Bioremediation Technology and Services Market Research Report and Outlook by 2028

The global market for bioremediation technology and services is anticipated to grow significantly, reaching an estimated US$ 11.90 billion by 2028, up from US$ 20.95 billion in 2021. This growth trajectory indicates a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.4% from 2021 to 2028. The primary drivers of this market expansion include stringent government regulations and increased funding directed towards research and development in bioremediation across the globe.

In the United States, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) plays a crucial role as the federal body responsible for enforcing environmental regulations. Similar agencies exist in many countries, tasked with the implementation of laws aimed at protecting the environment and public health. Various governments are actively investing in bioremediation research initiatives. A notable example is the EiCLaR project, which commenced in January 2021. This collaborative effort between the EU and China, involving 13 European and 5 Chinese partners, has a budget of US$ 7.48 million. Over the next four years, EiCLaR aims to innovate scientific and technical solutions for in situ bioremediation technologies, which will be integrated into industrial processes to efficiently and cost-effectively treat pollutants such as chlorinated solvents, heavy metals, and pesticides.

Moreover, a partnership program that fosters collaboration among academia, industry, government, and other stakeholders received US$ 1.2 million in funding for UBC Science researchers in May 2019. The Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) awarded grants to five UBC projects, including those focused on green chemistry and microbial bioremediation. These successful funding applications have encouraged both private and public sector investments in bioremediation technology advancements.

In the United States, the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences supports the Superfund Research Program, which promotes innovative bioremediation technologies for hazardous waste management. Additionally, the Department of Energy (DOE) has backed research through its Biological and Environmental Research program. Internationally, public institutions in countries like India and China are also contributing to bioremediation research. This financial support has enabled scientists to develop genetically modified microorganisms (GMMs) with diverse applications in bioremediation.

The DOE's Office of Health and Environmental Research has sponsored workshops to advance its foundational scientific program known as Natural and Accelerated Bioremediation Research (NABIR). This initiative aims to enhance the understanding of natural processes for bioremediation and to develop methods that expedite these processes for cleaning contaminated sediments, soils, and groundwater at DOE facilities. NABIR specifically targets the bioremediation of complex mixtures of contaminants, focusing on metals, radionuclides, solvents, and explosives such as TNT, HMX, and RDX. It is the only federal program dedicated to funding fundamental research on environmental contamination by metals and radionuclides, leveraging interdisciplinary expertise to address complex challenges in bioremediation.

Additionally, the Agriculture-Based Remediation Program is funding a project led by the University of Hawaii, aimed at enhancing local bioremediation capabilities and fostering a bioremediation sector that can serve Hawaii and the broader Asia Pacific region. This initiative is supported by the United States Department of Agriculture's Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service (USDA-CSREES), the United States Army Environmental Center (USAEC), and the United States Army Corps of Engineers Waterways Experiment Station (USACE-WES). The project seeks to improve public awareness of agriculture-based bioremediation technologies.

As a result of ongoing government funding for research and development in bioremediation, the market for bioremediation technology and services is expected to experience robust growth.

Type-Based Insights

The global bioremediation technology and services market is categorized into two main types: in situ bioremediation and ex situ bioremediation. In 2021, the in situ bioremediation segment dominated the market and is projected to exhibit a higher CAGR during the forecast period from 2021 to 2028. The advantages of in situ bioremediation, along with numerous projects initiated through collaborations between private and governmental organizations, are anticipated to drive the growth of this segment.

Technology-Based Insights

From a technological perspective, the bioremediation market is divided into several categories, including phytoremediation, bio stimulation, bioaugmentation, bioreactors, fungal remediation, and land-based treatments. The phytoremediation segment held the largest market share in 2021, while fungal remediation is expected to gain significant market traction in the coming years.

Service-Based Insights

In terms of services, the bioremediation technology and services market is segmented into soil remediation, wastewater remediation, oilfield remediation, and others. The soil remediation segment was the largest in 2021, but the oilfield remediation segment is projected to capture a substantial market share during the forecast period.

Key sources referenced in the preparation of this report on the global bioremediation technology and services market include the Federal Ministry of Research and Technology (BMFT), the UK Environment Agency, the World Health Organization (WHO), the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), and various academic journals such as the Journal of Bioremediation & Biodegradation.