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World consumption of fumaric acid was nearly 130 thousand metric tons in 2006;
global capacity utilization was 64%. Food and beverages accounted for nearly
40% of world consumption in 2006; rosin paper sizes, unsaturated polyester
resins and alkyd resins accounted for a combined 46%. In food and beverage
applications, fumaric acid functions as an acidulant and provides the following
properties:
- Controls growth of microorganisms (preservation)
- Adjusts pH
- Enhances flavors
World growth prospects for fumaric acid in food, beverages and confections
are strong. The main factors behind this growth are:
- Food safety (preservation).
- Desire for convenience (increased popularity of processed foods and ready-to-drink
beverages).
- New beverage and food introductions, mainly fruit-flavored beverages and
foods, including ethnic and exotic fruit flavors and flavor blends.
- Growing consumption of nutritional bars (including cereal, sports and energy
bars), and sports and protein drinks (including fortified and enhanced water)
has opened new applications for fumaric acid. As this category continues
to grow, particularly in North America, Europe and Asia, producers are introducing
numerous flavor varieties of bars and drinks. However, fumaric acid has not
experienced the same level of volume growth in nutritional foods and beverages
as other acidulants, since it is used in smaller quantities than citric acid
and DL-malic acid because of its stronger acidity.
Demand for fumaric acid in unsaturated polyester resins and alkyd resins is
greatly influenced by general economic conditions; both resins depend heavily
on construction/remodeling activity (residential and nonresidential) and
automotive production. Strong Asian demand for unsaturated polyester resins
and alkyd resins is tempered by moderate growth for unsaturated polyester resins
in most developed regions and negative growth in alkyd resins in the United
States and Europe, primarily as a result of environmental regulations. Consumption
of fumaric acid in rosin paper sizes is forecast to decline in both the United
States and Europe during 2006–2011 because of increased use of alkaline
papermaking and the development of more efficient rosin sizes.
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