Market Overview

According to WiseGuy Reports, the Industry Grade Pea Starch Market was valued at USD 800 million in 2024 and remained at USD 800 million in 2025. The market is projected to reach USD 1.5 billion by 2035, expanding at a CAGR of 5.9% from 2026 to 2035. Growing demand for plant-based additives, increasing consumer health consciousness, expanding food industry applications, rising popularity of gluten-free products, and innovations in processing technologies are supporting market development. Key companies profiled include Roquette Freres, The Scoular Company, Cargill, Ingredion, Starch Europe, Tate & Lyle, Axiom Foods, The Lemna Corporation, Beneo, Sustainable Bioproducts, Cosucra, Aust & Hachmann, APM Corporation, Agrana, Emsland Group, and Green Plains Inc.

Industry grade pea starch is a plant-derived ingredient obtained from peas and valued for its thickening, stabilizing, texturizing, and emulsifying properties. Its functional characteristics make it suitable for applications across food and beverages, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, textiles, and paper and packaging. Growing interest in plant-based and gluten-free ingredients is increasing the commercial relevance of pea starch across diverse industries.

The market is segmented by application, source, form, functionality, and region. Major sources include yellow peas, green peas, and processed peas, while product forms include powder, granule, and liquid. These variations allow manufacturers to select pea starch according to specific processing and formulation requirements.

Market Size Reached in 2025

The Industry Grade Pea Starch Market reached USD 800 million in 2025, maintaining the reported 2024 market valuation. Growing adoption of plant-based ingredients and changing consumer preferences are creating opportunities for pea starch producers across food and non-food applications.

Food and beverages represent a major application segment. Pea starch can provide functional properties such as thickening and stabilization, making it suitable for various formulations. The increasing demand for plant-based foods is encouraging manufacturers to explore alternative starch sources that align with evolving consumer preferences.

The pharmaceutical industry provides another application opportunity. Plant-derived functional ingredients can be used in selected pharmaceutical formulations and processing applications, creating demand for consistent-quality pea starch.

Cosmetics and personal care products are also contributing to market opportunities. Manufacturers are increasingly exploring plant-based ingredients as consumers show greater interest in products incorporating naturally derived components.

Textiles and paper and packaging provide additional industrial applications. Pea starch can support specific processing and functional requirements in these industries, broadening its market potential beyond food products.

Expected Market Size by 2035

The market is projected to reach USD 1.5 billion by 2035, increasing from USD 800 million in 2025. Growth is expected to be supported by expanding food applications, demand for plant-based ingredients, the rising popularity of gluten-free products, biodegradable packaging initiatives, and innovations in sourcing and processing.

The food industry is expected to remain a key growth opportunity. Consumers are increasingly seeking plant-based and clean-label products, encouraging food manufacturers to investigate alternative ingredients with functional properties.

Gluten-free products represent another important opportunity. The expanding gluten-free food category requires suitable starches and texturizing ingredients, creating additional demand for pea-derived alternatives.

Biodegradable packaging is an emerging opportunity outside traditional food applications. Increasing interest in sustainable packaging solutions is encouraging research into plant-derived materials and starch-based formulations that can contribute to alternative packaging technologies.

Innovations in sourcing methods can also strengthen the market. Improved cultivation, processing, and extraction technologies can help producers enhance yield, consistency, and functionality while supporting more efficient supply chains.

Market CAGR

The Industry Grade Pea Starch Market is forecast to grow at a CAGR of 5.9% between 2026 and 2035. The growth trajectory reflects increasing utilization of plant-based ingredients and the expansion of pea starch into new food and industrial applications.

Processing technology is an important factor influencing market development. Improvements in separation, purification, drying, and formulation can help manufacturers achieve consistent product characteristics and meet different application requirements.

The availability of multiple forms also supports market flexibility. Powdered pea starch can be incorporated into dry formulations, while granule and liquid formats can address different processing and manufacturing requirements.

Functional versatility is another important market characteristic. The ability to serve as a thickening agent, stabilizer, texturizer, or emulsifier enables pea starch to address a broad range of formulation needs.

Key Growth Drivers

Growing demand for plant-based additives is one of the strongest factors supporting market expansion. Food and consumer product manufacturers are increasingly incorporating plant-derived ingredients to respond to changing preferences.

Increasing health consciousness among consumers is another significant driver. Greater attention to nutrition and ingredient composition is encouraging demand for products positioned around plant-based and alternative formulations.

Expanding applications in the food industry are further strengthening demand. Pea starch can provide functional properties needed in different food formulations, allowing manufacturers to develop products with specific texture and stability characteristics.

The rising popularity of gluten-free products is creating another growth avenue. Consumers seeking alternatives to conventional grain-based ingredients are contributing to greater interest in pea-derived starches.

Innovations in processing technologies are also supporting market development by improving the efficiency, consistency, and functional performance of pea starch production.

Emerging Market Trends

The shift toward plant-based ingredients is one of the most important trends shaping the market. Food manufacturers are diversifying their ingredient portfolios as consumers increasingly seek alternatives derived from plant sources.

Gluten-free product development is another major trend. Pea starch can provide functional characteristics in formulations designed for consumers avoiding gluten, creating opportunities across bakery, processed foods, snacks, and other categories.

Sustainable packaging is emerging as a promising application area. Research into biodegradable materials is encouraging manufacturers to investigate starch-based components and plant-derived alternatives for packaging applications.

Another trend is the diversification of pea sources. Yellow peas remain important, while green peas and processed pea sources can provide additional raw material options. Improvements in sourcing and processing can support more consistent supply.

Functional customization is also gaining importance. Manufacturers are developing starch products optimized for specific properties such as viscosity, stabilization, texture, and emulsification, allowing pea starch to serve increasingly specialized applications.

Asia Pacific is expected to provide substantial opportunities due to its expanding food-processing industry, rising consumer awareness, growing demand for plant-based foods, and increasing industrial activity. China, India, Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, Thailand, and Indonesia represent important markets.

North America and Europe remain significant regions because of established food, pharmaceutical, cosmetics, and sustainable-material industries. Strong consumer interest in plant-based and gluten-free products can support continued adoption. South America and the Middle East and Africa offer additional opportunities as food processing and consumer markets develop.

Competitive Landscape

The competitive landscape includes Roquette Freres, The Scoular Company, Cargill, Ingredion, Starch Europe, Tate & Lyle, Axiom Foods, The Lemna Corporation, Beneo, Sustainable Bioproducts, Cosucra, Aust & Hachmann, APM Corporation, Agrana, Emsland Group, and Green Plains Inc.

Companies compete through product quality, functional performance, processing technology, sourcing capabilities, production capacity, pricing, and distribution networks. Consistency and functionality are particularly important for food and pharmaceutical customers with specific formulation requirements.

Research and development remains a significant competitive strategy. Producers are investing in improved processing methods, functional modifications, new applications, and sustainable sourcing approaches to expand the commercial potential of pea starch.

Companies are also exploring opportunities in biodegradable packaging and other industrial applications. Developing solutions that combine functional performance with plant-based sourcing can help manufacturers address growing sustainability requirements.

With the market projected to increase from USD 800 million in 2025 to USD 1.5 billion by 2035 at a CAGR of 5.9%, the Industry Grade Pea Starch Market is positioned for steady expansion. Rising demand for plant-based ingredients, gluten-free products, functional foods, sustainable packaging, and innovative processing technologies is expected to remain central to market development through 2035.