North America And Europe Release Agents Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report By Application, By Product (Liquids, Solids, Others), By Raw Material, By Region, And Segment Forecasts, 2025 - 2030

Market Size & Trends

The North America and Europe release agents market size was valued at USD 745.0 million in 2024 and is projected to grow at a CAGR of 4.4% from 2025 to 2030. The growth of this market is primarily influenced by factors such as growing demand from the food processing industry, increasing utilization of bakery and confectionery products, and rising packaging applications.

Demand for packaged foods, ready-to-eat or ready-to-make food products, and convenient food products has grown significantly in recent years. Growth in urban population, changing lifestyles of individuals, a large number of individuals engaged in the workforce, and rising migration to urbanized areas from other parts of the land have resulted in this growth. These aspects have generated a higher demand for food additives and materials associated with advanced packaging and food processing. Many retail industry participants engaged in food processing and packaged food businesses have also added to the growth in demand for release agents.

Release agents are extensively utilized in the bakery, confectionery, and ready-to-cook food products market. The growing trends associated with the large-scale production of food products, especially through automated manufacturing processes, have led to the development of numerous release agents with unique abilities such as storage stability, even browning, and improved surface structures.

When applied to the surface of the food item, the release agents provide unmatched assistance in separating food products from molds, containers, and other surfaces, especially after processes such as roasting or baking. These characteristics of release agents have resulted in increasing utilization of it by industries such as food production, food processing, baking and confectionery, and others.

Solvent-based release agent products are often made by liquefying or dissolving the active ingredients in a blend of solvents. The choice of solvent directly influences factors such as the evaporation rate, dispersion quality, and film formation. Release agents are applied in numerous ways; however, spraying is considered the most convenient method, especially during quick baking and high-speed industrial processes.

Application Insights

The bakery & confectionary segment dominated the North America and Europe release agents industry in 2024. A large share of confectionery exports, increasing demand for packaged food products, and a significant increase in utilization have contributed to the dominance of this segment. In 2023, the US confectionery exports were valued at nearly USD 856.9 million. This accounted for more than 18% growth from the previous year. Canada confectionery exports were USD 450.9 million, and Mexico confectionery export accounted for USD 87.4 million in 2023. European Union experienced nearly 19.0% growth in confectionery exports from 2022 to 2023.

The meat products segment is expected to experience significant growth during the forecast period. This is attributed to urban consumers' increasing demand for packaged meat and ready-to-cook meat products. Release agents, when sprayed on the surface of the meat, ensure that it sticks to the surface during roasting or cooking. Release agents added to meat also ensure hassle-free handling, enhanced product appearance, and minimized waste during processes.

Product Insights

The liquid release agents segment held the largest revenue share of the North America and Europe release agents industry in 2024. The increasing applications mainly influence the growth of this segment in sectors such as food processing, bakery, construction, automotive, and others. Liquid release agents are increasingly utilized to release materials like epoxy or rubber and demold products and prevent sticking. Increasing availability and ease of use are also contributing to the growing utilization.

The solid release agents segment is projected to experience moderate growth during the forecast period. Solid release agents are commonly used as chemical compounds in food processing and manufacturing industries. These agents are a barrier between the product and mold surface to ensure easy release. Usually applied to the mold surface or added to the product, solid-release agents prevent sticking.

Raw Material Insights

The vegetable oil segment held a significant revenue share of the market. The material's characteristics, such as superior film formation, stability during oxidation, ease of incorporation, and use, are primary factors influencing its growth in use. Often provided in spray form, vegetable oil-based release agents help users remove products from molds or tins without losing texture, surface, and more. Vegetable oil-based release agents are extensively used in food processing and production, especially baking and confectionery.

The emulsifiers segment is projected to experience substantial growth during the forecast period. This is attributed to factors such as increasing utilization in the food processing and food production industry and unique benefits offered by the material to the product, such as enhanced moistness and texture. When incorporated as a release agent, an emulsifier weakens the bond between the product and mold surface to ensure easy removal and the least material loss.

