Report

The microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) market attained a value of USD 1.23 Billion in 2024 . The market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 5.50% during the forecast period of 2025-2034. By 2034, the market is expected to reach USD 2.10 Billion .

Advanced manufacturing methods are boosting the microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) market expansion for improving product quality, sustainability, and production efficiency. With these technological improvements, manufacturers can develop bespoke grades of MCC that target the pharmaceuticals, 3D printing, cosmetics and food sectors. For instance, in June 2024, Nordic Bioproducts Group received EXCiPACT certification confirming the manufacture of pharmaceutical grade MCC from its new Lappeenranta plant. Escalated efficiencies, in terms of scalability and automation, also lower costs and create greater international supply capacity which further enhances MCC competitively in the Asia Pacific and Latin America, two high growth opportunities.

Collaborative relationships between manufacturers and key stakeholders in pharmaceuticals, foods, cosmetics, and packaging is also assisting in the development of new products and access to market. MCC manufacturers are working collectively with formulators, ingredient manufacturers and research partners to develop targeted excipients and functional ingredients with different levels of customization to meet industry needs. For example, in September 2024, VTT announced a collaboration with a researcher partner Aalto University and the University of Helsinki on a new research project called CELLIGHT that focuses on developing cellulose-based sustainable opacifiers as replacements for titanium dioxide that are exploring new eco-friendly and sustainable developments in the MCC industry space.

Key Insights and Trends

- The Asia Pacific MCC market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 6.8% over the forecast period.
- By country, India is expected to register a CAGR of 8.9% over the forecast period.
- Pharmaceutical applications are anticipated to grow at 7.0% CAGR over the forecast period, as demand surges for tablet binding, disintegration, and stability enhancers.
- By type, the wood-based MCC category is expected to grow at a CAGR of 7.0% over the forecast period.

Market Size & Forecast

- Market Size in 2024: USD 1.23 Billion
- Projected Market Size in 2034: USD 2.10 Billion
- CAGR from 2025 to 2034: 5.50%
- Projected Market Size in 2034: USD 2.10 Billion
- Dominant Regional Market: Asia Pacific

Key Trends and Recent Developments

June 2025

Sigachi Industries unveiled its new API?centric facility at Orvakal, India, marking a major expansion into active pharmaceutical ingredients. The move strengthens its vertical integration strategy while maintaining its leadership in MCC through its proprietary DAPOBAL process and industry leading global quality benchmarks in excipients.

May 2025

Asahi Kasei earned the prestigious Okochi Memorial Prize for its Ceolus UF grade MCC excipient, recognized for resolving tablet compression challenges. The innovation enhances content uniformity and enables complex dosage forms, significantly advancing pharmaceutical manufacturing efficiency and quality in tablet formulation.

March 2025

Oji Holdings acquired a majority stake in Chemfield Cellulose Pvt Ltd, a leading microcrystalline cellulose producer in Nagpur, India. This marked Oji's first venture into life sciences and integrates its sustainable pulp expertise into a "Tree to Tablet" supply chain, strengthening excipient quality, traceability, and environmental responsibility.

September 2023

Nitika Pharmaceuticals inaugurated India's largest microcrystalline cellulose plant in Butibori, Nagpur. Featuring a 1,200 MT capacity and advanced technology, Nitika Pharmaceuticals is the only excipient firm under India's PLI scheme exporting to over 92 countries and creating 750+ jobs.

Continuous Innovation in MCC Grades

Across the microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) industry, manufacturers are engineering specialized MCC variants, such as ultra-fine, moisture-resistant, or spherical forms, to meet specific functional demands. In December 2023, Roquette added three new excipient grades, including MICROCEL 113 SD MCC to cater to pharmaceutical and nutraceutical applications. These enhancements broaden application scopes and increase the value of MCC in high-performance pharmaceutical formulations.

Clean Label Food & Beverage Demand

As consumers increasingly seek clean-label and natural ingredients, MCC is gaining popularity in the food and beverage sector, where transparency and minimal ingredient lists influence purchasing decisions. According to industry reports, 30% of food and beverage launches globally in 2024 featured a clean label claim. Microcrystalline cellulose aligns perfectly with these trends. MCC also helps manufacturers to maintain texture, structure, and shelf-life in low-fat or reduced-calorie foods without compromising taste or quality.

Emerging Applications in 3D Printing & Composites

Beyond traditional uses, the microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) market is increasingly explored for next-generation applications. Some of these include biodegradable composites, reinforcing agents, and eco-friendly 3D printing filaments. In October 2022, Research and industry pilots started launching PLA/MCC bio composite filaments for 3D printing by blending microcrystalline cellulose with polylactic acid. These emerging uses present novel revenue streams and signal MCC's versatility beyond pharma and foods.

