The development history of the edible gum base industry in China is closely related to the rise of the gum industry. Since the gum first entered the Chinese market in the 1930s until now, the domestic enterprises have had mature production and R&D capabilities, and the industry has experienced the continuous evolution from introduction and imitation to independent innovation.
Late 1930s: Introduction and Preliminary Development
Gum was first introduced into China by foreign merchants in the late 1930s. Due to the open trading environment, Shanghai became one of the first cities to produce gum. The initial production scale was small, mainly relying on imported raw materials and technologies, but the accumulation of this period laid a foundation for the later development of China's gum industry and edible gum base industry.
1950s: Large-scale Production
Since the establishment of New China, the domestic food industry has entered the integration stage. In the 1950s, through merger and reorganization, the government promoted the large-scale production of food processing enterprises, and the gum industry gradually realized centralized management. In this period, although the technology is relatively backward, the production of gum is gradually expanded, and the market demand is also growing, which creates potential opportunities for the development of the edible gum base industry.
1980s: Technology Import and Industrial Transformation
In the 1980s: after the reform and opening up of technology introduction and industrial upgrading, foreign gum products, production technologies, and equipment successively entered the Chinese market, bringing new development opportunities for domestic enterprises. Wuxi, Jiangsu Province, has become one of the important development areas of the edible gumbase industry. Especially after the introduction of the double-screw extruder of Cacosa, Spain, the production technology of edible gum base has been improved by leaps and bounds. At this stage, the gum industry enters a period of rapid development. As the core raw material, the technical progress of edible gum base also provides a more solid guarantee for the industry.
1990s: Market Expansion and Technology Upgrade
In the 1990s, the gum market expanded rapidly in China, the product quality was greatly improved, and new varieties were constantly introduced, making gum an important category in the confectionery industry. The entry of international brands and the rise of local enterprises have aggravated market competition and promoted the overall technical upgrading of the industry. For example, the Sino-U.S. joint venture Wuxi Rife Sugar Co., Ltd. and the Spanish joint venture Panyu Sugar Co., Ltd., established in the 1990s, rapidly expanded their market share under the promotion of capital and technical advantages. At the same time, Shanghai Tianshan Food Factory, Shanghai Yimin Food Factory 6, and other established enterprises have improved their product competitiveness through equipment upgrading and technical transformation.
The boom of the gum market directly drives the development of the edible gum base industry. The domestic adhesive base manufacturers are rapidly increasing, the enterprise scale is continuously expanding, and the production technology is also increasingly mature. It is in this market environment that Nestwell and other enterprises continue to grow and gradually form their own technical advantages, making contributions to the continuous progress of the Chinese adhesive base industry.
Global Chewing Gum Base Market Overview
The global edible gum base market is dominated by a few major enterprises, which have established a strong presence in the global market through advanced technologies, patent advantages, and stable supply chains. As of 2023, the total revenue of the top five gum base producers globally accounted for 60% to 70% of the market share. Among them, Wrigley, as the industry leader, held approximately 30% of the market share.
Wrigley's success is attributed to its long-term technological accumulation and patent advantages. For instance, its "dual-taste gum base" technology enables products to have a 15% superior chewability and flavor persistence compared to industry averages. Besides Wrigley, companies like Cafosa, Gumbase, and Arcor Group also hold significant market shares in the global market, each developing unique competitiveness in formula research, market coverage, and product innovation.
From a regional perspective, the United States, Europe, and Japan have long been the technological and market leaders in the gum base industry, with mature production systems and strong brand influence. China has recently emerged as an important producer in the global gum base industry, with its rapid development of gum base and candy industries, making it increasingly important in the global supply chain.
As one of the largest candy producers and consumers in the world, the candy industry in China has become an important part of the snack food sector, directly driving the development of the domestic gum base market. China's candy manufacturers are mainly concentrated in Fujian, Guangdong, Hubei, Shanghai, and Sichuan, with the production volumes of Fujian and Guangdong ranking among the top in the country. In 2021, the candy production in Fujian reached 903,000 tons, in Guangdong 662,000 tons, and in Hubei, Shanghai, and Sichuan 326,000 tons, 203,000 tons, and 179,000 tons, respectively.
Nicewell has grown and thrived in such a market environment. With over 30 years of industry experience, the company has established certain technological advantages in the edible gum base production field and has occupied a certain share in both domestic and international markets. As global demand for high-quality and environmentally friendly gum bases increases, Nicewell faces new development opportunities while also needing to continuously strengthen brand building, technological innovation, and market expansion to enhance its international competitiveness.
Author: Wuxi Gum Base
Publication Date: 9/11/2025
