasizes ethical aspects of gelatin, with 30 per cent selecting “Ethical” as an attribute, more than any other country. In Germany, over a third find gelatin crucial for their products.
Most Important Factors of Gelatin
Product Performance (40%) – Despite the emergence of alternative hydrocolloids, gelatin remains dominant in the market. The survey reveals that gelatin’s unique properties—such as ease of use, gel formation, and texture—are irreplaceable, making it a trusted choice among manufacturers.
Cost-effectiveness (34%) and Reliability (32%) – When considering ingredient selection, industry professionals value gelatin’s cost-effectiveness and reliability.
Different regions and sectors have unique views on gelatin’s benefits.
In South Korea, 40 per cent of participants value gelatin as a “natural protein.” Brazil rates its “non-allergic” nature (39%) more highly than other countries, while France emphasizes “transparency” (31%).
In Germany, “Reliability” is equally crucial, with 45 percent considering it important, alongside “Low cost in use,” which is valued by 42 percent. In France, “Price” holds substantial importance, with 35 percent identifying it as a decisive factor. Brazil is among the few countries where “Consumer preference” is deemed an important criterion (33%), demonstrating the varied appeal of gelatin globally.
The findings confirm that gelatin will remain a staple across various applications, including food, pharmaceuticals, and technical uses, for the foreseeable future.
Gelatin’s Versatility Across Industries
Beyond food and pharmaceuticals, gelatin plays a crucial role in numerous applications, including cosmetics, photography, and medical fields. Experts emphasize that gelatin’s unique functional properties make it the preferred hydrocolloid across various industries.
As the demand for clean-label and sustainable ingredients rises, GROW’s survey confirms that gelatin remains at the forefront of industry preferences. Its eco-friendly nature and unmatched functional benefits ensure that gelatin will continue to be a vital ingredient in global manufacturing.
For a deeper dive into the country-specific insights and detailed survey results, visit GROW’s website and blog.
GROW – Gelatin Representatives of the World – is a joint working group of the four leading global gelatin associations: GMAP (Asia), GME (Europe), GMIA (North America) and SAGMA (South America).
