Sophorolipids Market Report 2025

The sophorolipids market size has grown exponentially in recent years. It will grow from $4.66 billion in 2024 to $5.64 billion in 2025 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 21.2%. The growth during the historic period can be credited to the increasing demand for eco-friendly and biodegradable surfactants, stricter environmental regulations limiting synthetic surfactant use, expansion of the cosmetics and personal care sector, growth within the food industry, and the rising application of sophorolipids in agricultural formulations.

The sophorolipids market size is expected to see exponential growth in the next few years. It will grow to $12.05 billion in 2029 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 20.9%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to increasing demand for sustainable and green surfactants, expansion of the global cosmetics and personal care markets, rising use of sophorolipids in enhanced oil recovery, growing investments in bio-based chemical production facilities, and rising consumer awareness about the benefits of biodegradable and non-toxic ingredients. Major trends in the forecast period include advanced microbial strain engineering, integration of real-time monitoring and control systems, downstream processing enhancements, advances in formulation technologies, and integration with the circular bioeconomy.

The increasing consumer demand for cosmetics and personal care products is expected to drive growth in the sophorolipids market in the coming years. Cosmetics and personal care products include substances or formulations applied to the body - such as skin, hair, or nails - for purposes like cleansing, beautifying, enhancing appearance, or maintaining hygiene and skin health. This demand is rising due to growing consumer awareness regarding hygiene and beauty. Sophorolipids contribute to cosmetics and personal care products as natural, biodegradable surfactants that improve cleansing, emulsification, and skin conditioning. For example, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, a government agency responsible for labor market data, the average annual consumer spending on personal care products and services increased from $866 thousand in 2022 to $950 thousand in 2023. Consequently, the growing demand for these products is boosting the sophorolipids market.

Leading companies in the sophorolipids market are focusing on innovative bio-based ingredients to promote sustainability, enhance product performance, and meet the increasing need for eco-friendly and biodegradable solutions across various sectors. Bio-based ingredients are naturally derived compounds produced by fermenting renewable resources, valued for their biodegradable and environmentally safe properties in a range of applications. For instance, in October 2024, Locus Ingredients, a U.S.-based biosurfactant manufacturer, expanded its Amphi biosurfactant line, now listed in the TSCA Inventory of Chemical Substances. These 100% bio-based sophorolipids, the first domestically produced glycolipid-class biosurfactants available at commercial scale, provide formulators in consumer and industrial fields - including cleaning, CASE, paints and inks, agriculture, and metalworking - with a sustainable, high-performance alternative to traditional petrochemical surfactants.

In March 2022, Sasol Chemicals, a specialty chemicals company based in South Africa, formed a strategic partnership with Holiferm Ltd. to support the development and commercialization of sustainable sophorolipid biosurfactants. The collaboration involves a significant off-take agreement and financial investment, enabling Sasol to secure a substantial share of the biosurfactants produced at Holiferm’s new commercial facility in the UK. Holiferm is a UK-based manufacturer specializing in environmentally friendly fermentation-based biosurfactant production.

Major players in the sophorolipids market are BASF SE, Dow Inc., Givaudan SA, Saraya Co. Ltd., AmphiStar NV, BOC Science, Holiferm Limited, Wheatoleo SAS, Locus Ingredients LLC, InvivoChem LLC, Biosynth AG, Allied Carbon Solutions Co. Ltd., SCS Formulate, Henan Alfa Chemical Co. Ltd., Sihauli Chemicals, Deguan Biotechnology Co. Ltd., BioReNuva Inc., Aditya Renew Tech Pvt. Ltd., Sihauli Chemicals Pvt. Ltd., and Wuhan Fortuna Chemical Co. Ltd.

North America was the largest region in the sophorolipids market in 2024. Asia-Pacific is expected to be the fastest-growing region in the forecast period. The regions covered in sophorolipids report are Asia-Pacific, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East and Africa. The countries covered in the sophorolipids market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Canada, Italy, Spain.

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 intensifying U.S. tariffs and escalating trade tensions in spring 2025 are expected to have a significant impact on the chemicals sector, which is bearing a disproportionate burden, particularly from tariffs on petrochemicals and intermediates, where affordable domestic substitutes are often unavailable. Producers of specialty chemicals, heavily dependent on Chinese raw materials, are experiencing production disruptions. At the same time, fertilizer manufacturers are seeing profit margins eroded due to tariffs on phosphate imports. In response, companies are ramping up R&D into bio-based alternatives, forming procurement alliances to consolidate buying power, and shifting production to tariff-neutral nations such as Saudi Arabia.

Sophorolipids are biodegradable and non-toxic biosurfactants produced by specific yeast species through the fermentation of sugars and oils. They consist of a sophorose sugar molecule attached to a fatty acid and exist in either lactonic or acidic forms. Known for their surface-active properties, sophorolipids find applications in cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, and environmental fields.

The primary types of sophorolipids include non-acidic sophorolipids, acidic sophorolipids, sophorolipid surfactants, and other variants. Non-acidic sophorolipids, mostly lactonic forms, are closed-ring structures with strong antimicrobial activity and low water solubility, making them ideal for use as preservatives and surface-active agents. They serve multiple roles such as surfactants, emulsifiers, foaming agents, and skin conditioning agents. Distribution channels include direct sales, online retail, specialty stores, supermarkets or hypermarkets, and other outlets. Their applications cover personal care products, food and beverage, household cleaning, industrial uses, pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, and more. Key end users consist of cosmetics manufacturers, food processors, pharmaceutical companies, agricultural enterprises, among others.

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

The sophorolipids market consists of sales of liquid sophorolipids, acidic sophorolipids, and powdered sophorolipids. 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 and 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.

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