Arginine, which is also known as L-arginine, is an essential amino acid for humans. Arginine is present in all protein-containing foods such as grains, beans, nuts, meat, dairy products, and eggs, and it is also synthesized in the body from glutamine via citrulline amino acid. Arginine plays an important role in cell division, wound healing, removal of ammonia from the body, boosting immune function, and in the release of hormones.

Arginine Market: Drivers

Increasing researches on arginine as an adjuvant for the treatment of various diseases is expected to drive growth of the arginine market. For instance, an article published in PLOS One journal in May 2015 suggested that arginine might alter multi-species oral biofilm development and may also break down dental plaque, which could help millions of people in preventing dental decay and gum diseases.

Furthermore, new product development is expected to fuel growth of the arginine market. For instance, in October 2018, Nutrition 21, LLC announced that its clinically substantiated ingredient, Nitrosigine, is now included in Elite Gold NX6 product. Elite Gold NX6 is a polymer of arginine silicate, which is stabilized by inositol. Therefore, the development of Elite Gold NX6 with nitrosigine ingredient will help in boosting nitric oxide levels, which is found to be a key factor in generating greater blood flow and vasodilation in working muscles.

Arginine Market: Restraint

Product recalls for arginine drug packaging is expected to hamper growth of the arginine market. For instance, in November 2017, Therapeutics Goods Administration (TGA) of Australia recalled Apotex Inc.’s Apo-Perindopril Arginine 2.5 mg, 5 mg, and 10 mg tablet batches from the market due to contamination of tablet bottles with dark particles of silica. This contamination was classified as a quality defect. Apo-Perindopril Arginine is indicated for high blood pressure, heart failure or coronary artery disease. Moreover, United Pharmacy recalled two lots of a compounded injectable glutamine/arginine/carnitine product, GAC-12 and GAC-13, in November 2017.

Arginine Market: Regional Analysis

On the basis of region, the global arginine market is segmented into North America, Latin America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Middle East, and Africa.

North America is projected to account for the largest share in the arginine market due to new product launches in the U.S. For instance, Pfanstiehl, Inc., a U.S.-based company, in September 2018, launched a new high-purity, low-endotoxin, and low-metal, L-Arginine, which meets the U.S. Pharmacopoeia (USP), European Pharmacopoeia (EP), Japan Pharmacopoeia (JP), and Chinese Pharmacopoeia (ChP) standards. This is the first amino acid that Pfanstiehl, Inc. launched and manufactured in the U.S. under strict current good manufacturing practice (cGMP) and International Conference on Harmonization (ICH) Q7 compliant conditions.

Asia Pacific region is also expected to witness significant growth in the arginine market, owing to expansions of key players for the production of arginine formulations. For instance, in April 2018, CJ CheilJedang, a China-based firm, announced to expand its L-Arginine and L-Citrulline production at its Jombang plant in Indonesia, which will be effective from 2019. By this expansion, the company also plans to manufacture its product, L-Citrulline (precursor of Arginine in body), simultaneously in both China and Indonesia.

Arginine Market: Competitive Landscape

Key players operating in the global arginine market include Meihua Holdings Group Co., Ltd., Ajinomoto Co., Inc., Jiahe Biological Technology Co., Ltd., Shijiazhuang Jirong Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Aminolabs, Atlantic Chemicals Trading GmbH, Glanbia Nutritionals, Wuxi Jinghai Amino Acid Co., Ltd., A & Z Food Additives Co., Ltd., Green Wave Ingredient, and Prinova Group LLC.

Arginine Market: Taxonomy

By Product Type