Microcrystalline Cellulose Market - Global Industry Size, Share, Trends, Opportunity & Forecast, Segmented By Source (Wood-based, Non-wood-based), By Form (Powder, Liquid), By Application (Pharmaceutical, Personal Care & Cosmetics, Food & Beverages, Paints & Coatings, Other), By Region, & Competition, 2020-2030F

Market Overview

Global Microcrystalline Cellulose market was valued at USD 1.15 Billion in 2024 and is expected to reach USD 1.66 Billion by 2030 with a CAGR of 6.28%. The Global Microcrystalline Cellulose (MCC) Market is witnessing dynamic growth, driven by its critical role as a multifunctional excipient and additive across pharmaceuticals, food and beverages, nutraceuticals, and personal care industries. Sourced predominantly from renewable cellulose such as wood pulp and cotton linters, MCC is highly valued for its exceptional binding, bulking, and stabilizing properties, which ensure consistent performance in complex formulations. Its natural origin, regulatory compliance, and adaptability across diverse applications have cemented its position as an essential ingredient in high-value, high-growth sectors.

The market’s expansion is anchored by robust demand from the pharmaceutical industry, particularly for oral solid dosage forms, while adoption in nutraceuticals, functional foods, and personal care products continues to rise. Strategic factors such as sustainability initiatives, innovations in production technologies, and accelerating demand across emerging Asia-Pacific markets are shaping long-term growth trajectories. Consequently, MCC is increasingly recognized not only as a foundational excipient but also as a versatile material poised to meet evolving industrial and consumer requirements.

Key Market Drivers

Rising Demand for Nutraceuticals and Dietary Supplements

The increasing global demand for nutraceuticals and dietary supplements has become one of the most significant growth drivers of the microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) market. A significant portion of the global population regularly consumes dietary supplements, with many perceiving natural products as inherently safe. However, prior studies indicate that nearly 20% of consumers report using dietary supplements alongside prescription or over-the-counter medications, highlighting potential considerations for safety, interactions, and informed usage. Consumers worldwide are becoming more health-conscious, with greater emphasis on preventive healthcare and wellness-oriented lifestyles. This shift is strongly influenced by rising incidences of lifestyle-related diseases such as obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular disorders, coupled with aging populations that require long-term nutritional support. Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are responsible for approximately 74% of global deaths each year, claiming around 41 million lives. Projections indicate this figure could rise to 52 million by 2030. Nonetheless, most of these deaths are linked to five modifiable risk factors unhealthy diets, tobacco use, physical inactivity, air pollution, and alcohol consumption underscoring significant opportunities for preventive health interventions. As a result, nutraceuticals and dietary supplements have gained rapid acceptance, and MCC plays a critical role in their production.

MCC is extensively used as a binder, filler, and disintegrant in tablets and capsules the most common dosage forms of dietary supplements. Its superior compressibility ensures strong yet easily disintegrating tablets, improving both manufacturing efficiency and consumer experience. In addition, MCC enhances the stability of active ingredients, prolongs shelf life, and maintains uniform dosage distribution, which are vital in nutraceutical production where product consistency and reliability are essential. Consumers of nutraceuticals often demand clean-label, plant-derived, and non-synthetic ingredients. As MCC is obtained from natural cellulose sources such as wood pulp and cotton linters, it aligns seamlessly with these consumer expectations. This “natural” positioning enhances its adoption, especially among brands marketing supplements as organic, sustainable, and eco-friendly. The nutraceutical industry is expanding rapidly in both developed and emerging markets. In North America and Europe, rising health awareness and premium wellness trends have led to high per capita supplement consumption. Meanwhile, Asia-Pacific especially China and India is witnessing strong growth driven by a rising middle class, urbanization, and growing acceptance of Western dietary habits. This expansion significantly boosts MCC demand, as manufacturers require high-quality excipients to meet growing supplement production volumes.

