Chemicals Industry Today

Microcrystalline Cellulose MCC Market Expected to Achieve a Strong 7.00% CAGR, to Reach USD 2.35 Billion by 2032

The Microcrystalline cellulose is used in the pharmaceutical industry as a stabilizer, binder, film-forming agent, suspension agent, and disintegrate in tablet formulations, ointments, and other topical therapeutic bases.
Published 23 October 2025

Microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) is a refined, purified form of cellulose, derived from plant sources such as wood pulp. It is widely used as a multifunctional excipient in the pharmaceutical, food, and personal care industries due to its excellent binding, bulking, and stabilizing properties. In pharmaceuticals, MCC serves as a key ingredient in tablet formulations, capsules, and granules, providing compressibility, flowability, and uniformity in dosage forms.

The microcrystalline cellulose market was valued at USD 1.28 billion in 2023 and is projected to reach USD 2.35 billion by 2032, growing at a CAGR of 7.00% from 2024 to 2032.

In the food industry, MCC is used as a fat replacer, texturizer, and stabilizer, while in personal care and cosmetics, it functions as a thickening agent, anti-caking agent, and stabilizer in various formulations. The global MCC market has witnessed steady growth, driven by increasing demand for pharmaceuticals, functional foods, and personal care products, coupled with the shift toward natural and plant-based ingredients.

Market Dynamics

1. Drivers

a. Growth in Pharmaceutical Industry

The pharmaceutical sector is the largest consumer of MCC. Rising global demand for oral solid dosage forms, including tablets and capsules, drives the use of MCC as a critical excipient. Aging populations and increasing prevalence of chronic diseases further amplify this demand.

b. Expansion of Functional Food and Beverage Industry

MCC is used in food and beverage applications as a bulking agent, stabilizer, and fat replacer in low-calorie and high-fiber products. The growing consumer interest in healthier diets and functional foods contributes to the expansion of the MCC market.

c. Preference for Natural and Plant-Based Ingredients

As a plant-derived product, MCC aligns with the trend of clean-label and natural ingredients in pharmaceutical, food, and personal care products, driving adoption among manufacturers.

d. Technological Advancements in MCC Production

Innovations in manufacturing processes, such as improved hydrolysis techniques and better particle size control, have enhanced the quality and functionality of MCC, supporting its use in diverse applications.

2. Restraints

a. High Production Costs

The production of high-quality MCC involves advanced purification and processing techniques, which can increase costs and limit adoption in price-sensitive markets.

b. Regulatory Compliance

Stringent regulations on food additives and pharmaceutical excipients require extensive testing and approvals, which can slow down market growth and entry for new manufacturers.

c. Competition from Alternative Excipients

Other cellulose derivatives and synthetic excipients, such as lactose, starch, and hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC), may replace MCC in certain formulations, impacting market share.

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3. Opportunities

a. Rising Demand in Emerging Markets

Growing pharmaceutical production, increasing healthcare access, and rising consumption of processed and functional foods in Asia-Pacific, Latin America, and Africa present significant opportunities for MCC manufacturers.

b. Innovation in Tablet and Capsule Formulations

Advances in controlled-release, sustained-release, and fast-dissolving oral dosage forms create new opportunities for MCC as a versatile excipient.

c. Growing Personal Care Industry

Increasing demand for natural and effective ingredients in skincare, cosmetics, and oral care products supports the adoption of MCC as a stabilizer, thickener, and anti-caking agent.

d. Expansion in Nutraceuticals and Supplements

The rising popularity of dietary supplements, vitamins, and herbal formulations drives the demand for MCC in tablet and capsule manufacturing, presenting a growing segment for manufacturers.

Key Companies Profiled are DuPont, Asahi Kasei Corporation, JRS Pharma, Roquette Frères, Mingtai Chemical Co., Ltd., Accent Microcell Pvt. Ltd., JRS Pharma, Pharmatrans-Sanaq AG, DFE Pharma, Weiming Pharmaceutical MFG. Co., Ltd, and Sigachi Industries Pvt. Ltd.

Emerging Trends

  • Shift Toward Clean-Label and Natural Ingredients
  • Consumers increasingly prefer products with plant-derived and natural ingredients, driving adoption of MCC in pharmaceuticals, food, and personal care products.
  • Development of Advanced Oral Dosage Forms
  • Rising demand for controlled-release, sustained-release, and fast-dissolving tablets is expanding the use of MCC in advanced pharmaceutical formulations.
  • Integration in Functional and Nutraceutical Foods
  • MCC’s bulking, stabilizing, and fat-replacement properties make it an essential ingredient in functional foods and dietary supplements.
  • Expansion in Personal Care Applications
  • MCC is increasingly used in skincare, hair care, and oral care products as a thickening, stabilizing, and anti-caking agent.
  • Technological Innovations in MCC Production
  • Improved hydrolysis techniques, particle size control, and high-purity manufacturing enhance MCC performance across applications, supporting market growth.

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Future Outlook

The global microcrystalline cellulose market is expected to witness steady growth over the next decade, driven primarily by pharmaceutical demand, the rising functional food industry, and the adoption of MCC in personal care products. Asia-Pacific is projected to be the fastest-growing region due to increasing pharmaceutical manufacturing, expanding processed food consumption, and growing health awareness.

North America and Europe will maintain consistent demand due to mature pharmaceutical, food, and personal care markets. Opportunities in nutraceuticals, dietary supplements, and advanced oral dosage forms will further fuel growth.

While cost pressures and regulatory compliance may pose challenges, innovations in production technology, expansion into emerging markets, and growing demand for clean-label, natural ingredients will sustain long-term growth for MCC globally.

Microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) is a versatile and widely used excipient across pharmaceuticals, food, nutraceuticals, and personal care industries. Its multifunctional properties, including binding, bulking, stabilizing, and texturizing, make it indispensable for tablet and capsule formulations, functional foods, and cosmetic products.

The market is poised for steady growth, supported by increasing pharmaceutical consumption, expansion of functional and nutraceutical foods, rising health and wellness trends, and growing demand for plant-based, natural ingredients. With ongoing technological advancements and increasing adoption in emerging markets, MCC is expected to continue playing a vital role as a critical raw material and excipient in global industries.

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