Carrageenan from Red Seaweed

From Ireland to the World

For hundreds of years, carrageenan has been used in foods around the world, including Ireland where it was first discovered. As a naturally occurring marine algae produced from red seaweed, IFF Carrageenan is a plant-based hydrocolloid solution that serves as a thickening, stabilizing, and gelling agent. With full functionality at low dosages, it is a cost-effective alternative to other hydrocolloids. Our team provides advanced application support with technical expertise and a global reach to find the ideal solution for your needs.

Every location where IFF produces carrageenan has been audited by SMETA (Sedex Members Ethical Trade Audit) for Labor, Health & Safety, Business Ethics, and Environment.
IFF pioneered cultivation of cottonii and spinosum seaweeds in response to shortage of wild carrageenan seaweeds.

Why Choose IFF Carrageenan?

Young, millennial woman sitting outdoors with plants on a urban rooftop, sustainable garden.

Sustainability Commitment

Responsible food sourcing and production are not only demanded by consumers but expected. The IFF Seaweed Responsible Sourcing Program (SRSP) was launched in 2018 on World Ocean’s Day, ensuring traceability and environmental stewardship.

This commitment is backed by Life Cycle Assessments (LCAs) for various alginate SKUs, reinforcing its sustainability credentials.

IFF Carrageenan Applications

Our broad Carrageenan range provides excellent gelling and binding properties for various food products, ranging from plant-based meats, gummy candies, and delectable vegan cheeses.

Bakery/Bars

Our Carrageenan solutions offer flow control, moisture retention, and improved texture over shelf life for fillings, cake glazes, and caramel layers in bars. The elastic (nonstick) texture, syneresis control, shelf-stable gel, and freeze-thaw stability make your products stand out on the shelves.

Beverages

Create plant-based beverages with a smooth, clean mouthfeel and excellent flavor release. Keep particles suspended for even, consistent texture throughout shelf life.

Confectionary

Differentiate your confectionary with the softest, chewiest gummies and creamiest and non-sticky caramel candies. Our ranges provide an easy-to-handle gelling agent that adapts to your process and formulation and provides transparent gels with uniform quality throughout shelf life, even at elevated temperatures.

Culinary

As more customers look for healthier meat options, IFF Carrageenan solutions work to reduce salt, phosphate, and fat in meat and meat alternatives. Give your products a savory texture and mouthfeel with minimized cooking loss.

Dairy

Targeted Carrageenan solutions work to solve various texture and separation issues in dairy products.

Improve the mouthfeel, viscosity, and body in dry-mix puddings, cream caramels, and powdered
Stabilize coffee and ready-to-drink, neutral pH beverages while adding viscosity and a creamy mouthfeel.
Create condensed milk with superior texture and indulgent mouthfeel.
Boost flavor release, texture, and creaminess of custards and puddings while controlling syneresis.
Prevent whey separation and improve creaminess in frozen desserts.
For water jellies and fruit preparations, obtain a flavorful, shelf-stable, clear gel with a wide range of textur
Improve the flavor release, mouthfeel, firmness, and sliceability of processed cheese with unmatched melting characteristics and potential dairy solids reduction without losing texture.
Maintain complete stability of ultra-high temperature (UHT) whipping creams under refrigeration.

Personal Care

Improve the gelling ability and viscosity of toothpastes with enhanced foaming properties while keeping abrasive particles suspended ensuring consistent cleaning performance and shelf life.

IFF AVICEL® delivers the viscosity and body needed

Pet Foods

Our plant-based ingredient line brings exceptional functionalities and benefits in pet-foods and treats, improving palatability, texture, and appearance while ensuring consistent quality and optimized stability throughout shelf life. Its strong water-binding capability reduces processing complexity, helping manufacturers manage costs, and improve operation efficiency.

Transform Ideas into Market-Ready Innovations 

Bring your vision to life with IFF’s expertise in food and beverage innovation. Together, we can turn bold ideas into groundbreaking carrageenan solutions.

Carrageenan