The global food antifoaming agents market size was around USD 6.29 Billion in 2022 and is estimated to reach USD 9.03 Billion by 2031, expanding at a CAGR of around 4.1% during the forecast period, 2023 to 2031. Growth of the market is attributed to growing environmental concerns and government legislation concerning the release of overflows across various industries along with monitoring VOC emissions.
An antifoaming agent or defoamer is a chemical additive that limits the formation of foam or eliminates the already formed foam. Antifoaming agents act at the surface of the foam bubbles, causing the bubble to shrink and destabilize itself, eventually crushing it. Industrial liquid processes use antifoaming agents to curb the formation of foam, as the foam distorts the surface coating of various products. Each antifoaming agent is tailored to specific antifoaming agents application and industries around the world.

Polydimethylsiloxanes, insoluble oils, and some alcohols are some of the most commonly used agents. Antifoaming agents have a wide range of applications. With time, demand is increasing. To meet the growing demand, major vendors are joining the antifoaming manufacturing industry.
Market Trends, Drivers, Restraints, and Opportunities
- Expansion of application industries and emerging economies increased the demand for the global food antifoaming market.
- Governments are becoming environment-conscious and combating rising environment issues and stringent regulations regarding the discharge of effluents from various industries. This is expected to hinder the market growth.
- Increasing consumption of convenience food, beverages, bakery items, and confectionaries surged the demand for antifoaming agents specifically by the food & beverages industry.
- Lack of awareness among the developing countries and high loading levels of the antifoaming agents has been a major roadblock for the growth of the market.
- Recent developments in antifoam composition and performance provide lucrative opportunities for the global market.
- The staggering growth of the packaged food industry is expected to drive the global food antifoaming agent market.
Food Antifoaming Agents Market Scope
The report on the global food antifoaming agents market analysis includes an assessment of the market, trends, segments, and regional markets. Overview and dynamics have also been included in the report.
Attributes
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Details
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Report Title
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Food Antifoaming Agents Market - Global Industry Analysis, Growth, Share, Size, Trends, and Forecast
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Base Year
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2022
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Historic Data
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2016–2021
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Forecast Period
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2023–2031
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Segmentation
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Types (Water-based, Silicone-based, and Oil-based) and Applications (Beverages, Bakery & Confectionery, Dairy, and Oils & Fats)
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Regional Scope
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Asia Pacific, North America, Latin America, Europe, and Middle East & Africa
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Report Coverage
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Company Share, Market Analysis and Size, Competitive Landscape, Growth Factors, and Trends, and Revenue Forecast
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Key Players Covered in the Report
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Ashland, Evonik Industries, BASF, and Ecolab
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Food Antifoaming Agents Market Segment Insights
The silicon-based defoamer segment is expected to hold a major share during the forecast period
Based on types, the global food anti-foaming agents market share is segregated into water-based, silicone-based, and oil-based. The global silicone defoamer market is expected to reach USD 16.8 billion, expanding at a CAGR of 4.3% during the forecast period. Growth of the silicon-based defoamer is attributed to its properties such as low surface tension, chemical inertness, thermal stability, and total solubility in water.
The water-based defoamers segment is projected to account for a significant share over the forecast period. The water-based defoamers segment is divided into pulp & paper, water treatment, paints & coatings, food & beverage, and others. In 2020, the pulp & paper segment led the global market for water-based defoamers, accounting for over 30% of overall sales.
Oil-based defoamers are effective at handling macro-foam and have a high performance. The segment is expected to expand at a CAGR of 3.8% during the forecast period. However, the negative environmental effect of these goods is expected to hamper the segment growth.

The beverage segment is anticipated to offer attractive opportunities in the forecast period
On the basis of applications, the global food antifoaming agents market is fragmented as beverages, bakery & confectionery, dairy, and oils & fats. The beverages segment is expected to hold a major market share during the forecast period. Increased demand for beverages and brewery in recent times due to the pandemic augmented the growth of the segment. The oils & fats segment is expected to grow rapidly, due to rising demand for oils & fats-based food products.
The market in North America is expected to hold a major share
In terms of regions, the global food antifoaming agents market is classified as Asia Pacific, North America, Latin America, Europe, and Middle East & Africa. The market in North America dominates the antifoaming agents market, due to rising demand from various applications such as pulp, paper, paints, and coatings in the region, especially in the US. The market in Asia Pacific is expected to rise, due to high demand from various industries such as paints and coatings, pharmaceuticals, water treatment, and agriculture during the forecast period.
Segments
The global food antifoaming agents market has been segmented on the basis of
Types
- Water-based
- Silicon-based
- Oil-based
Applications
- Beverages
- Bakery & Confectionery
- Dairy
- Oils & Fats
Regions
- Asia Pacific
- North America
- Latin America
- Europe
- Middle East & Africa
Key Players
- Ashland
- Evonik Industries
- BASF
- Ecolab
Competitive Landscape
Major players in the global food antifoaming agents market include Ashland, Evonik Industries, BASF, and Ecolab. On 10 October, 2019, BASF launched Foamaster® WO 2360, a new defoamer that complies with China's food contact regulation GB 9685-2016 for adhesives, as well as major food contact regulations such as Title 21, food contact materials regulation (EC), Bundesinstitut für Risikobewertung (BfR), and Swiss Ordinance on Food Contact Materials for packaging.
