Plant Based Excipients Market Size and Outlook 2031

Report Description

Forecast Period	2027-2031
Market Size (2025)	USD 2.41 Billion
CAGR (2026-2031)	4.34%
Fastest Growing Segment	Film Forming & Coating Agents
Largest Market	North America
Market Size (2031)	USD 3.11 Billion

Market Overview

The Global Plant Based Excipients Market is projected to grow from USD 2.41 Billion in 2025 to USD 3.11 Billion by 2031 at a 4.34% CAGR. Plant-based excipients are inactive substances derived from natural botanical sources, such as starch, cellulose, and gums, employed in pharmaceutical and nutraceutical formulations to facilitate drug delivery, enhance stability, and improve processing. Key drivers supporting this market's expansion include the escalating global demand for natural and clean-label ingredients across healthcare and consumer product sectors, coupled with increasing consumer preference for vegetarian, vegan, and allergen-free alternatives. For instance, according to the Organic Trade Association, in April 2025, U.S. sales of certified organic products in 2024 demonstrated a 5.2% increase, highlighting a broader consumer trend toward natural products that indirectly influences demand for plant-derived components like excipients.

Furthermore, regulatory support and initiatives encouraging the adoption of sustainable and naturally derived components in drug formulation contribute significantly to market growth. However, a significant challenge impeding market expansion is the complex regulatory approval process for novel plant-based excipients, which often requires extensive toxicological and performance data to ensure safety and efficacy comparable to established synthetic alternatives, thereby prolonging time-to-market.

Key Market Drivers

The global plant based excipients market is significantly driven by the growing demand for sustainable and eco-friendly pharmaceutical ingredients. Pharmaceutical manufacturers are increasingly prioritizing raw materials that align with environmental stewardship and consumer preference for sustainable products. This industry shift fosters innovation and investment in plant-derived solutions. For instance, according to Croda's 'Our targets' report, published in 2025, 56% of their organic raw material volume was from bio-based origin in 2024, demonstrating a clear focus on sustainable sourcing to meet evolving industry needs. This commitment to bio-based materials directly influences the availability and adoption of plant-derived excipients in pharmaceutical formulations.

Furthermore, advancements in research and development of plant-based formulations are propelling market expansion by enhancing functional properties and expanding application areas. Companies are dedicating substantial resources to discover and optimize novel plant-derived excipients, ensuring they meet stringent pharmaceutical quality and performance standards. This ongoing innovation enables the development of more effective and patient-friendly drug delivery systems. Reflecting this dedication to innovation, Roquette's 2025 Full-Year Results Announcement, published in March 2026, revealed the company's total investments amounted to €263 million in 2025, indicating significant capital allocation towards advancing its portfolio of plant-based ingredients and pharmaceutical solutions. This broader investment in advanced ingredients contributes to the overall growth of the Global Plant Based Excipients Market. According to Croda's 2025 results, announced in February 2026, the company's pharma sales grew by 4% at constant currency in 2025, a performance notably driven by higher excipient sales for both small molecule and biologic applications, underscoring the expanding role of excipients in the broader pharmaceutical sector.

Download Free Sample Report

Key Market Challenges

The complex regulatory approval process for novel plant-based excipients, demanding extensive toxicological and performance data, presents a significant impediment to the growth of the Global Plant Based Excipients Market. This stringent requirement for rigorous safety and efficacy testing, comparable to well-established synthetic alternatives, necessitates considerable investment in both time and financial resources from manufacturers. The protracted development and validation phases create a high barrier to market entry, discouraging innovation and investment in new plant-derived materials.

The prolonged period for generating comprehensive data, coupled with the subsequent regulatory review, directly delays the commercialization of new plant-based excipients. For instance, according to comments submitted by IPEC-Americas in May 2025, development efforts associated with excipient changes, including reformulation, testing, and regulatory approval, are estimated to require five or more years. This extended timeline directly impacts the return on investment for companies developing innovative plant-based excipients, making them less commercially attractive and ultimately slowing their widespread adoption across pharmaceutical and nutraceutical sectors.

