Plant-Based Biosurfactant Market Report 2025

The plant-based biosurfactants market size has grown rapidly in recent years. It will grow from $2.66 billion in 2024 to $2.99 billion in 2025 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 12.6%. The growth during the historic period can be attributed to heightened environmental concerns and stringent regulations, increasing demand in personal care and cosmetics, rising interest in green chemistry, expansion in the food and beverage industry, and greater adoption of natural household cleaning products.

The plant-based biosurfactants market size is expected to see rapid growth in the next few years. It will grow to $4.76 billion in 2029 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 12.3%. The growth projected for the forecast period can be attributed to the expansion of bio-based products, rapid demand growth in emerging economies, increasing use in agriculture, growing adoption in the oil and gas and industrial cleaning sectors, rising consumer demand for transparency and sustainability labeling, and a shift toward circular bioeconomy models. Key trends during this period include increased demand for eco-friendly products, expansion of sustainable biosurfactants, rising consumer preference for green alternatives, advancements in formulation, and heightened research and development activities.

The rising demand for natural and organic products is expected to drive the growth of plant-based biosurfactants in the coming years. Natural and organic products are made from minimally processed ingredients derived from nature and produced without synthetic chemicals or additives. This demand is increasing as consumers become more aware of health and wellness, actively seeking cleaner, chemical-free alternatives to minimize health risks associated with synthetic ingredients. Plant-based surfactants contribute to natural and organic products by offering eco-friendly, biodegradable cleansing agents free from harsh chemicals, perfectly aligning with clean beauty and sustainable lifestyle trends. For example, in February 2023, the UK-based Organic Research Centre reported that the UK’s organic market reached a record £3.1 billion ($3.65 billion), supported by a 1.6% sales increase in 2022, with consumers spending nearly £8.5 million ($10.01 million) daily on organic products nationwide. Therefore, the growing demand for natural and organic products is driving the expansion of the plant-based biosurfactants market.

Key players in the plant-based biosurfactants market are focusing on innovations such as biodegradable biosurfactants to meet strict regulatory requirements across various sectors. Biodegradable biosurfactants are environmentally friendly agents that naturally break down into non-toxic byproducts, providing a sustainable alternative to synthetic surfactants in sensitive applications. For instance, in September 2024, Germany-based specialty chemicals company Evonik Industries AG launched TEGO Wet 570 Terra and TEGO Wet 580. These products, made entirely from natural biosurfactants via a patented fermentation process using renewable plant-based raw materials such as corn, are designed for coatings and inks. They offer excellent pigment and filler wetting, improved substrate wetting, and reduced grinding time, which boosts energy efficiency and production. Suitable for waterborne coatings and inks, they meet stringent EU Ecolabel standards, supporting sustainable and eco-friendly formulations in decorative, industrial, and printing uses.

In March 2023, France-based personal care company L’Oréal S.A. partnered with Unilever and Kao Corporation to promote sustainable beauty through biotechnology innovation. The collaboration focuses on developing and commercializing bio-based surfactants derived from plant sugars to enable eco-designed formulations and renewable ingredient sourcing. Unilever plc, based in the UK, manufactures personal and home care products, while Japan-based Kao Corporation produces plant-based biosurfactants.

Major players in the plant-based biosurfactant market are Cargill Incorporated, BASF SE, Dow Chemical Company, Evonik Industries AG, Solvay S.A., Kao Corporation, Givaudan S.A., Clariant International Ltd., Stepan Company, Croda International plc, Saraya Co. Ltd., Jeneil Biotech Inc., Kalichem S.r.l., AGAE Technologies LLC, Puracy LLC, Shaanxi Deguan Biotechnology Co. Ltd., TensioGreen LLC, Biotensidon GmbH, Locus Performance Ingredients LLC, and Ecover (UK) Limited.

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

Plant-based biosurfactants are eco-friendly, biodegradable compounds derived from renewable plant sources. They act as sustainable alternatives to synthetic surfactants by effectively reducing surface and interfacial tension between substances. Their non-toxic nature makes them ideal for a wide range of cleaning applications.

The primary types of plant-based biosurfactants include sophorolipids, rhamnolipids, methyl ester sulfonates, alkyl polyglucosides, and others. Sophorolipids are mild, biodegradable surfactants produced through yeast fermentation, commonly used in personal care, cleaning, and pharmaceutical products due to their eco-friendly and antimicrobial properties. They come in various formulations such as liquid and powder and are made from raw materials such as vegetable oils, sugars, yeast extract, and microalgae. Sophorolipids perform multiple functions including emulsification, foaming, dispersion, and solubilization, and find applications in pharmaceuticals, personal care and cosmetics, food and beverages, agriculture, and industrial cleaning.

The plant-based biosurfactant market research report is one of a series of new reports that provides plant-based biosurfactant market statistics, including the plant-based biosurfactant industry global market size, regional shares, competitors with the plant-based biosurfactant market share, detailed plant-based biosurfactant market segments, market trends, opportunities, and any further data you may need to thrive in the plant-based biosurfactant industry. This plant-based biosurfactant 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 plant-based biosurfactants market consists of sales of saponins, lecithin-based surfactants, fatty acid glucamides, and sorbitan esters. 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.

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