Citric Acid: Reasons Behind the Rising Demand from Food & Beverage and Manufacturing Businesses

Key takeaways:

• Introduction
• Applicability of sour salt in the food and beverage industry
• Industrial applications of sour salts
• Changing dynamics of the sector

Citric acid (chemical formula: C6H8O7) is a weak organic acid, naturally occurring in citrus fruits such as lemon and lime. Citric acid is essential for the human body's proper functioning; the citric acid cycle or Krebs cycle forms an important component of the respiration process of cells. Moreover, the crystalline form of citric acid, known as sour salt, is an important raw material in several sectors including food & beverages, cosmetics, chemical manufacturing, etc.

Understanding the growing importance of sour salt in the food and beverages industry

With the growth in urbanization, the demand for packaged foods and beverages has risen exponentially. Furthermore, there is an increase in the consumption of processed and ready-to-eat foods. As a result, the use of preservatives in the food and beverages industry has surged hugely in the past few decades.

At the same time, the growing awareness regarding the need to consume natural food items has led to a shift away from foods with chemical preservatives added to them. Hence, food processing and packaging companies are moving towards natural preservatives. Sour salt, an excellent natural food preservative, has witnessed a major boost due to these factors. Furthermore, sour salt is also used as a flavoring agent and is added to food items to give them a sour-sweet taste. Sour salt is a common ingredient in different beverages and candies. In certain cases, this salt is also used as a coloring agent and emulsifier.

Why has the manufacturing sector witnessed a major uptick in the demand for sour salt?

Sour salt has witnessed a major rise in demand from different manufacturing industries due to its chemical and physical properties. For instance, sour salt has become a popular cleaning and chelating agent in different manufacturing industries. Evaporators and boilers used in manufacturing industries undergo calcium and other chemical deposition due to continuous usage. In such cases, sour salt is used to remove limescale and prevent its redeposition.

Sour salt is also widely used in the detergent and soap manufacturing industry owing to its chelating properties and its ability to soften hard water. This ultimately improves the efficiency of soaps and detergents and makes it easier to remove stains from different surfaces using such detergents.

Sour salt is also a major raw material in the manufacturing of different cosmetic products due to its chemical properties. Sour salt has proven to be quite effective in the removal of dead skin cells and helps in enhancing skin tone. Furthermore, this salt acts as an anti-aging agent and removes wrinkles and acne scars. Sour salt is also an important ingredient in nail polishes, shampoos, soaps, and face cleaners and is primarily added to these products to maintain their pH levels.

Analyzing the changing dynamics of the citric acid industry

Though the citric acid industry has experienced growth in almost all regions of the globe, its rise in the Asia-Pacific region has been noteworthy. In the 2023-2032 period, the industry in the Asia-Pacific region is set to rise at a CAGR of 4.8%. The primary reason behind the growth of the sector in this region is the flourishing food and beverages industry. The growth in disposable incomes of people of this region, along with the rising living standards has increased the demand for packaged and processed foods. Due to this, the demand for citric acid as a preservation agent and acidulant has increased massively.

Apart from this, various private companies have launched citrus-based food products that have helped in the growth of this sector. For instance, in January 2023, Fiberstar, Inc., a major manufacturer of citrus fibers, announced the launch of a new range of organic citrus fibers viz., Citri-Fi® 400 series. Fiberstar, Inc. released a statement saying the product launch will help the company address the growing customer demand for organic and natural food ingredients.

To sum it up, the growing applicability of sour salt in different sectors including food & beverages and cosmetics industries is anticipated to open up new opportunities for the industry in the years to come. The growth of the sector in the Asia-Pacific region and product launches by major companies are expected to play a vital role in the expansion of this domain in the years to come.

For insights into how your business can capitalize on the opportunities offered by the industry, feel free to contact us.

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