Tartaric acid is a naturally occurring acid possessing a wide range of benefits. The estimated global demand for tartaric acid is 77,000 MT and is growing at a CAGR of 5 percent. 80 percent of the demand is from the beverages, food and pharmaceuticals industries. Spain, Italy, Australia, and the U.S. are the suppliers of natural tartaric acid. Synthetic suppliers of tartaric acid are mainly in China.
What is tartaric acid?
It is a naturally occurring organic acid. At room temperature, it turns to a solid substance which looks white and crystalline. It is mostly found in food items such as grapes, apples, apricots, avocados, and sunflower seeds. Tamarind which is grown in countries like Africa or other tropic countries also contains tartaric acid. Spain and Portugal have been using this acid since the 16th century. It has been used for centuries in Spanish cuisines and Mexican dishes
Benefits of Tartaric Acid
The top benefits of tartaric acid include:
- Immunity booster: Tartaric acid is believed to save the body from many life-threatening diseases in the long run because of the presence of antioxidants. It keeps the immune system healthy and keeps you healthy. So to stay fit, eat fruits that contain tartaric acid. Apples and apricots are the largest sources of tartaric acid.
- Provides digestive aid: Another benefit of tartaric acid is that it improves digestion and helps fight flatulence. It increases the rate of flow of nutrients in your bloodstream by improving intestinal absorption.
- Helps improve intolerance towards glucose: A surprising yet true benefit of tartaric acid is that it improves tolerance towards glucose. Tartaric acid is very beneficial for people having intolerance towards glucose.
- In cosmetic industries: Tartaric acid is extensively used by skin care and cosmetic companies. It is used in skin toners, hair conditioners, moisturizers, skin protection products etc. It balances the pH level of these products making it neither too acidic nor too basic.
- Treating acne: It helps treat acne and pimples and maintains the health of the skin. It boosts the collagen production in the skin and is used in many anti-aging products. This acid provides a youthful glow to the skin.
Side effects of Tartaric Acid
Tartaric acid is widely used and has lots of benefits. Although, it is extracted naturally the consumption of large amounts of tartaric acid might lead to some side effects. The main side effects are:
- Overeating: If consumed in unregulated quantities, tartaric acid tends to increase the appetite of the person and in turn leads to excessive intake of food. As a result, the person can become overweight which can lead to further problems such as diabetes, hypertension, heart diseases etc.
- Digestive problems: It is true that tartaric acid has benefits of improving digestion by increasing absorption. But if care is not taken in consumption, it might lead to problems including gastrointestinal infections, nauseous feeling or vomiting, inflammation or abdominal pain.
Reasons behind tartaric acid market growth
Various reasons can be attributed to the growth in the market for tartaric acid. Firstly, there has been a steady increase in the demand for wine all over the world. As tartaric acid is a vital ingredient in preparing wine, its consumption is also increasing. Secondly, tartaric acid is widely used in pharmaceutical segments as it is an effective remedy for various digestive problems and is also useful in improving the taste of medicines. Lastly, an increase in the use of packaged food items is also a major reason for the rapid growth of the tartaric acid market as it is a vital component in packaged foods.
Market Growth of Tartaric Acid
The predominant manufacturing of tartaric acid is from various natural fruits including grapes, apricots, and apples. However, synthetic tartaric acid can also be manufactured from maleic anhydride. The maximum demand of tartaric acid is from Europe followed by the APAC region.
Let’s have a look at the factors affecting the supply of tartaric acid. Due to bad weather conditions in Europe, harvesting of grapes was severely affected. As grapes are an important ingredient in the manufacturing of tartaric acid, there has been a considerable fall in the production of tartaric acid. On another level, a shortage of grapes resulted in an increase in the prices which in turn led to an increase in the prices of tartaric acid. These conditions are going to prevail for another few years and as a result, the market will witness an increase in prices and shortfall in supply.
Market Overview
The future prospects for tartaric acid market are quite bright as it is being widely used in its natural form in food and pharmaceutical segments. The highest demand for tartaric acid is in Europe followed by the Asia Pacific region. It has a competitor in Citric acid, but its use is prohibited in certain wine making regions.