Gelatin as a Versatile Ingredient

GROW's global survey highlights gelatin's benefits across various fields beyond food and pharmaceuticals. Experts detail why gelatin is essential in today's industry and what makes it the preferred hydrocolloid.

Summary

  • The most valued attributes of gelatin are "Ease of Use", “Upcycling” and "Healthy".
  • The most relevant factors for using gelatin as an ingredient are "Product performance", "Low cost of use" and "Reliability".
  • The most important properties of gelatin are "Ease of use", "Texture" and "Gel-formation".

When you think about gelatin, what attributes come to mind first?

Among the participants, the most valued attributes of gelatin are “Ease of Use” (42%), “Upcycling” (34%), and “Healthy” (29%). The participants were allowed to choose from 10 options with multiple choices. South Korea stands out for its recognition of gelatin’s environmentally friendly aspects, with 58 percent emphasizing “Upcycling” and 36 percent highlighting “Ecological Sustainability”—significantly higher than in other countries. In Brazil, 53 percent prioritize health benefits. Japan emphasizes ethical aspects of gelatin, with 30 percent selecting “Ethical” as an attribute, more than any other country. In Germany, over a third find gelatin crucial for their products. 

For the food industry, especially for desserts and pre-cooked food, the relevance of gelatin for products is notable, with 28 and 30 percent respectively identifying the option “important for our products” as an relevant factor. The technical sector values "Environmentally sustainable" at 33%. The option "Environmentally sustainable" (33%) is especially important for participants in the technical applications sector.

What factors are most important for gelatin to be your preferred hydrocolloid?

When it comes to choosing gelatin for their manufacturing processes, companies prioritize several key factors. Among 8 options, "Product performance" was the top choice at 40 percent. "Low cost of use" followed with over a third, and "Reliability" with 32 percent. Both "Sustainability" and "Safety" were equally valued at 30 percent. The factor "Sustainability" is notably significant, especially in the U.S. (45%) and South Korea (44%). In Germany, "Reliability" is equally crucial, with 45 percent considering it important, alongside "Low cost in use," which is valued by 42 percent. In France, "Price" holds substantial importance, with 35 percent identifying it as a decisive factor. Brazil is among the few countries where "Consumer preference" is deemed an important criterion (33%), demonstrating the varied appeal of gelatin globally.

This trend extends across different product sectors. In technical applications, 46 percent of respondents emphasize "Sustainability" as a key consideration, underscoring gelatin's eco-friendly potential. In the food industry, especially in areas such as desserts (28%) and pre-cooked food (26%), "Consumer preference" exceeds the general average of 18 percent.

Which of the following properties of gelatin are the most relevant in your company’s products?

Regarding the relevant properties of gelatin, its unique characteristics are notable. Nearly half of the participants identified "Ease of use" as the top priority out of eight possible options, highlighting how easily it can be integrated into various applications. "Texture" (38%) was also a significant factor for delivering quality in different products, while 35 percent selected its "Gel-formation" capabilities, demonstrating its functional adaptability. Different regions and sectors have unique views on gelatin's benefits. In South Korea, 40 percent of participants value gelatin as a “natural protein.” Brazil rates its “non-allergic” nature (39%) more highly than other countries, while France emphasizes “transparency” (31%).

In various product sectors, gelatin’s advantages are clear. For delivery formats and sweets, 35 percent highlight its importance as a “natural protein.” In technical applications and delivery formats, 22 percent value its “clean label” attribute. The “thermo-reversible” property is especially appreciated in delivery formats by 24 percent, surpassing the overall average of 12 percent.

The results of the survey illustrate the versatility of gelatin, a natural and sustainable ingredient that serves to diverse demands across industries and regions.