Identifiers
Functions
Sodium alginate is classified under HS Code 3913.10. This falls under Chapter 39: Plastics and articles thereof, specifically Heading 3913 (Natural polymers (e.g. alginic acid) and modified natural polymers (e.g. hardened proteins, chemical derivatives of natural rubber), n.e.c. or included, in primary forms), under subheading: Polymers, natural; alginic acid, its salts and esters, in primary forms.
* The data below is specific to the HS code, not the ingredient.
Suppliers
96
Across 26 countries
Shipments
1,200
from 2016 to 2026
Total weight
15.2M kg
1,367 TEU · standard 20-foot container units
Last shipment
6 months ago
Last updated at Feb 25, 2026
Growth
↑ 37%
Trade under 3913.10 has increased by 37% over the past 6 months
Trade activity under HS 3913.10 shows a substantial supply chain for alginic acid and its salts, with 96 suppliers, 1,200 shipments, and over 15 million kg moved between 2016 and 2026. The growth score of 37.1 over the recent 180 days indicates moderate expansion. However, this data is not ingredient-specific to sodium alginate; it includes other natural polymers. For formulation planning, this suggests a mature but broad market, and you should verify that potential suppliers actually produce sodium alginate rather than other alginates or gums.
HS code 3913.10 covers 'Alginic acid, its salts and esters' in primary forms, under the broader heading of natural polymers. This classification includes sodium alginate but also other alginates, alginic acid, and potentially other natural polymers like gum arabic or carrageenan. The scope is broad, and trade data under this code cannot isolate sodium alginate specifically. For regulatory or sourcing decisions, treat this as a category-level signal, not a product-specific confirmation. Further verification of product composition is required.
| Supplier | Shipments | Top customer | Growth | Last shipment | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
No suppliers found. | |||||
The supplier landscape appears moderately concentrated, with a few large players dominating shipment counts. FMC Biopolymer (292 shipments), Kimica (172), and DuPont Nutrition Manufacturing (150) lead, followed by Alginatos Chile (110) and IFF N&H Norway (74). These top five account for over 60% of total shipments. However, the list also includes many smaller suppliers and logistics providers, indicating a mix of dedicated alginate manufacturers and broader traders. This suggests a market where a handful of established producers hold significant share, but alternatives exist.
Key supply risks include reliance on a few large suppliers, potential for non-ingredient-specific trade activity, and the need to verify actual product composition. The top suppliers (FMC, Kimica, DuPont) have high shipment volumes but may not all be current or sodium alginate-specific. Also, some suppliers are logistics providers, not manufacturers. Further diligence should confirm each supplier's product line, manufacturing capability, and recent shipment activity, as some top suppliers show no recent shipments (e.g., FMC last in 2019).
The most relevant sourcing geographies are the UK (5 suppliers, 446 shipments), Japan (7 suppliers, 201 shipments), and Chile (9 suppliers, 168 shipments), together accounting for the majority of shipment volume. France, the Netherlands, and China also show notable activity. Trade lanes appear to connect these suppliers to customers in the Americas, including the US and Mexico, based on top customer names. This suggests a global supply chain with strong European and Asian origins, plus a significant South American source in Chile.
By shipment count
United Kingdom
446 shipments
5 suppliers
6.1M kg total weight
Japan
201 shipments
7 suppliers
2.6M kg total weight
Chile
168 shipments
9 suppliers
1.8M kg total weight
France
103 shipments
11 suppliers
859.5K kg total weight
Netherlands
85 shipments
3 suppliers
550.6K kg total weight
China
70 shipments
13 suppliers
1M kg total weight
South Africa
31 shipments
3 suppliers
296.5K kg total weight
Bahamas
17 shipments
2 suppliers
511.2K kg total weight
Spain
16 shipments
5 suppliers
636.2K kg total weight
Germany
11 shipments
7 suppliers
72.3K kg total weight