We are sure you all know about agar, or agar-agar (same meaning, agar-agar comes from Malay, where repeating the word emphasizes it, meaning "the real gelling substance")!
Agar is a complex polysaccharide mainly extracted from red seaweeds such as Gelidium, Gracilaria and Pterocladiella. In algae, agar contributes to cell wall rigidity, helping them resist mechanical stress, desiccation and osmotic pressure in harsh coastal environments.
Industrially, agar is famous as the gold standard culture medium in microbiology, allowing the growth of bacteria, fungi and microalgae in laboratories worldwide. It is also widely used in food (desserts, jellies, vegan alternatives), pharmaceuticals, cosmetics and tissue engineering, thanks to its thermal stability, transparency and strong gelling capcity!
Market:
The global agar market was estimated at around USD 350-400 million in 2025 and is projected to exceed USD 580 million by 2032, growing at approximately 7% CAGR (compound annual growth rate).
Sources:
- https://www.360iresearch.com/library/intelligence/agar
- https://www.grandviewresearch.com/press-release/agar-agar-gum-market
Agar is one of the oldest and most impactful marine biomolecules ever commercialized.