Key Market Trends

The global plant-based excipients market is currently being reshaped by the emergence of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and 3D printing in excipient design. These advanced technologies enable the more efficient and precise development of novel excipients, directly influencing formulation optimization and personalized medicine. AI algorithms can analyze complex data sets to predict excipient-API compatibility and optimize drug delivery profiles, thereby accelerating the research and development pipeline. This integration significantly streamlines the design process, with Quotient Sciences reporting in December 2025, in a Manufacturing Chemist article, that applying AI to drug product development can reduce formulation development times by 30–50%. This efficiency gain is crucial for bringing new plant-based excipients, with enhanced functionalities, to market faster.

Another significant trend is the advancements in plant-derived excipient production technologies, which are crucial for ensuring a stable and high-quality supply of these specialized ingredients. Companies are investing in modernizing and expanding manufacturing capabilities to meet the growing demand for plant-based alternatives. This includes developing more sustainable and efficient processes for extracting and modifying plant-derived materials to create excipients that offer superior performance and consistency. For instance, Shin-Etsu Chemical announced plans to invest 10 billion yen in its pharmaceutical cellulose business by the second half of 2026, building new production facilities and doubling warehouse capacity for plant-derived excipients like L-HPC, a pharmaceutical cellulose made from plant-derived pulp, to strengthen its supply system. Such investments underscore the industry's commitment to scaling up and refining the production of plant-based excipients, ensuring their availability for diverse pharmaceutical and nutraceutical applications.

Segmental Insights

The Film Forming & Coating Agents segment is projected to exhibit the fastest growth within the Global Plant Based Excipients Market. This rapid expansion is primarily driven by increasing demand for natural and sustainable alternatives in pharmaceutical coatings and encapsulations. These plant-based agents are crucial for enhancing the stability, palatability, appearance, and controlled release of active pharmaceutical ingredients. The accelerated adoption stems from growing regulatory and consumer pressure to eliminate synthetic components, such as dyes, titanium dioxide, and animal gelatin, from pharmaceutical products. For instance, the European Union's regulation (EU) 2022/63, which restricts titanium dioxide use in medicines, further propels manufacturers to seek plant-derived coating solutions.

Regional Insights

North America leads the global plant-based excipients market due to its robust pharmaceutical manufacturing base and advanced healthcare infrastructure. The region benefits from strong regulatory frameworks and proactive governmental support, particularly from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), which encourages innovation and streamlines the approval process for novel excipients. This supportive environment, coupled with a significant consumer preference for natural, clean-label pharmaceutical ingredients, drives substantial research and development investments. Consequently, North America maintains its prominent position in the market.

Recent Developments

In February 2026, Univar Solutions, through its Ingredients + Specialties division, announced an expanded strategic partnership with Ingredion Pharma Solutions. This collaboration focuses on the distribution of Ingredion's global pharmaceutical portfolio across the United States and Canada. The agreement specifically includes pharmaceutical starches and other functional excipients, notably encompassing gelatin replacements for vegetarian softgel formulations. This partnership aims to address formulation challenges for pharmaceutical and nutraceutical customers by enhancing access to high-quality, plant-based ingredients for various applications.
In October 2025, Roquette launched KLEPTOSE® Crysmeb methyl-beta-cyclodextrin, a novel pharmaceutical excipient. This product specifically targets the enhancement of solubility and stability for a broad range of active pharmaceutical ingredients. Distinguished by its suitability for both oral and parenteral delivery methods, KLEPTOSE® Crysmeb offers drug manufacturers increased flexibility in formulation development. Its unique molecular structure, primarily methylated at the C2 position, significantly improves aqueous solubility, allowing for effective inclusion complexes with poorly soluble active compounds. This development strengthens the company's plant-based excipients portfolio.
In October 2025, Lonza Capsugel launched its new Organicaps™ capsule, marking a significant product introduction in the global plant-based excipients market. This capsule is notably the only USDA organic-certified, plant-based, immediate-release pullulan capsule produced in North America. Designed to meet the increasing consumer demand for organic dietary supplements, Organicaps™ capsules feature a high oxygen barrier, a non-reactive shell, and excellent polymer stability. These attributes are crucial for preserving organic formulations and ensuring product integrity.
In February 2025, Roquette introduced a new coatings platform for pharmaceutical and nutraceutical markets, directly impacting the global plant-based excipients market. This platform combines the Tabshield ready-to-use film coating systems and ReadiLYCOAT plant-based ready-to-use coating systems. The ReadiLYCOAT range utilizes efficient, eco-friendly plant-based polymers derived from hydroxypropyl pea starch to enhance the coating process, supporting the development of inclusive medicine designs by offering sugar-free variations. This initiative aims to provide effective and eco-conscious solutions for drug and supplement producers.

