Market Insights

The North America beta-glucan market is expected to register a CAGR of 6.8 % during the forecast period (2018–2023), to grow from as estimated USD 100.10 billion by 2018, to USD 144.30 billion by 2023. North America is the second-largest market for beta-glucan. The market is driven by the increasing obesity of consumers, leading them to prefer beta-glucan, and the extensive use of beta-glucan in the nutraceutical industry.

One of the major developments in the beta-glucan industry in North America is the interest towards algal beta-glucan, which is a simpler product than yeast-based beta-glucan. The PureAlgal brand launched its algal-based beta-glucan at a substantially lower cost than purified yeast products, on a weight-to-weight basis.

Market Dynamics

The drivers of the beta-glucan industry are the increasing consumption of nutraceuticals and functional food and its usage as an immunomodulator (immunomodulator are chemical agents that modify the immune response). Increased usage as fat substitutes and usage as yeast additive in biodiesel production are the other key factors helping the beta-glucan industry grow. High cholesterol levels, rising obesity, and diabetes have increased the usage of beta-glucan, for making medicines.  

One of the major market drivers is the interest in nutraceutical and functional products. This is a result of the quick way of life and the idea of curing illnesses through food products. Individuals have new choices and ideas for functional ingredients to fulfill their dietary needs, as these positively affect metabolic parameters and cure diseases. Beta-glucan is a significant functional ingredient that has various medical advantages. It plays a role in controlling hyperlipidemia and hyperglycemia. The purpose of beta-glucan is to improve the human immune system. The health claims are approved by, both, the FDA and the European Food Safety Authority. They are based on research, which shows that consuming 3 g of beta-glucan, per day, can lower blood cholesterol levels by 5 to 8%. Clients or patients with high cholesterol levels will see the greatest benefit; however, it is not clear whether beta-glucans can lower triglyceride levels.

Shortage of major raw materials, such as molasses, due to their increasing application in wine blending, and industrial applications is expected to hinder the beta-glucan market growth. The production of yeast is dependent on the availability of molasses; the yeast market is facing tough competition from other industries, for raw materials. The bio-fuel industry is also threatening the growth of the yeast market, as it operates on high margins. Availability of other substitutes is also hampering the beta-glucan industry.

Market Segmentation

The human body does not produce beta-glucan, naturally. Hence, the only way to get is through outside sources, such as baker's yeast, shiitake mushrooms, and cereal grains that include barley, oats, rye, and wheat. Hence, beta-glucan is segmented by source type into cereal, yeast, mushroom, bacteria. By type, the market is segmented as soluble and insoluble. The cereal segment accounted for 44.2% share of the beta-glucan market, in 2016, and is expected to register a healthy CAGR of 6.8%. This segment is further segregated into oats barley and others such as wheat, sorghum, rye, of which, oats is the fastest-growing segment, with a CAGR of 6.5%. By type, the market has been segmented into soluble beta-glucan and insoluble beta-glucan, with the soluble beta-glucan segment having the maximum share. 

By application, the beta-glucan market is segmented into food & beverages, bakery, dairy and functional food products and nutraceuticals and others, including cosmetics, biodiesel, and animal feed. The food & beverage segment leads the market, at present, with a 25% share in the North America beta-glucan market.

Regional Analysis

Geographically, the North America beta-glucan market is divided into the United States, Canada, Mexico, and others, with the United States having a market share of XX%. The US market was estimated at USD XX million in 2017 and is anticipated to reach USD XX million by 2022. Population increase, the green movement, immigration, urbanization, health awareness, and the increase in middle-class population are expected to compel the growth of the beta-glucan market in the US.

Trends driving the market growth include expansion and product enhancement strategies by various market leaders. For example, in 2015, First Endurance launched its multi-vitamin product, MuliV-Pro. This product uses beta-glucan derived from Wellume yeast, a product of Biothera, the Immune Health Company. This product helps to improve athletes’ performance, by supporting the immune health.

Competitive Landscape

The prominent players present in the North America beta-glucan market are –

• Lesaffre USA
• DSM USA
• Bio Springer
• Lallemand
• Biothera Inc.
• Tate & Lyle
• Cargill
• Garuda International Inc.
• Alltech
• Ceapro Inc.
• Associated British Foods
• Super Beta-glucan
• ConAgra Foods, Inc.

The strategy adopted by DSM is to work with its clients and customers to create awareness regarding the advantages of oat beta-glucan and the Friend OatWell brand.             

Investment Opportunity

At present, the beta-glucan segment has witnessed large-scale demand owing to the change in eating patterns, resulting from the high consumption of processed and functional foods. There is a huge opportunity in the cosmetics and pharmaceutical industry, due to the growing application of beta-glucan in these sectors.

Key Deliverables in the Study

• Market analysis for the North America beta-glucan market, with region-specific assessments and competition analysis on a regional scale.
• Market definition along with the identification of key drivers and restraints.
• Identification of factors instrumental in changing the market scenario, rising prospective opportunities, and identification of key companies that can influence this market on a regional scale.
• Extensively researched competitive landscape section with profiles of major companies along with their market share.
• Identification and analysis of the macro and micro factors that affect the North America beta-glucan market on a regional scale.
• A comprehensive list of key market players along with the analysis of their current strategic interests and key financial information.
• A wide-ranging knowledge and insights about the major players in this industry and the key strategies adopted by them to sustain and grow in the studied market.
• Insights on the major countries/regions where this industry is growing, and identify the regions that are still untapped.