A sophorolipid is known as a surface-active glycolipid compound that can be synthesized by a selected number of nonpathogenic yeast species. They are potential bio-surfactants owing to their biodegradability and low eco-toxicity. Sophorolipid are commercially produced from vegetable oil and glucose by additing anon-pathogenic yeast, called Candida bombicola. The demand for sophorolipid is increasing from many end-use industries such as oil and energy, agriculture, chemical, pharmaceutical, medical and healthcare, and consumer goods; therefore, this sophorolipid market is booming rapidly.
In 2019, Europe dominated the global market for sophorolipid due to the rise in production and consumption of sophorolipid in the developed and developing economies of Europe. Economically developed countries such as Germany, the UK, and Russia witness significant growth in the implementation of technologically advanced solutions. Various industries such as chemical, pharmaceutical, polymers, agrochemicals, and cosmetics and detergents are growing in the region, which is bolstering the growth of the sophorolipid market in the region. The market of sophorolipid in Europe is growing due to its 100% biodegradability properties. The European Union (EU) has an established market for biosurfactants that would meet almost half of the total global demand. This trend is anticipated to drive the sophorolipid market in Europe during the forecast period.
The COVID-19 outbreak was first reported in Wuhan, China, in December 2019. As of November 2020, US, Brazil, India, Russia, South Africa, Mexico, and the UK are among the worst affected countries in terms of COVID-19 confirmed cases and reported deaths. Lockdowns, travel bans, and business shutdowns are adversely affecting the economies and industries in various countries. The chemicals and material industry is one of the major industries that are facing serious disruptions due to office and factory shutdown and supply chain breaks.
The growth of the global sophorolipid market is driven by the rising importance of bio-based chemicals for reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Sophorolipid is mainly derived from natural sources and is an alternative to petrochemical products such as detergents and pesticides. Sophorolipids are commercially manufactured from vegetable oil and glucose by adding a nonpathogenic yeast, Candida bombicola. Sophorolipids are surfactants prepared by the fermentation of nonpathogenic yeast species. These mainly combine green chemistry with a low carbon footprint and thus meet certain important eco-friendly criteria. Sophorolipid demonstrate synergistic effects along with other secondary surfactants in foaming and cleaning applications. Numerous other properties—such as temperatures, stability in wide ranges of pH and salinity, easy biodegradability, ability to be active in hard water, and adequate surface activity—possessed by sophorolipid demonstrate them superior to synthetic surfactants. Sophorolipids are generally available in two forms—lactonic and acidic. Lactonic forms exhibit better biocidal, cytotoxic, and pro-inflammatory activities and are also good anticancer agents. Acidic forms, on the other hand, are better foaming agents along with higher water solubility. Also, it is used in various applications in the food, cosmetics, and bioremediation industries. All these factors collectively drive the growth of the sophorolipid market.
Based on type, the sophorolipid market is bifurcated into acidic sophorolipid and lactonic sophorolipid. The acidic sophorolipid segment led the market with a higher market share in 2019. Acid sophorolipids are produced by a variety of yeast species, especially Starmerella bombicola. Acid sophorolipids are amphiphilic molecules and thus possess the characteristics of surfactants. As biosurfactants, they have various potential advantages over synthetic surfactants such as lower toxicity, higher biodegradability, and low-cost manufacturing capacity. Acidic forms are stronger foaming agents with higher water solubility and are used in the dairy, cosmetics, and bioremediation industries, which drive the growth of the market for acidic sophorolipid segment.
Based on application, the sophorolipid market is segmented into household detergents, personal care, food processing, Industrial and Institutional Cleaners, oilfield chemicals, and others. The household detergents segment led the market with the highest share in 2019. Sophorolipids are effective in hard surface cleaning and automated dishwashing aid formulations due to their low foaming profile combined with their surface activity properties, which are of potential interest in additional applications. Sophorolipids also has an outstanding environmental profile with excellent efficiency; which makes, it suitable for household applications. This factor increases the sales of sophorolipid products through household detergents.