Sustainability and Non Wood MCC

Environmental concerns are driving the shift toward sustainable MMC feedstocks, such as cotton linter, bamboo, and agricultural residue. In September 2023, sustainably focused cellulose fibre producer Birla Cellulose introduced new variant of viscose Birla Viscose Ecosoft, made exclusively from bamboo pulp. Non wood MCC reduces reliance on wood pulp, supports circular economy initiatives, and helps meet regulatory and consumer demands for green ingredients. Such innovations position the non wood MCC segment to outperform wood-based counterparts in coming years.

Sustainable Marketing & Green Branding

The microcrystalline cellulose industry revenue is growing with consumers increasingly demanding eco-friendly and transparent products. MCC firms are responding with green branding efforts, certifications, and digital outreach. For instance, in May 2024, India's Amster Microcell became EXCiPACT-certified for Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) and Good Distribution Practice (GDP), further validating its excellence in MCC production and supply. Positioning MCC as a natural, plant-based ingredient with reputable traceability supports market growth, especially among environmentally conscious B2B and B2C clients.

Microcrystalline Cellulose (MCC) Industry Segmentation

The EMR's report titled "Microcrystalline Cellulose (MCC) Market Report and Forecast 2025-2034" offers a detailed analysis of the market based on the following segments:

Breakup by Source

- Wood Based
- Non-wood Based

Key Insight: Wood-Based microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) market is driven by its well-established production processes, abundant raw material supply, and consistent quality. Leading companies use wood-based sources to manufacture high-purity MCC, such as Avicel and Ceolus. In January 2023, Asahi Kasei completed construction of its second wood based Ceolus MCC facility at Mizushima Works, reinforcing its supply of high purity excipients. The segment dominance is further reinforced by decades of technological optimization, sustainable forestry practices, and global acceptance across healthcare and manufacturing industries.

Breakup by Application

- Pharmaceutical
- Food and Beverage
- Cosmetics and Personal Care
- Others

Key Insight: Pharmaceutical remains the most dominant segment in the microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) industry, driven by its critical role as an excipient in tablet formulation. MCC improves tablet compressibility, binding, and disintegration, making it essential for solid dosage forms. Leading pharmaceutical companies rely heavily on MCC from major producers. In November 2023, BASF Pharma Solutions and IFF Pharma Solutions collaborated to integrate IFF's Avicel microcrystalline cellulose into BASF's ZoomLab platform. Regulatory standards in North America and Europe ensure high-quality MCC use, reinforcing its dominance.

Breakup by Region

- North America
- Europe
- Asia Pacific
- Latin America
- Middle East and Africa

Key Insight: North America leads the microcrystalline cellulose market growth due to its robust pharmaceutical, food, and cosmetic industries. The United States drives demand for MCC in tablets, dietary supplements, and food additives. Major players have expanded production capacity. For instance, in December 2022, JRS Pharma announced plans to construct a new MCC manufacturing facility in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, to cater to the pharmaceutical sector. Strong regulatory frameworks ensure product safety and quality, encouraging innovation. Additionally, partnerships highlight strategic supply chain enhancements for supporting North American demand, reinforcing its dominant market position.

Microcrystalline Cellulose (MCC) Market Share

Non-wood Based Microcrystalline Cellulose to Gain Popularity

Non-wood based microcrystalline cellulose demand is a growing due to sustainability concerns and alternative raw material research. Sourced from agricultural residues like cotton linters, wheat straw, or bamboo, this MCC type supports circular economy goals and reduces reliance on forestry. Recent innovations have showcased its environmental advantages, including lower carbon footprints and zero-waste processes. In April 2025, a Chinese specialty chemical manufacturer commercial produced high-purity MCC extracted from bamboo pulp. With rising eco-friendly mandates, non-wood MCC is likely to gradually expand.

Magnifying MCC Application in Food and Beverages & Cosmetics and Personal Care

Food and beverage is gaining traction in the microcrystalline cellulose market for its functional properties as a stabilizer, anti-caking agent, and fat replacer. MCC enhances texture and shelf life in bakery goods, processed foods, and powdered beverages. The growing demand for low-calorie, clean-label foods is encouraging manufacturers to adopt MCC as a natural, plant-based ingredient. Companies have expanded their food-grade MCC portfolios to meet these trends. The segment's growth is strong in regions like Asia Pacific, driven by rising processed food consumption and increasing health awareness among consumers.