Regional Insights

Europe held the dominating revenue share of the North America and Europe release agents market in 2024. The growth of this market is mainly influenced by factors such as the presence of multiple businesses operating in the bakery and confectionery industry, growing utilization by food service industry professionals, and increased availability through innovation-based packaging across various markets. Many food processing organizations operating in the region play a vital role in the growing demand for the release agent.

Germany Release Agents Market Trends

Germany held a significant revenue share of the regional market for release agents in 2024. Germany is home to large enterprises operating in the confectionery products market. This includes products such as gingerbread, chocolate, marzipan, caramels, toffees, wine gums, nougat, and others. The growing demand in global markets for confectionery products made in Germany is expected to add growth opportunities for North America and Europe release agents industry.

North America Release Agents Market Trends

North America held a noteworthy revenue share of the North America and Europe release agents market in 2024. This is attributed to the growing demand for processed meat, bakery and confectionery products, convenience food items, and more. Food processing businesses in the U.S. and Canada contribute a large share of global exports of confectionery products. Increasing availability in packaging forms such as sprays and more are adding to the growth of this market.

The U.S. dominated the regional market in 2024. The changing lifestyle and increasing demand for processed food products and ready-to-cook meat products are contributing to the growth of this market. The growing market penetration of the e-commerce industry is facilitating the development of the processed food market. Increasing demand for vegan or plant-based food products is also expected to fuel the industry's growth.

Key North America And Europe Release Agents Company Insights

Some of the key companies operating in the North America and Europe release agents industry include ADM, Cargill Incorporated, IFC Solutions, Inc., Bunge Limited, AAK AB and others. To address the growing demand from food processing industry and competition in the regional markets, companies are adopting strategies such as portfolio expansion, collaboration, innovation and others.

• ADM, Archer Daniels Midland Company, offers a wide range of products associated with human nutrition, animal nutrition, pet nutrition, industrial solutions, and more. It provides ADM Stabrium Lecithin Emulsifiers characterized by their capabilities to offer clean separation and enhanced blending and mixing.

• Bunge, an agribusiness, food, and ingredients company, provides a diversified portfolio of products. Its release agent offerings include Westfalia Gleit-Schneidöl 30 l Fass, Westfalia Trenn Pro L55 DT, Westfalia Trennwachs 10 l, Westfalia Trenn Pro L55 DT 30 l Fass, Westfalia Trenn Pro L50 DT 19% and others.

Recent Development

• In October 2024, ChemPoint LLC and PLZ Corp announced a newly established partnership for business functions such as marketing, distribution, and sales of PLZ’s food release agents. This is expected to assist ChemPoint with effective market penetration in markets such as the U.S., Canada, Mexico, and others.

North America And Europe Release Agents Market Report Scope

North America And Europe Release Agents Market Report Segmentation

This report forecasts revenue growth at North America and Europe, regional, and country levels and provides an analysis of the latest industry trends in each of the sub-segments from 2018 to 2030. For this study, grand view research has segmented the North America and Europe release agents market report based on application, product, raw material, and region.

• Application Outlook (Volume, Kilotons; Revenue, USD Million, 2018 - 2030)

  • Bakery & Confectionary

    • Rolls & Breads (Including Pizza)

    • Cookies & Biscuits

    • Desserts

    • Others

  • Meat Products

  • Packaged foods (Excluding Bakery & Meat Products)

  • Others

• Product Outlook (Volume, Kilotons; Revenue, USD Million, 2018 - 2030)

  • Liquids

  • Solids

  • Others

• Raw Material Outlook (Volume, Kilotons; Revenue, USD Million, 2018 - 2030)

  • Emulsifiers

    • Mono, Diglycerides & Derivatives

    • Lecithin

    • Sorbitan Esters

    • Stearoyl Lactylates

    • Others

  • Wax & Wax Derivatives

  • Vegetable Oil

  • Antioxidants

  • Others

• Regional Outlook (Volume, Kilotons; Revenue, USD Million, 2018 - 2030)

  • North America

    • U.S.

    • Canada

    • Mexico

  • Europe

    • UK

    • Germany

    • France