PUBLISHER: The Business Research Company | PRODUCT CODE: 1927109
PUBLISHER: The Business Research Company | PRODUCT CODE: 1927109
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.
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.
Tariffs have impacted the plant-based biosurfactant market by increasing costs of imported vegetable oils, sugars, and processing equipment. Personal care, food, and industrial cleaning segments are most affected, particularly in europe and asia pacific. Higher tariffs have influenced production economics and pricing of bio surfactants. However, tariffs are encouraging domestic sourcing of agricultural feedstocks and local biosurfactant manufacturing facilities.
The plant-based biosurfactant market research report is one of a series of new reports from The Business Research Company that provides plant-based biosurfactant market statistics, including plant-based biosurfactant industry global market size, regional shares, competitors with a plant-based biosurfactant market share, detailed plant-based biosurfactant market segments, market trends and 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 scenario of the industry.
The plant-based biosurfactant market size has grown rapidly in recent years. It will grow from $2.99 billion in 2025 to $3.37 billion in 2026 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 12.5%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to environmental awareness growth, demand for non toxic cleaners, early adoption of bio surfactants, regulatory pressure on chemicals, renewable raw material availability.
The plant-based biosurfactant market size is expected to see rapid growth in the next few years. It will grow to $5.33 billion in 2030 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 12.2%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to stringent environmental regulations, growth of sustainable packaging, expansion of bio based chemicals, innovation in fermentation processes, rising consumer preference for green products. Major trends in the forecast period include rising adoption of eco friendly surfactants, growing demand in green cleaning products, expansion of plant based formulations, increased use in personal care applications, focus on biodegradable cleaning solutions.
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 sourced from nature, without synthetic chemicals or additives. This demand is increasing as consumers become more health- and wellness-conscious, actively seeking cleaner, chemical-free alternatives to minimize health risks associated with synthetic ingredients. Plant-based surfactants support natural and organic products by providing biodegradable, eco-friendly cleansing power without harsh chemicals, aligning with clean beauty trends and sustainable lifestyles. For instance, in February 2025, according to a report by FiBL, a Switzerland-based research institute, retail sales of organic products in Europe reached €54.7 billion ($59.1 billion) in 2023, with €46.5 billion ($51.15 billion) within the European Union, reflecting a 3.0% increase over the previous year. Therefore, the growing demand for natural and organic products is fueling the growth 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'Oreal 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 companies operating 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, Ecover (UK) Limited
North America was the largest region in the plant-based biosurfactants market in 2025. Asia-Pacific is expected to be the fastest-growing region in the forecast period. The regions covered in the plant-based biosurfactant market report are Asia-Pacific, South East Asia, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East, Africa
The countries covered in the plant-based biosurfactant market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Taiwan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Canada, Italy, Spain
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.
Plant-Based Biosurfactant Market Global Report 2026 from The Business Research Company provides strategists, marketers and senior management with the critical information they need to assess the market.
This report focuses plant-based biosurfactant market which is experiencing strong growth. The report gives a guide to the trends which will be shaping the market over the next ten years and beyond.
Where is the largest and fastest growing market for plant-based biosurfactant ? How does the market relate to the overall economy, demography and other similar markets? What forces will shape the market going forward, including technological disruption, regulatory shifts, and changing consumer preferences? The plant-based biosurfactant market global report from the Business Research Company answers all these questions and many more.
The report covers market characteristics, size and growth, segmentation, regional and country breakdowns, total addressable market (TAM), market attractiveness score (MAS), competitive landscape, market shares, company scoring matrix, trends and strategies for this market. It traces the market's historic and forecast market growth by geography.
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