Sustainability and Shift Toward Renewable Resources

The growing global emphasis on sustainability and the adoption of renewable resources is a powerful driver of the microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) market. Across industries, companies and consumers are prioritizing eco-friendly practices, clean-label products, and bio-based materials as alternatives to synthetic or petroleum-derived ingredients. MCC, derived primarily from wood pulp and other plant-based cellulose sources, is naturally positioned to benefit from this trend. Industries are under increasing regulatory and social pressure to reduce their environmental footprint. MCC production, based on renewable cellulose, aligns with green manufacturing initiatives by reducing reliance on non-renewable and synthetic alternatives. This eco-friendly positioning makes MCC a preferred choice for companies seeking to enhance sustainability credentials while meeting consumer and regulatory expectations.

Modern consumers are highly attentive to product composition, favoring natural, plant-derived, and chemical-free ingredients in pharmaceuticals, nutraceuticals, food, and cosmetics. MCC, being sourced from renewable cellulose, meets these preferences and allows manufacturers to market products as “natural” and “sustainable.” This alignment with consumer trends directly accelerates MCC’s adoption across multiple industries. Governments and regulatory agencies worldwide are actively promoting the use of bio-based and biodegradable materials to reduce environmental impact. MCC enjoys recognition as a Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) substance and is approved for use by major regulatory bodies such as the U.S. FDA and European Food Safety Authority (EFSA). Its renewable and biodegradable nature ensures compliance with sustainability-oriented regulations, thereby driving its uptake in industries that prioritize compliance with eco-friendly policies. In applications where synthetic excipients or stabilizers were previously used, MCC provides a renewable, biodegradable, and equally effective alternative. Its wide functionality ranging from binding and bulking to stabilizing enables industries to reduce their dependence on petrochemical-derived additives, offering both performance and sustainability advantages.

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Key Market Challenges

High Production Costs and Raw Material Dependence

The production of MCC involves specialized chemical processing of cellulose derived primarily from wood pulp or cotton linters. This process requires significant capital investment, sophisticated technology, and stringent quality control to ensure pharmaceutical and food-grade compliance. Additionally, fluctuations in the availability and pricing of raw materials especially wood pulp directly affect production costs. Manufacturers in regions with limited access to high-quality cellulose face higher operational expenses, reducing profit margins. These elevated costs can act as a barrier to entry for new players and limit market expansion, particularly in price-sensitive emerging economies.

Availability of Alternative Excipients and Additives

While MCC is widely used for its binding, bulking, and stabilizing properties, the market faces competition from alternative excipients such as starch derivatives, carboxymethyl cellulose, lactose, and other synthetic or natural binders. In many applications, these substitutes can offer cost advantages, easier availability, or similar performance. For instance, in pharmaceuticals, some generic drug manufacturers opt for lower-cost excipients to reduce production expenses. The availability of these alternatives creates pricing pressure and can limit the scope of MCC adoption, especially where cost-efficiency is prioritized over premium functionality.

Key Market Trends

Expansion of MCC Applications Beyond Traditional Industries

While pharmaceuticals and food remain core markets, the future will see broader adoption of MCC in emerging applications such as bioplastics, 3D printing materials, and biomedical engineering. For example, MCC’s renewable and biodegradable nature makes it a potential ingredient in sustainable packaging solutions, addressing the growing demand for alternatives to single-use plastics. In biomedical fields, MCC is being studied for wound dressings, drug delivery systems, and tissue scaffolding due to its biocompatibility and functional versatility. This trend toward diversification of applications is expected to unlock new revenue streams and reduce dependence on traditional end-use sectors.

Strategic Collaborations and Global Supply Chain Expansion

Another key trend is the rise of partnerships, joint ventures, and acquisitions among MCC producers and downstream industries. Leading companies are forming strategic alliances with pharmaceutical, nutraceutical, and food manufacturers to secure long-term supply agreements and co-develop customized MCC formulations. Simultaneously, market players are expanding manufacturing facilities and distribution networks in fast-growing regions such as Asia-Pacific and Latin America to tap into rising local demand. This global expansion not only strengthens market reach but also mitigates risks associated with supply chain disruptions and regional raw material shortages.

