GELATINE INDUSTRY

Figure 1. Image generated by deepai (https://deepai.org/machine-learning-model/text2img)

Over the past 5 years, the animal-derived gelatine industry has experienced significant growth and transformation, driven by evolving consumer preferences, technological advancements, and expanding applications across various sectors.

The global gelatine market has shown robust growth, with projections indicating an increase from US$2.08 billion in 2025 to US$2.68 billion by 2030. This expansion is fuelled by heightened demand in the food, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic industries, particularly in regions like Asia-Pacific and South America, where rising disposable incomes and health awareness are driving consumption.

Culinary and health/wellness renaissance
Gelatine has witnessed a resurgence in the culinary world, transitioning from a traditional dessert ingredient to a centrepiece in gourmet and artistic presentations. Renowned chefs and creative studios are crafting elaborate gelatine-based dishes that captivate both the palate and the eye. This revival is partly attributed to nostalgia and the unique sensory experience gelatine offers, making it a popular choice in modern gastronomy.

The health and wellness industry has embraced gelatine for its functional benefits. Its high protein and collagen content make it a valuable component in dietary supplements, functional foods, and nutraceuticals aimed at improving skin elasticity, joint health, and overall well-being. Innovations like GELITA's 'CONFIXX' fast-setting gelatine have streamlined the production of fortified gummies, catering to the growing demand for convenient health supplements.

Technological integration has enhanced gelatine production efficiency and quality. Automation and real-time monitoring have improved consistency, while innovations in sourcing, such as utilising fish by-products, have addressed sustainability concerns. These advancements ensure that gelatine production aligns with environmental and ethical standards, meeting consumer expectations for responsible sourcing.

Regional market developments
Asia-Pacific is emerging as a significant hub for gelatine manufacturing, driven by changing dietary patterns and increasing health consciousness. Europe maintains a strong market presence with a focus on clean-label and natural ingredients, aligning with consumer preferences for transparency and quality. North America, which is experiencing growth in the nutraceutical sector, gelatine-based supplements are gaining popularity among health-conscious consumers. Over the past 5 years, Africa's animal-derived gelatine industry has experienced notable growth, driven by increasing demand across food, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic sectors.

On the African side, South Africa is a net importer of gelatine, importing approximately 1,200 metric tons in 2020, valued at around US$6.5 million. The primary sources of these imports are Germany, France, and China. Another important African gelatine player is Nigeria, whose robust manufacturing capabilities and strategic location contribute to its dominance in the regional gelatine market allowing them to be great competitors. South Africa has potential to be a large gelatine producer with the access that it has to regional raw materials.

Dominant sources and applications
Bovine sources remain the primary raw material for gelatine production in Africa, owing to the abundance of cattle in the region. There is a growing interest in marine-based gelatine, particularly in South Africa, due to its appeal among consumers seeking alternative sources. South Africa and Namibia’s cold-water coastline is a valuable resource for the fast-growing kelp beds that can produce the cold-water species of seaweed that can be processed to extract gelatine analogues (such as as carrageenans). Vegan or animal gelatine can then be processed within the same facility, with overseas markets being the primary targets.

Gelatine is extensively used in confectionery, desserts, and meat products, serving as a gelling agent and stabilizer. Animal-based products have been used for nearly 8 000 years (in ancient Chinese and Egyptian cultures), mostly as glues, but more lately as gelatine or collagen hydrolysates. The meat industry is also a source of animal gelatines so it is not just the skin that can be used, but any protein source that can be denatured into gelatine. Higher grades of gelatine are used by industries that are prepared to pay more, and corollary to the higher grades, low grade gelatine still makes its appearance as a versatile glue. A glue that can be loosened by heating which makes it invaluable in conservation work and in articles where the reversibility of the glue is vital.

In the pharmaceutical sector, gelatine is utilized as a coating for tablets and capsules and as a binding agent in vaccine production. Created in a time when most medicines were bitter tasting, the soft gelatine capsule allows the drug to be ingested and then the soft capsule disintegrates in the stomach delivering the drug to the digestive system lining. A lot of technology that allows the manufacture of these sophisticated capsules now exists with much of the original technology now out of patent protection.

The future
The African gelatine industry is poised for continued growth, supported by rising health consciousness, increasing demand for protein-enriched products, and expanding applications in various sectors. Investments in manufacturing infrastructure and regulatory frameworks are expected to further bolster the industry's development. Vegan products will try to emulate the role that gelatine plays.

The move away from animal foods (towards plant-based foods) was a clearly targeted attack peaking in 2019. The animal sector seems to have survived that assault with a strong return across all animal areas. The gelatine seems to have survived unscathed, and continues to remain competitive with the animal alternatives. As animal-derived gelatines are extracted from animal wastes they will continue to remain highly affordable and are a valuable source of nutritional protein.

Tanneries looking to diversify their product range and to facilitate the use of their low-grade material need to look no further than the Kind Leather model pioneered by the JBS Group. The idea was to geometrize the shape of the hide from an irregular hide outline to a rectangular sheet that trims away the difficult bellies and flank areas. These parts of the hide are seldom used in the cutting process for leather articles, so end up on the cutting floor anyway. JBS realised very early on that they could geometrize and place all of that collagen into a gelatine process. In other words, the tanning group realised very early on that they could produce food and leather in a very synergistic way. It is time for the rest of the global tanning industry to see the same opportunity.

In the next issue: What happens in the EU, in terms of legislation, ultimately affects the rest of the world. Particularly, with the US being an unpredictable entity, the laws and developments in the EU have a habit of becoming something, given some time, that the developing nations end up emulating. What are the raft of legislation instruments that are in the pipeline for the EU.