Key Market Players

DFE Pharma GmbH & Co. KG
JRS Pharma GmbH & Co. KG
Ashland Global Holdings Inc.
BASF SE
Evonik Industries AG
Ingredion Incorporated
Cargill, Incorporated
FMC Corporation
Lonza Group Ltd.
DuPont de Nemours, Inc.

By Type	By Application	By Region
Carbohydrates Proteins Polymers Minerals Glycoside & Waxes Esters Others	Binders & Diluents Glidants Lubricants & Disintegrants Film Forming & Coating Agents Plasticizers Suspending Agents Others	North America Europe Asia Pacific South America Middle East & Africa

Report Scope:

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

Plant Based Excipients Market, By Type:

Carbohydrates
Proteins
Polymers
Minerals
Glycoside & Waxes
Esters
Others

Plant Based Excipients Market, By Application:

Binders & Diluents
Glidants
Lubricants & Disintegrants
Film Forming & Coating Agents
Plasticizers
Suspending Agents
Others

Plant Based Excipients Market, By Region:

North America

United States
Canada
Mexico

Europe

France
United Kingdom
Italy
Germany
Spain

Asia Pacific

China
India
Japan
Australia
South Korea

South America

Brazil
Argentina
Colombia

Middle East & Africa

South Africa
Saudi Arabia
UAE

Competitive Landscape

Company Profiles: Detailed analysis of the major companies present in the Global Plant Based Excipients Market.

Available Customizations:

Global Plant Based Excipients 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).

Global Plant Based Excipients Market is an upcoming report to be released soon. If you wish an early delivery of this report or want to confirm the date of release, please contact us at [email protected]

Table of content

1. Product Overview

1.1. Market Definition

1.2. Scope of the Market

1.2.1. Markets Covered

1.2.2. Years Considered for Study

1.2.3. Key Market Segmentations

2. Research Methodology

2.1. Objective of the Study

2.2. Baseline Methodology

2.3. Key Industry Partners

2.4. Major Association and Secondary Sources

2.5. Forecasting Methodology

2.6. Data Triangulation & Validation

2.7. Assumptions and Limitations

3. Executive Summary

3.1. Overview of the Market

3.2. Overview of Key Market Segmentations

3.3. Overview of Key Market Players

3.4. Overview of Key Regions/Countries

3.5. Overview of Market Drivers, Challenges, Trends

4. Voice of Customer

5. Global Plant Based Excipients Market Outlook

5.1. Market Size & Forecast

5.1.1. By Value

5.2. Market Share & Forecast

5.2.1. By Type (Carbohydrates, Proteins, Polymers, Minerals, Glycoside & Waxes, Esters, Others)

5.2.2. By Application (Binders & Diluents, Glidants, Lubricants & Disintegrants, Film Forming & Coating Agents, Plasticizers, Suspending Agents, Others)