Segmental Insights

Source Insights

Based on the category of Source, the wood-based segment emerged as the fastest growing in the market for Microcrystalline Cellulose in 2024. Wood pulp is a widely accessible and renewable raw material, making it an attractive choice for manufacturers seeking consistent supply and scalable production of MCC. Its established processing technologies also enable efficient large-scale extraction of high-purity cellulose, which is critical for industries such as pharmaceuticals, food, and cosmetics.

In the pharmaceutical sector, wood-based MCC is preferred as an excipient because of its uniform particle size, excellent binding ability, and superior compressibility, which ensures high-quality tablet and capsule formulations. The growing global demand for oral solid dosage forms directly strengthens the demand for wood-based MCC. In addition, food and beverage manufacturers are increasingly adopting wood-derived MCC as a fat replacer, stabilizer, and bulking agent in low-calorie, processed, and functional foods, reflecting consumer demand for healthier and clean-label products.

Sustainability trends are also accelerating the shift toward wood-based MCC. With industries moving away from synthetic or petrochemical-derived additives, wood pulp being biodegradable and eco-friendly aligns well with the rising emphasis on green and renewable ingredients. Furthermore, ongoing investments in advanced wood processing technologies and supply chain optimization have reduced production costs, making wood-based MCC more commercially viable on a global scale. These factors contribute to the growth of this segment.

Application Insights

Based on the category of Application, the Pharmaceutical segment emerged as the dominating segment in the market for Microcrystalline Cellulose in 2024. MCC is widely used in the production of oral solid dosage forms, particularly tablets and capsules, which represent the largest share of pharmaceutical formulations globally. Its exceptional properties including superior compressibility, excellent binding capacity, uniform particle size, and high stability make it indispensable for ensuring consistent drug quality, controlled disintegration, and reliable bioavailability of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs).

The rising prevalence of chronic diseases, the number of people aged 60 and older worldwide is projected to increase from 1.1 in 2023 to 1.4 billion by 2030 and increasing demand for affordable generics have expanded global pharmaceutical production, directly driving the adoption of MCC. Moreover, the surge in demand for nutraceuticals and over-the-counter (OTC) medications further reinforces the segment’s growth. As pharmaceutical companies continue to invest in innovation, MCC is increasingly integrated into advanced drug delivery systems, including sustained-release and orally disintegrating tablets, underscoring its versatility and technical superiority.

The pharmaceutical industry operates under strict regulatory oversight from bodies such as the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the European Medicines Agency (EMA), and other national authorities. MCC’s established safety profile, regulatory acceptance, and GRAS (Generally Recognized as Safe) status provide manufacturers with confidence in its use, giving it a competitive advantage over alternative excipients. This regulatory reliability has significantly contributed to its widespread adoption.

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Regional Insights

North America emerged as the largest market in the global Microcrystalline Cellulose market in 2024, holding the largest market share in terms of value. The region benefits from a well-structured healthcare system, high R&D spending, and the presence of leading pharmaceutical manufacturers that extensively use MCC as an excipient in drug formulations. The growing demand for oral solid dosage forms, particularly tablets and capsules, further fuels MCC adoption due to its superior binding, disintegration, and stability-enhancing properties.

North America’s mature food processing sector contributes significantly to market growth. MCC is widely utilized as a fat replacer, texturizer, stabilizer, and anti-caking agent in low-calorie and processed food products, aligning with the region’s strong consumer shift toward healthier, convenient, and functional food options. The rising prevalence of lifestyle-related diseases has intensified the demand for dietary supplements and nutraceuticals, where MCC plays a critical role in enhancing product consistency and shelf life.

Moreover, stringent quality and safety standards set by regulatory authorities such as the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Health Canada favor the use of highly reliable and approved excipients like MCC. This regulatory support ensures greater market penetration and sustained demand across multiple industries. The presence of global MCC producers and established supply chains further enhances availability and reduces lead times for end-users, solidifying North America’s leadership position.

