"Thickener" redirects here. For a separation method see gravity separation.

Thickening agents, or thickeners, is the term applied to substances which increase the viscosity of a solution or liquid/solid mixture without substantially modifying its other properties; although most frequently applied to foods where the target property is taste, the term also is applicable to paints, inks, explosives, etc. Thickeners may also improve the suspension of other ingredients or emulsions which increases the stability of the product. Thickening agents are often regulated as food additives and as cosmetics and personal hygiene product ingredients. Some thickening agents are gelling agents, forming a gel, dissolving in the liquid phase as a colloid mixture that forms a weakly cohesive internal structure. Others act as mechanical thixotropic additives with discrete particles adhering or interlocking to resist strain.

Verdickungsmittel (auch Dickungsmittel oder Bindemittel) werden – in der Regel wässrigen – Lösungen zugesetzt, um ihre Viskosität zu erhöhen.

La fécule est une matière amylacée et pulvérulente, extraite de divers organes végétaux, comme les tubercules, les rhizomes, les graines.

Sakeuttamisaine on elintarvikkeiden lisäaine, jonka tarkoitus on tehdä ohut nestemäinen tuote sakeammaksi. Sakeuttamisaineet ovat tavallisesti jauhoja ja tärkkelyksiä. Ne merkitään tuoteselosteisiin yleensä E-koodeilla.