5.2.3. By Region

5.2.4. By Company (2025)

5.3. Market Map

6. North America Plant Based Excipients Market Outlook

6.1. Market Size & Forecast

6.1.1. By Value

6.2. Market Share & Forecast

6.2.1. By Type

6.2.2. By Application

6.2.3. By Country

6.3. North America: Country Analysis

6.3.1. United States Plant Based Excipients Market Outlook

6.3.1.1. Market Size & Forecast

6.3.1.1.1. By Value

6.3.1.2. Market Share & Forecast

6.3.1.2.1. By Type

6.3.1.2.2. By Application

6.3.2. Canada Plant Based Excipients Market Outlook

6.3.2.1. Market Size & Forecast

6.3.2.1.1. By Value

6.3.2.2. Market Share & Forecast

6.3.2.2.1. By Type

6.3.2.2.2. By Application

6.3.3. Mexico Plant Based Excipients Market Outlook

6.3.3.1. Market Size & Forecast

6.3.3.1.1. By Value

6.3.3.2. Market Share & Forecast

6.3.3.2.1. By Type

6.3.3.2.2. By Application

7. Europe Plant Based Excipients Market Outlook

7.1. Market Size & Forecast

7.1.1. By Value

7.2. Market Share & Forecast

7.2.1. By Type

7.2.2. By Application

7.2.3. By Country

7.3. Europe: Country Analysis

7.3.1. Germany Plant Based Excipients Market Outlook

7.3.1.1. Market Size & Forecast

7.3.1.1.1. By Value

7.3.1.2. Market Share & Forecast

7.3.1.2.1. By Type

7.3.1.2.2. By Application

7.3.2. France Plant Based Excipients Market Outlook

7.3.2.1. Market Size & Forecast

7.3.2.1.1. By Value

7.3.2.2. Market Share & Forecast

7.3.2.2.1. By Type

7.3.2.2.2. By Application

7.3.3. United Kingdom Plant Based Excipients Market Outlook

7.3.3.1. Market Size & Forecast

7.3.3.1.1. By Value

7.3.3.2. Market Share & Forecast

7.3.3.2.1. By Type

7.3.3.2.2. By Application

7.3.4. Italy Plant Based Excipients Market Outlook

7.3.4.1. Market Size & Forecast

7.3.4.1.1. By Value

7.3.4.2. Market Share & Forecast

7.3.4.2.1. By Type

7.3.4.2.2. By Application

7.3.5. Spain Plant Based Excipients Market Outlook

7.3.5.1. Market Size & Forecast

7.3.5.1.1. By Value

7.3.5.2. Market Share & Forecast

7.3.5.2.1. By Type

7.3.5.2.2. By Application

8. Asia Pacific Plant Based Excipients Market Outlook

8.1. Market Size & Forecast

8.1.1. By Value

8.2. Market Share & Forecast

8.2.1. By Type

8.2.2. By Application

8.2.3. By Country

8.3. Asia Pacific: Country Analysis

8.3.1. China Plant Based Excipients Market Outlook

8.3.1.1. Market Size & Forecast

8.3.1.1.1. By Value

8.3.1.2. Market Share & Forecast

8.3.1.2.1. By Type

8.3.1.2.2. By Application

8.3.2. India Plant Based Excipients Market Outlook

8.3.2.1. Market Size & Forecast

8.3.2.1.1. By Value

8.3.2.2. Market Share & Forecast

8.3.2.2.1. By Type

8.3.2.2.2. By Application

8.3.3. Japan Plant Based Excipients Market Outlook

8.3.3.1. Market Size & Forecast

8.3.3.1.1. By Value

8.3.3.2. Market Share & Forecast

8.3.3.2.1. By Type

8.3.3.2.2. By Application

8.3.4. South Korea Plant Based Excipients Market Outlook

8.3.4.1. Market Size & Forecast

8.3.4.1.1. By Value

8.3.4.2. Market Share & Forecast

8.3.4.2.1. By Type

8.3.4.2.2. By Application

8.3.5. Australia Plant Based Excipients Market Outlook

8.3.5.1. Market Size & Forecast

