The market for sophorolipids and rhamnolipids is projected to expand from US$ 334.88 million in 2022 to US$ 541.63 million by 2030, reflecting a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.2% during the period from 2022 to 2030.
Sophorolipids and rhamnolipids are classified as surface-active glycolipid compounds that can be produced by specific non-pathogenic yeast species. These compounds are recognized as promising bio-surfactants due to their biodegradability and minimal environmental toxicity. With their low toxicity and significant production capabilities, sophorolipids exhibit remarkable surface and interfacial activity. They are typically manufactured from vegetable oils and glucose through the fermentation process involving the non-pathogenic yeast Candida bombicola. On the other hand, rhamnolipids are derived from glycerol using the non-pathogenic yeast Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Both sophorolipids and rhamnolipids find extensive applications in agricultural products, including pesticides and various chemicals, as well as in household detergents, medical and healthcare products, and personal care items such as shampoos, hand wash liquids, soaps, and more.
The global sophorolipid and rhamnolipid market is categorized by application into several segments: household detergents, personal care, industrial and institutional cleaners, food processing, oilfield chemicals, leather processing, agriculture, pharmaceuticals, and others. In 2022, the household detergents segment held the largest market share. The effectiveness of sophorolipids and rhamnolipids in cleaning hard surfaces and their role in automated dishwashing formulations can be attributed to their low foaming characteristics and surface activity. These properties make them appealing for various applications, combining excellent environmental profiles with high efficiency, making them suitable for household commercial products. Detergents based on sophorolipids and rhamnolipids are both biodegradable and eco-friendly.
The Asia Pacific region is anticipated to experience the highest CAGR in the global sophorolipid and rhamnolipid market throughout the forecast period. The demand for biocompatible and environmentally friendly biosurfactants in Asia Pacific has surged, driven by their diverse applications across personal care, pharmaceuticals, agriculture, and oil recovery sectors. Growing awareness of sustainable and green technologies is likely to boost the demand for sophorolipids and rhamnolipids, as they contribute to minimizing environmental impacts. Additionally, the increasing emphasis on reducing dependence on traditional petrochemical-based surfactants has led companies in the Asia Pacific region to invest in the research, development, and production of these bio-based alternatives. Major players like Evonik and Stepan in the Asia Pacific sophorolipid and rhamnolipid market are implementing various strategies, including investments in research and development and launching new products. For instance, in January 2022, Evonik established a new facility dedicated to the production of bio-based and fully biodegradable rhamnolipids.
Key participants in the global sophorolipid and rhamnolipid market include Dow Inc., Allied Carbon Solutions Co. Ltd., Saraya Co. Ltd., Evonik Industries AG, Givaudan SA, Godrej Industries Ltd., Holiferm Ltd., Stepan Co., Deguan Biosurfactant Supplier, and Jeneil Bioproducts GmbH. These companies are committed to delivering high-quality products to meet customer needs. They also pursue strategies such as launching new products, expanding production capacities, and forming partnerships and collaborations to maintain their competitive edge in the market.
The overall size of the global sophorolipid and rhamnolipid market has been determined through a combination of primary and secondary research methods. The research process commenced with comprehensive secondary research utilizing both internal and external sources to gather qualitative and quantitative data relevant to the market. Additionally, numerous primary interviews were conducted with industry stakeholders to validate the findings and gain deeper analytical insights. Participants in this research included industry experts such as vice presidents, business development managers, market intelligence managers, and national sales managers, as well as external consultants like valuation experts, research analysts, and key opinion leaders specializing in the sophorolipid and rhamnolipid market.