A few of the key players operating in the sophorolipid market are Allied Carbon Solutions Co., Ltd; Givaudan; Evonik Industries AG; Holiferm; Saraya Co., Ltd; and Mg Intobio Co., Ltd. Major market players are focusing on strategies such as mergers & acquisitions and product launches to expand their business and consumer base globally. For instance, in January 2018, Actera Ingredients announced itself as a distributor for Allied Carbon Solution’s ACS-Sophor (INCI: Candida Bombicola/Madhuca Longifolia Seed Oil Ferment Extract) products for the cosmetics and household industry in North America.
The regional trends and factors influencing the Sophorolipid Market throughout the forecast period have been thoroughly explained by the analysts at Insight Partners. This section also discusses Sophorolipid Market segments and geography across North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Middle East and Africa, and South and Central America.
| Report Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Market size in 2019 | US$ 0.37 Million |
| Market Size by 2027 | US$ 0.55 Million |
| Global CAGR (2019 - 2027) | 5.0% |
| Historical Data | 2017-2018 |
| Forecast period | 2020-2027 |
| Segments Covered |
By Type
|
| Regions and Countries Covered | North America
|
| Market leaders and key company profiles |
The Sophorolipid Market market is growing rapidly, driven by increasing end-user demand due to factors such as evolving consumer preferences, technological advancements, and greater awareness of the product's benefits. As demand rises, businesses are expanding their offerings, innovating to meet consumer needs, and capitalizing on emerging trends, which further fuels market growth.
Market players density refers to the distribution of firms or companies operating within a particular market or industry. It indicates how many competitors (market players) are present in a given market space relative to its size or total market value.
Major Companies operating in the Sophorolipid Market are:
Disclaimer: The companies listed above are not ranked in any particular order.
The List of Companies - Global Sophorolipid Market
The growth of the acidic sophorolipid segment is primarily attributed to the fact that acidic sophorolipids are amphiphilic molecules and thus possess the characteristics of surfactants; however, as bio-surfactants they have many advantages over synthetic surfactants, including low toxicity, biodegradability, and low-cost manufacturing capacity. Acidic forms are stronger foaming agents with higher water solubility and are used in the dairy, cosmetics, and bioremediation industries. Acid sophorolipid (ASL), a bola amphiphilic substance, confers a surfactant to a crude sophorolipid. The two hydrophilic ends of the oleic acid hydrophobic skeleton contain sophorose and a carboxylic group. This makes ASL an outstanding drug delivery vehicle comparable to other bola amphiphiles. ASL is a simple, water-soluble, mono-component, and stimulus-responsive molecule. All these factors are responsible for the acidic sophorolipid segment to grow at the highest rate.
The major players operating in the global sophorolipid market are Allied Carbon Solutions Co., Ltd, Givaudan, Evonik Industries AG, Holiferm, Saraya Co., Ltd, and Mg Intobio Co., Ltd among many others.
In 2018, the sophorolipid market was predominant in Europe at the global level. Surge in demand in the diverse fields of oil& gas, medicine & pharmaceuticals, cosmetics & detergents, agriculture, food industry, and others has had a noteworthy influence on the sophorolipid market in Europe. The market for sophorolipid in Europe is witnessing growth owing to the presence of well-established players such as Evonik Industries AG, Holiferm, Saraya Co., Ltd, and others in this region. Economically strong countries like Germany, UK, and Russia have witnessed significant growth in the implementation of technologically advanced solutions. Other than the chemical industry, the other industries flourishing in the region are pharmaceutical, polymers, agrochemicals, cosmetics and detergents, and others, which bolstering the growth of sophorolipid in the region. Europe is a great market for sophorolipid due to its 100% biodegradability properties. The European Union has an established market for bio-surfactants, which would account for almost half of total global demand. Moreover, increasing demand for sophorolipid in various industries such as chemical processing, oil, pharmaceutical, and cleaning are influencing the sophorolipid market in Europe. The European Commission in January 2014, launched the Horizon 2020 strategy, aiming to develop a sustainable bio-economy in Europe by 2020. This is expected to increase the consumption and production of bio-based products and is expected to have a favorable impact on the sophorolipid market. The market for sophorolipid is picking up pace in this region, owing to the development of new manufacturing industries together with the government support to increase the industrial production.