Cosmetics and personal care represent a steadily growing MCC segment with rising need for natural thickener, absorbent, and texturizer in creams, powders, and lotions. Sustainability concerns and consumer preference for natural ingredients are boosting the demand for wood- and non-wood-based MCC variants. In January 2025, Nordic Bioproducts Group partnered with Southern European distributors to expand eco-friendly MCC supply for beauty and personal care markets. Increasing green formulations and strict regulations on synthetic additives further promote MCC adoption as a safer, eco-conscious alternative in personal care formulations.

Microcrystalline Cellulose (MCC) Market Regional Analysis

Surging MCC Demand in Europe & Asia Pacific

Europe holds a significant share of the microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) industry, driven by pharmaceutical manufacturing hubs in Germany, France, and the United Kingdom. The region's stringent environmental and quality regulations push manufacturers toward eco-friendly MCC variants. In April 2024, Nordic Bioproducts Group launched large-scale MCC production in Finland using AaltoCell technology for reducing emissions by 72% with a continuous, zero-waste process. Europe also benefits from cross-border trade within the EU, boosting MCC availability. Europe's strong focus on innovation and sustainability secures its influential role in the overall market.

Asia Pacific represents the fastest-growing regional segment, fuelled by rising pharmaceutical production in India, China, and Southeast Asia. The region's rapid urbanization, rising healthcare expenditure, and expanding pharmaceutical and food industries are fueling demand for high-quality excipients. Governments are investing heavily in healthcare infrastructure, boosting domestic pharmaceutical production and thereby increasing MCC consumption. Moreover, cost-effective manufacturing, favorable regulatory environments, and a growing focus on exports position Asia Pacific as a global hub for MCC production. This momentum makes it the most dynamic region in the MCC landscape.

Competitive Landscape

Key players in the microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) market are leveraging key strategies to maximize their growth potential, anticipate future demand, and remain competitive. A principle strategy is product diversification relating to the development of different grades of MCC for use in pharmaceutical, food, cosmetic and industrial applications to create opportunity to supply a wide range of customers across several industries, connecting with new customers, and reducing their reliance on one market. Another retained strategy is to engage in the geographic expansion tactic, which includes establishing manufacturing units and alliances in areas where demand is rapidly increasing and imposing lower transportation logistics costs.

Sustainability is a key driver for companies within the MCC landscape with the rise in investments into sustainable sourcing to meet the increasing demand for green initiatives and regulatory requirements, such as non-wood by-products and agricultural by-products. Strategic collaboration, mergers and acquisitions continue to be attractive options for players in the MCC market to improve their market share and invest in R&D. Investments in improved production methods reduce production costs and improve production consistency. These strategies allow these MCC producers to be agile in meeting the diverse demands of their customers, while allowing for innovation, improvement, and sustainability in the management of MCC production.

DuPont de Nemours, Inc.

Founded in 1802 and headquartered in, Delaware, the United States, DuPont de Nemours, Inc. has pioneered materials, such as neoprene, nylon, Teflon, Kevlar, Mylar, Tyvek, and Sorona. The company has earned multiple National Medals of Technology, notably for Kevlar and CFC replacements, and received over seven R&D 100 and Edison awards by 2024 for innovations in sustainability and high-performance materials.

Asahi Kasei Corporation

Established in May 1931 with headquarters in Tokyo's Yurakucho district, Asahi Kasei Corporation is a Japanese chemical and materials giant renowned for its diverse offerings, including performance polymers, medical devices, and electronics materials. The company continues to innovate in food safety, healthcare, and energy, backed by extensive R&D and global production across Asia, Europe, and North America.

Sigachi Industries Limited

Sigachi Industries Limited was founded in 1989 and is headquartered in Hyderabad, India, with multiple manufacturing sites in Telangana, Gujarat, and Karnataka. The firm has pioneered microcrystalline cellulose production, earning national entrepreneurship and innovation awards, achieving global certifications and expanding exports to 65+ countries.

Accent Microcell Pvt. Ltd.

Accent Microcell Pvt. Ltd. began operations in 2012 in Ahmedabad, Gujarat and specializes in cellulose excipients, earned ISO, GMP and FSSC 22000 certifications. The company has set up advanced labs and plants in Pirana and Dahej while going public in 2022, and exports globally to 36+ countries.

Other players in the microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) market are DFE Pharma GmbH & Co.KG, among others.

Key Features of the Microcrystalline Cellulose (MCC) Market Report

- In-depth quantitative analysis of market size, share, and forecast through 2034
- Regional and segment-wise breakdown highlighting key growth opportunities and drivers
- Competitive landscape profiling major MCC manufacturers and their strategic initiatives
- Detailed pricing analysis and supply chain assessment across major economies
- Insights into technological innovations and eco-friendly MCC production advancements
- Regulatory landscape and compliance factors impacting global MCC industry expansion

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- Trusted source for data-driven market forecasts and actionable insights
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