United Kingdom Rheology Modifiers Market Growth Analysis - Market Size, Share, Forecast Trends and Outlook Report (2025-2034)

United Kingdom Rheology Modifiers Market Growth

The growth of the United Kingdom rheology modifiers market is largely driven by the expanding food and beverage sector, where these modifiers play a crucial role in controlling the texture, consistency, and flow properties of several processed food and beverage items. Modifiers such as gums, cellulose derivatives, and starches are commonly used for mouthfeel, viscosity, and suspension of stable semi-liquid products like sauces, dressings, ice creams, and alcoholic drinks. According to government estimates, in 2023, the consumer expenditure on food and alcohol drinks amounted to EUR 245.5 billion, one of the highest globally, of which the value of food and drink exports stood at EUR 24.4 billion. As the market further expands owing to the growing population and rising disposable income in the region, rheology modifiers are expected to witness a sharp demand rise.

Opportunities in the United Kingdom rheology modifiers market are increasing, as rheology modifiers like cellulose ethers and synthetic thickeners are in high demand within the country’s construction sector, owing to their extensive use in paints, coatings, sealants, and adhesives. They are known to enhance the workability, stability, and performance of these materials, besides improving their viscosity control, flowability, and adhesion to improve mixture consistency, spreadability, and film formation. According to government reports, the construction output in the United Kingdom has lately been growing, recording a rise of 0.4% between July and August 2024. Further growth in output due to rapid industrialisation and urbanisation of key economic zones is expected to raise the requirement of rheology modifiers in the production of construction materials during the coming years.

Key Trends and Recent Developments

United Kingdom Rheology Modifiers Market Trends

The rising demand for organic rheology modifiers in the cosmetics industry is influencing the United Kingdom rheology modifiers market dynamics and trends. This growth has been steady in recent years, driven by their extensive use of high-quality and multifunctional cosmetic products. They help control the overall texture, viscosity, and flow of the products, particularly creams, lotions, shampoos, and makeup formulations to achieve the desired consistency, long-lasting stability, and ease of application. Moreover, their natural origin prevents any harmful effects on the skin, promoting safety, health sustainability, and eco-conscious beauty standards. Reflecting this trend, European beauty brand SNF launched Natursol EMI Lite in March 2024, a rheology modifier with a naturality index of 78%, designed to deliver luxurious textures while maintaining an eco-conscious approach.

United Kingdom Rheology Modifiers Industry Segmentation

United Kingdom Rheology Modifiers Market Share

Rising health concerns are driving the demand for organic rheology modifiers, a key trend in the United Kingdom rheology modifiers market

Organic rheology modifiers are expected to grow at a CAGR of 4.9% during the forecast period of 2025 and 2034. According to the United Kingdom rheology modifiers market analysis, the market is being driven by increasing health concerns and shifting food consumption patterns, which are boosting the demand for organic and plant-based rheology modifiers, particularly in the UK’s food and beverage sector. These modifiers are free from synthetic additives and are completely natural in origin, helping maintain the desirable quality and safety standards of food items as per consumer preference. Recognising their sustainability potential, several brands have introduced organic rheology modifiers in their product portfolio. For instance, Tate and Lyle, a global food and beverage ingredients manufacturer, announced the expansion of its tapioca-based starch product line with the launch of two new starches, namely, REZISTA MAX thickening starches and BRIOGEL gelling starches in January 2021.

Opportunities in the United Kingdom rheology modifiers market are growing, as the market for inorganic rheology modifiers is also expanding, driven by the increasing shift towards water-based paints and formulations. For example, in January 2021, UK-based Pintyplus broadened its range of water-based paints with the introduction of Pintyplus Evolution, a water-based acrylic paint that dries rapidly and provides outstanding coverage, gloss, and exceptional weather resistance. This shift is due to concerns about volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in traditional paints, which harm the environment and air quality. Water-based paints and formulations have a lower environmental impact, and inorganic rheology modifiers such as bentonite, hectorite, and sepiolite are ideal for enhancing their thickness, stability, and suspension to improve their overall performance.

Pharmaceutical and textile industries account for the largest United Kingdom rheology modifiers market share

According to the United Kingdom rheology modifiers market report, the pharmaceutical industry is the largest driver of demand for rheology modifiers in the UK’s industrial sector, due to the rising sales and exports of pharmaceutical products. Pharmaceutical industry is expected to grow at a CAGR of 5% during the forecast period of 2025 and 2034. Modifiers are primarily used in products such as creams, ointments, gels, and syrups, to regulate viscosity, stability, and texture, especially in topical and oral dosage forms. Government estimates suggest that the United Kingdom remained among the top five markets in Europe in terms of pharmaceutical sales and exported more than EUR 21,000 million worth of exports in 2022.

Besides, the textile industry is also witnessing a growing demand for rheology modifiers market to provide suitable viscosity to solutions such as dye baths, finishing treatments, and coatings, thereby enhancing the quality and performance of manufactured textiles and fabrics. Industry reports suggest that the UK consumed 1.42 million tonnes of new textile products in 2022 out of the 1.45 million tonnes that year. As consumption levels rise further owing to increasing population and changing fashion preferences, the rheology modifiers demand growth is expected to increase.

United Kingdom Rheology Modifiers Market Regional Analysis

Due to the rising population, influx of migrants, and changing food consumption patterns, England has an extremely robust and dynamic food and beverage industry. England rheology modifiers market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 4.2% during the forecast period of 2025 and 2034. According to the UK’s National Statistics Office, the country’s share of manufactured food product sales was the highest (20.8%) among the total manufactured goods sales in 2023. Besides, soft drinks sales showed a significant annual increase of EUR 696 million (12.4%) during the same period. The growing consumption of both these products is having a positive impact on the United Kingdom rheology modifiers market revenue.

Besides England, Wales is also witnessing a sharp growth in the consumption of food and beverages, owing to increasing urbanisation in major suburbs. According to the local government of Wales, the food and drinks industry currently employs 17% of the region’s total workforce. The government has set a target to increase the industry's value to at least EUR 8.5 billion by 2025. This is expected to drive new growth opportunities for the United Kingdom rheology modifiers market.

Competitive Landscape

The United Kingdom rheology modifiers market key players are expanding their business across multiple industries such as food and beverages, pharmaceuticals, and cosmetics to fuel their overall revenue growth. Furthermore, they are also creating an inclusive market by catering to the needs of diverse customers such as those preferring plant-based and animal-free ingredients in the products they consume.

BASF SE

Founded in 1865, BASF SE is headquartered in Ludwigshafen, Germany. It operates in multiple segments which include agriculture, automotive and transportation, chemicals, coating solutions, construction, electronics and electricals, energy, furniture, personal and home care, nutrition, packaging, paints and varnishes, pharmaceuticals, and textiles.

Cargill, Inc.

Founded in 1865, Cargill is headquartered in Minnesota, United States. It offers food, ingredients, ...

Arkema SA

Founded in 2006, Arkema is headquartered in Paris, France, and is a pioneer in the development of sp...

Clariant AG

Founded in 1995, Clariant AG is based in Northern Switzerland, Europe. The company is a global leade...

*Please note that this is only a partial list; the complete list of key players is available in the full report. Additionally, the list of key players can be customized to better suit your needs.*

Other key players considered in the United Kingdom rheology modifiers market report Croda International Plc, The Lubrizol Corp., The Dow Chemical Company, Ashland Inc., ALTANA AG (BYK-Chemie GmbH), Elementis PLC, and Wacker Chemie AG, among others.