8.3.5.1.1. By Value

8.3.5.2. Market Share & Forecast

8.3.5.2.1. By Type

8.3.5.2.2. By Application

9. Middle East & Africa Plant Based Excipients Market Outlook

9.1. Market Size & Forecast

9.1.1. By Value

9.2. Market Share & Forecast

9.2.1. By Type

9.2.2. By Application

9.2.3. By Country

9.3. Middle East & Africa: Country Analysis

9.3.1. Saudi Arabia Plant Based Excipients Market Outlook

9.3.1.1. Market Size & Forecast

9.3.1.1.1. By Value

9.3.1.2. Market Share & Forecast

9.3.1.2.1. By Type

9.3.1.2.2. By Application

9.3.2. UAE Plant Based Excipients Market Outlook

9.3.2.1. Market Size & Forecast

9.3.2.1.1. By Value

9.3.2.2. Market Share & Forecast

9.3.2.2.1. By Type

9.3.2.2.2. By Application

9.3.3. South Africa Plant Based Excipients Market Outlook

9.3.3.1. Market Size & Forecast

9.3.3.1.1. By Value

9.3.3.2. Market Share & Forecast

9.3.3.2.1. By Type

9.3.3.2.2. By Application

10. South America Plant Based Excipients Market Outlook

10.1. Market Size & Forecast

10.1.1. By Value

10.2. Market Share & Forecast

10.2.1. By Type

10.2.2. By Application

10.2.3. By Country

10.3. South America: Country Analysis

10.3.1. Brazil Plant Based Excipients Market Outlook

10.3.1.1. Market Size & Forecast

10.3.1.1.1. By Value

10.3.1.2. Market Share & Forecast

10.3.1.2.1. By Type

10.3.1.2.2. By Application

10.3.2. Colombia Plant Based Excipients Market Outlook

10.3.2.1. Market Size & Forecast

10.3.2.1.1. By Value

10.3.2.2. Market Share & Forecast

10.3.2.2.1. By Type

10.3.2.2.2. By Application

10.3.3. Argentina Plant Based Excipients Market Outlook

10.3.3.1. Market Size & Forecast

10.3.3.1.1. By Value

10.3.3.2. Market Share & Forecast

10.3.3.2.1. By Type

10.3.3.2.2. By Application

11. Market Dynamics

11.1. Drivers

11.2. Challenges

12. Market Trends & Developments

12.1. Merger & Acquisition (If Any)

12.2. Product Launches (If Any)

12.3. Recent Developments

13. Global Plant Based Excipients Market: SWOT Analysis

14. Porter's Five Forces Analysis

14.1. Competition in the Industry

14.2. Potential of New Entrants

14.3. Power of Suppliers

14.4. Power of Customers

14.5. Threat of Substitute Products

15. Competitive Landscape

15.1. DFE Pharma GmbH & Co. KG

15.1.1. Business Overview

15.1.2. Products & Services

15.1.3. Recent Developments

15.1.4. Key Personnel

15.1.5. SWOT Analysis

15.2. JRS Pharma GmbH & Co. KG

15.3. Ashland Global Holdings Inc.

15.4. BASF SE

15.5. Evonik Industries AG

15.6. Ingredion Incorporated

15.7. Cargill, Incorporated

15.8. FMC Corporation

15.9. Lonza Group Ltd.

15.10. DuPont de Nemours, Inc.

16. Strategic Recommendations

17. About Us & Disclaimer

Report Description

Table of content

Figures and Tables

Frequently asked questions

What was the market size of the Global Plant Based Excipients Market in 2025?

Which is the dominating region in the Global Plant Based Excipients Market?

Which is the fastest growing segment in the Global Plant Based Excipients Market?

What is the expected growth rate of the Global Plant Based Excipients Market?