Cellulase Global Market Report 2025

The cellulase market size has grown strongly in recent years. It will grow from $2.12 billion in 2024 to $2.29 billion in 2025 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.8%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to demand for the pharmaceutical industry, growth in the construction industry, increasing demand for biofuels, increasing demand for animal feed production, and rising production of wheat and other grains.

The cellulase market size is expected to see strong growth in the next few years. It will grow to $3.11 billion in 2029 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to increasing demand for food and beverage processing, expansion of the paper industry, growing demand for high-value fabrics, increasing use of cellulase in winemaking, and growing demand for the textile industry. Major trends in the forecast period include advancements in genetic engineering, advances in industrial biotechnology, innovations in textile processing, integration with digital technologies, innovations in enzyme production technologies, advancements in biotechnology, and the development of eco-friendly products.

The forecast of 8% growth over the next five years reflects a modest reduction of 0.9% from the previous estimate for this market. This reduction is primarily due to the impact of tariffs between the US and other countries. This is likely to directly affect the US by raising costs for biofuel and textile processing enzymes, primarily imported from Brazil and India. The effect will also be felt more widely due to reciprocal tariffs and the negative effect on the global economy and trade due to increased trade tensions and restrictions.

The growing demand for biofuels is expected to drive the expansion of the cellulase market in the future. Biofuels are renewable energy sources derived from organic materials, primarily plant biomass or animal waste. The rising demand for biofuels is fueled by the increasing need for sustainable energy solutions to reduce carbon emissions and reliance on fossil fuels. Cellulase plays a critical role in biofuel production by facilitating the efficient conversion of abundant, renewable cellulosic biomass into valuable transportation fuels, helping to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and dependence on fossil fuels. For example, in October 2024, the Energy Information Administration, a US government agency, reported a 7% increase in biofuel production capacity in the United States in 2023, reaching approximately 24 billion gallons per year (gal/y) by early 2024. This growth was largely driven by a significant 44% increase in renewable diesel and other biofuels. Therefore, the rising demand for biofuels is driving the growth of the cellulase market.

Key players in the cellulase market are concentrating their efforts on the development of innovative products, such as high-efficiency cellulase enzymes, to augment both efficiency and sustainability. These enzymes act as potent biological catalysts, swiftly breaking down cellulose into simpler sugars, thereby optimizing industrial processes across sectors such as textiles, paper, and biofuels. Take, for instance, Bionetix International, a Canada-based company specializing in natural biological products, which unveiled ECL3000 in May 2024, marking the debut of its new line of enzyme concentrates tailored for manufacturers and formulators. ECL3000, a high-efficiency cellulase enzyme derived from non-pathogenic fungi, targets cellulose present in everyday items such as food, clothing, and paper, offering multifaceted benefits across industries including textiles, paper, biofuels, and animal feed processing.

In September 2022, Roquette, a France-based food company, completed the acquisition of Crest Cellulose for an undisclosed sum. This strategic move enables Roquette to cater to the burgeoning global demand for premium plant-based excipients, particularly in the pharmaceutical sector. Crest Cellulose, an India-based pharmaceutical excipients company, specializes in supplying microcrystalline cellulose and sodium starch glycollate.

Cellulase, an enzyme complex, facilitates the breakdown of cellulose into glucose and smaller polysaccharides. Cellulose, a major component of plant cell walls, comprises long chains of glucose molecules linked by β-1,4-glycosidic bonds. Produced by various organisms such as bacteria, fungi, and protozoans, cellulases are vital for digesting plant material.

The primary types of cellulase enzymes are endoglucanase (EG), cellobiohydrolase (CBH), and beta-glucosidase (BG). Endoglucanase (EG) enzymes specifically target internal β-1,4-glycosidic bonds within cellulose found in plant cell walls. Derived from fungi, bacteria, actinomycetes, plants, and animals, these enzymes serve diverse purposes across sectors such as healthcare, industrial processes, food and beverages, textiles, and pulp and paper manufacturing.

Note that the outlook for this market is being affected by rapid changes in trade relations and tariffs globally. The report will be updated prior to delivery to reflect the latest status, including revised forecasts and quantified impact analysis. The report’s Recommendations and Conclusions sections will be updated to give strategies for entities dealing with the fast-moving international environment.

The escalating U.S. tariffs and rising trade tensions in spring 2025 are expected to significantly affect the chemicals sector, which is facing a disproportionate impact - particularly from tariffs on petrochemicals and intermediates, where affordable domestic alternatives are limited. Specialty chemical producers, who rely heavily on Chinese raw materials, are encountering production disruptions. Meanwhile, fertilizer manufacturers are seeing their profit margins squeezed due to tariffs on phosphate imports. In response, companies are increasing investments in R&D for bio-based alternatives, forming procurement alliances to strengthen purchasing power, and relocating production to tariff-neutral countries like Saudi Arabia.

The cellulase market research report is one of a series of new reports that provides cellulase market statistics, including the cellulase industry global market size, regional shares, competitors with the cellulase market share, detailed cellulase market segments, market trends, and opportunities, and any further data you may need to thrive in the cellulase industry. These cellulase market research reports deliver a complete perspective of everything you need, with an in-depth analysis of the current and future scenarios of the industry.

Major companies operating in the cellulase market are Archer Daniels Midland Company, BASF SE, Dow Inc., Merck KGaA, Brenntag SE, DuPont de Nemours Inc, Koninklijke DSM N.V., Kerry Group plc, Daicel Corporation, Lenzing AG, Novozymes BioAg Limited, Ashland Inc, Chr. Hansen Holding A/S, Borregaard, Kemin Industries Inc, Genencor International Inc, Amano Enzyme Inc, Codexis Inc, AB Enzymes GmbH, MP Biomedicals LLC, Biocatalysts Ltd, BIO-CAT, Worthington Biochemical Corporation, Dyadic International Inc.

North America was the largest region in the cellulase market in 2024. Asia-Pacific is expected to be the fastest-growing region in the forecast period. The regions covered in the cellulase market report are Asia-Pacific, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East, Africa.

The countries covered in the cellulase market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Canada, Italy, Spain.

The cellulase market consists of sales of glucose, oligosaccharides, cellobiose, and cellulase enzyme blends. Values in this market are ‘factory gate’ values, that is the value of goods sold by the manufacturers or creators of the goods, whether to other entities (including downstream manufacturers, wholesalers, distributors and retailers) or directly to end customers. The value of goods in this market includes related services sold by the creators of the goods.

The market value is defined as the revenues that enterprises gain from the sale of goods and/or services within the specified market and geography through sales, grants, or donations in terms of the currency (in USD, unless otherwise specified).

The revenues for a specified geography are consumption values that are revenues generated by organizations in the specified geography within the market, irrespective of where they are produced. It does not include revenues from resales along the supply chain, either further along the supply chain or as part of other products.

This product will be delivered within 1-3 business days.