Tannin, an astringent biomolecule is extracted from plants and fruits. It is found in various parts of plants including, barks, seeds, stem tissues, roots, and leaves. Plants have tannin content in abundance, which protects them from predation and also helps for their growth regulation. Fruits with rich tannin content include cranberries, blueberries, strawberries, hazelnuts, pecans, walnuts, grapes, and oranges.
Areca nut is the fruit produced from the palm trees of South East Asia. Although, the production of areca nut is dependent on the geographic and climatic conditions of the region. Thus, the price fluctuations are majorly dependent on the production of the areca nut. The areca nuts are consumed not only for chewing with betel leaf, but also for various rituals in South East Asia Pacific countries. India is the largest consumer and producer of areca nut in the world. As high consumption of areca nut causes severe health problems, the market for areca nut has attained maturity in the global market.
Arecanut (Areca catechu L.), being a highly profitable commercial plantation crop. Tannins is obtained as a by-product from the process of preparing immature betel nuts for masticatory purposes. The sediments found in the tannin when it is dried, is called arecanut dust. Tannins in areca nut were being used for dyeing clothes and roaps and also used for tanning leather. It can be used as an adhesive in plyboard manufacture. Another possible use of areca tannins is as a safe food coloring agent. Black writing ink of acceptable quality may be prepared. Further, it is also useful in protecting house hold furniture.
India is the major producer and consumer of arecanut in the world. Production is concentrated in six states, namely Karnataka, Kerala, Assam, Meghalaya, Tamil Nadu and West Bengal. Areca nut is the major plantation crop of coastal and southern districts of the country under assured irrigation facility
Globally it is primarily grown in India, Bangladesh, China, Indonesia and Myanmar. India leads the production followed by China and Bangladesh. In India it is grown in Karnataka, Kerala, Assam, Maharashtra, West Bengal and parts of Tripura.
The global tannin market is expected to grow significantly during the forecast period. The increasing demand from the various end-use industries such as leather, wine, and wood adhesives is the major driving factor for the growth of tannins market. The anti-oxidation and decomposition properties of tannins are a major factor for the demand of tannins in the leather manufacturing and wine fermenting industries. The increasing consumption of alcohol is expected to boost the growth of tannin market. Moreover, the demand for tannin in the manufacturing of wood adhesives and medicines is expected to drive the growth of tannin market positively over the forecast period.
The global tannin market size was estimated at 1,076.3 Kilotons in 2015. Increasing demand from the leather manufacturing and wine making industry is expected to be a key factor driving market growth.