Recent Developments

• In August 2025, Sigachi Industries has commenced civil works for the next phase of its capacity expansion an advanced 12,000 MTPA Microcrystalline Cellulose (MCC) project at the Dahej SEZ facility in Gujarat. This investment underscores the company’s commitment to strengthening operational resilience, integrating safety-first design principles, and reinforcing its position as a global leader in pharmaceutical excipients.
• In June 2025, Sigachi Industries Strengthens Global Leadership in Microcrystalline Cellulose (MCC) and Expands Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient (API) Capabilities with State-of-the-Art Manufacturing Facility.
• In March 2025, Oji Holdings Corporation has acquired shares in Chemfield Cellulose Private Limited, a leading Indian producer of microcrystalline cellulose (MCC). This acquisition strengthens Oji’s strategy of advancing high-value-added businesses by leveraging its global expertise in wood pulp production and integrating it with Chemfield’s advanced pharmaceutical excipient capabilities.
• In January 2025, Nordic Bioproducts Group Expands Southern European Distribution Network to Advance Sustainable Microcrystalline Cellulose Solutions in Beauty and Personal Care. The Finnish MCC manufacturer has partnered with C.Q. Massó in Spain and Portugal and appointed a new distribution partner in Italy. These collaborations strengthen market access, support innovative formulation development, and enable beauty and personal care brands to align with stricter regulatory requirements on ingredient safety and traceability.
• In December 2023, Roquette Expands Excipient Portfolio with Three New Grades Designed for Moisture-Sensitive Pharmaceutical and Nutraceutical Formulations. At CPHI Barcelona, Roquette introduced LYCATAB CT-LM (partially pregelatinized starch), along with MICROCEL 103 SD and MICROCEL 113 SD microcrystalline cellulose. These additions provide pharmaceutical manufacturers with advanced moisture-protection and stabilization capabilities, enabling greater flexibility and reliability in drug delivery systems across diverse production methods and formulation types.
• In September 2023- Nitika Pharmaceuticals Set to Commission New Microcrystalline Cellulose (MCC) Manufacturing Facility in Nagpur.

Key Market Players

• Roquette Frères.
• JRS PHARMA GmbH & Co. KG
• Asahi Kasei Corporation
• Apollo Scientific Ltd
• SEPPIC
• Ankit Pulps and Boards Pvt Ltd
• GODAVARI BIOREFINERIES LTD
• International Flavors & Fragrances Inc
• DFE Pharma
• Fengchen Group Co., Ltd

Report Scope:

In this report, the Global Microcrystalline Cellulose Market has been segmented into the following categories, in addition to the industry trends which have also been detailed below:

• Microcrystalline Cellulose Market, By Source:

o   Wood-based

o   Non-wood-based

• Microcrystalline Cellulose Market, By Form:

o   Powder

o   Liquid

• Microcrystalline Cellulose Market, By Application:

o   Pharmaceutical

o   Personal Care & Cosmetics

o   Food & Beverages

o   Paints & Coatings

o   Other

• Microcrystalline Cellulose Market, By Region:

o   North America

§  United States

§  Canada

§  Mexico

o   Europe

§  France

§  United Kingdom

§  Italy

§  Germany

§  Spain

o   Asia-Pacific

§  China

§  India

§  Japan

§  Australia

§  South Korea

o   South America

§  Brazil

§  Argentina

§  Colombia

o   Middle East & Africa

§  South Africa

§  Saudi Arabia

§  UAE

Competitive Landscape

Company Profiles: Detailed analysis of the major companies present in the Global Microcrystalline Cellulose Market.

Available Customizations:

Global Microcrystalline Cellulose market report with the given market data, TechSci Research offers customizations according to a company's specific needs. The following customization options are available for the report:

Company Information

• Detailed analysis and profiling of additional market players (up to five).