Egg Phosphatidylcholine Market Size & Forecast Report, 2012 - 2020

Industry Insights

Global egg phosphatidylcholine market is expected to reach USD 12.2 million by 2020. Egg phosphatidylcholine is extracted from egg lecithin using chemical or mechanical methods using hexane. Cell membrane is majorly composed of phosphatidycholine and moves from one cell membrane to another within a cell due to a protein called phosphatidylcholine transfer protein. It is majorly used in cosmetics industry, dietary supplements and healthcare industry. Rising old age population, the demand for phosphatidycholine is projected to increase as it enhances the functioning of digestive system by improving the functionality of liver. ‘Soy allergy’ is estimated to be amongst the nine most common form of food allergy by the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, which give an advantage to egg phosphatidylcholine in dietary supplements. Choline a key ingredient of egg phosphatidylcholine and is approved by Food and Drug administration of USA as daily dietary supplement owing to its numerous medical benefits such as brain development of fetus during pregnancy, atherosclerosis and neurological functioning. It also helps in enhancing solubility of pharmaceutical active ingredients thereby increasing their use in pharmaceutical industry.

Egg phosphatidycholine is heavily used in cosmetic industry as it possesses properties such as emulsification which makes it suitable to be used in topical creams. It aids in restricting cellular damage of skin structure and also provides smoothness and elasticity to the skin. Other properties such as low toxicity and high skin compatibility, egg phophatidycholine are used as a treasured raw material for the cosmetic industry. Moreover, with the increase in use of cosmetics the market for egg phosphatidycholine is projected to grow. However, with easy availability of less expensive substitutes such as mustard, soybean and sunflower from which phosphatidycholine can be extracted easily, is expected to hinder market growth. In addition, extraction from egg yolk is a complicated and expensive process which is further expected to restrict market growth.

Application Insights

Some of the major applications of egg phosphatidycholine include pharmaceutical, dietetic supplement, and cosmetics. It is used as a solubilized, moisturizer, and emulsifier for various ointments, used for maintenance and beautification of the skin. In addition, properties such as high stability against exposure to light and against oxygen, makes it suitable to be used in cosmetics. Egg phosphatidylcholine stabilized soybean oil emulsions also known as Intralipid. These are employed as lipase substrates. These are also used as human parenteral nutrition thereby making it an essential compound in medical industry. Choline finds wide scale application in medical industry such as treatment of neurological atherosclerosis and other neurological related disorders. Egg phosphatidycholine is a major source of choline. The presence of choline in egg phosphatidycholine is expected to boost the demand for egg phosphatidycholine in dietetic food, due to rising awareness among people about the high nutritional content foodstuffs.

Regional Insights

High demand for cosmetic products form countries such as France, Italy, Germany and United Kingdom has resulted in high demand for egg phosphatidycholine. Moreover, due to its ability to enhance functioning of liver, its demand is expected to rise further. In North America, the demand for egg phosphatidycholine was due to the presence of companies catering to dietetic supplement segment in the region. Emerging economies such as India and China in Asia Pacific are expected to augment the demand egg phosphatidycholine.

Competitive Insights

Some of the major market players in the industry include NOF America Corporation, Nutrasal Inc, Natural Factors, Jena Bioscience GmbH, Kewpie Corporation, Avanti Polar Lipids Inc, Harmony Whole Foods Market, Lipoid, and Vitamin Research Products. The market is highly consolidated due to presence of less number of manufacturers. Moreover, fluctuating prices of raw material will deter entry of new players in the market.

Market Segment:

Egg Phosphatidylcholine Applications Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2012 - 2020)
    • Cosmetics
    • Pharmaceuticals
    • Dietetic Supplements

Egg Phosphatidylcholine Regional Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2012 - 2020)
    • North America
    • Europe
    • Asia Pacific
    • RoW