Mold inhibitor are artificially or naturally derived chemicals that prevent growth of mold on a variety of products like bread, hay, paint, wood, feed and more. North America holds a majority share in the global mold inhibitors market. North America leads the mold inhibitors market with wide applications in food, animal feed, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, paint, and other industries. The consumption pattern and developed economy in North America have played a significant role in triggering the usage of mold inhibitors over the years. The United States is the largest consumer of mold inhibitors.
Asia-Pacific is the second largest market after North America and is estimated to experience a high growth rate due to an increase in the high disposable income of the population and increased industrialization in developing countries like China and India. The availability of raw materials and labor has led to the shift of industries like wood, leather, and paint from western countries to the Asia-Pacific region. Therefore, mold inhibitors utilization in this region is expected to experience highest growth in the coming years.
Considering the types of mold inhibitors, both propionates and natamycin, are expected to acquire a large market share together, while benzoates, sorbates, sulphates and nitrites are projected to experience a slower growth. This is because sorbates, sulphates, and other mold inhibitors find application only in specific industries like dairy, wood, and paint, whereas propionates and natamycin have wider application areas.
Propionates are the most applicable mold inhibitor. Propionic acid comprises a three-carbon carboxylic acid with a molecular formula of CH3CH2COOH. In the pre-state, it is a corrosive and colorless liquid with a pungent odor. It is commercially manufactured through the oxo (hydroformylation) process, which involves reacting ethylene and carbon monoxide to produce the intermediate propionaldehyde. Further oxidation yields propionic acid. It acts as a mold inhibitor in various food and feed products. Propionic acid and its derivatives are largely used as feed and food preservatives. The other applications of propionic acid and derivatives include herbicides, pharmaceuticals, and solvents. The three propionates most commonly used as antimicrobials are calcium propionate, sodium propionate, and potassium propionate. The key function of calcium propionate in baking is to counter the growth of microbes in various baked products. This makes calcium propionate an ideal preservative for yeast-raised products to prevent them from spoilage. However, researches in various fields have opened up new avenues for the applications of calcium propionate such as the dairy, meat, and processed meat industries.
Natamycin is a naturally-occurring antifungal agent produced during fermentation by bacteria. It finds application in pharmaceuticals, food, animal feed, cosmetics, baking, dairy, among others. Natamycin does not have acute toxicity and hence is suitable for usage in food, even in higher dosages depending on the application. Natamycin is preferred in many regions since it is a natural product and is estimated to have the highest growth rate.
The global food and non-food industries are fast inculcating the use of mold inhibitors in light of the numerous advantages they possess. Mold inhibitors are additives used to minimize mold contamination and prevent mold growth in products of several industries such as food, feed, paint, wood, and many more.
Animal feed application dominates the mold inhibitors market. The worldwide increase in the consumption of animal products and the rearing of livestock is driving the feed mold inhibitors market. Increasing demand from the feed industry has raised concerns to develop new solutions with an effort to counter microbial growth. The mold inhibitors market is expected to grow globally at a faster pace in the food sector. It is fuelled by the growing popularity of baked goods and beverages worldwide. The rise in the demand for food preservatives and the health issues related to mold are some of the factors responsible for the emergence of the mold inhibitors market. The development of mold is a major problem in food and feed products. Therefore, consumers are focusing more on products which have an extended shelf-life, devoid of the possibility of mold.
The mold inhibitors market is dominated by a few large players and many small and medium-scale players. The major players identified in the industry are Kemin (U.S), DSM (Netherlands), Associated British Foods plc (U.K.), and DuPont (U.S.). Kemin (U.S.) is identified as the major player among all mold inhibitor manufacturers owing to its wide product portfolio and tendency to serve a majority of applications.
