Sophorolipids Global Market Report 2026

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.

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 affected the sophorolipids market by increasing costs of imported fermentation equipment, processing enzymes, and packaging materials. Personal care and household cleaning segments are most impacted, particularly in Europe and Asia Pacific. Higher production costs have influenced pricing competitiveness against synthetic surfactants. Supply chain delays have also affected scaling of new facilities. On the positive side, tariffs have promoted domestic fermentation infrastructure and localized biosurfactant production.

The sophorolipids market research report is one of a series of new reports from The Business Research Company that provides sophorolipids market statistics, including sophorolipids industry global market size, regional shares, competitors with a 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 scenario of the industry.

The sophorolipids market size has grown exponentially in recent years. It will grow from $5.64 billion in 2025 to $6.83 billion in 2026 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 21.1%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to biosurfactant research growth, cosmetic industry demand, green chemistry adoption, fermentation technology development, regulatory pressure on chemicals.

The sophorolipids market size is expected to see exponential growth in the next few years. It will grow to $14.54 billion in 2030 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 20.8%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to sustainable product demand, biotechnology scale up, clean label formulations, bio based detergent growth, environmental regulations. Major trends in the forecast period include growing adoption of bio based surfactants, rising use in personal care formulations, expansion of eco friendly cleaning products, increased application in pharmaceutical formulations, focus on low toxicity and biodegradability.

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 December 2024, Indorama Ventures Public Company Limited, a Thailand-based chemicals and feed ingredients company, formed a partnership with Holiferm GmbH to expand sustainable amino acid production in South America. Through this collaboration, Indorama and Holiferm aim to increase local production of feed-grade amino acids by combining Holiferm's fermentation expertise with Indorama's regional manufacturing and distribution capabilities, supporting sustainable and cost-effective animal nutrition solutions. Holiferm GmbH is a Germany-based fermentation technology company specializing in the production of amino acids and fermentation-based solutions for the agriculture and feed sectors.

Major companies operating in the sophorolipids market are Holiferm, Locus Ingredients, Jeneil Biotech, Inc., Saraya Co., Ltd., Biotensidon GmbH, MG Intobio Co., Ltd., Wheatoleo SAS, BioReNuva Inc., BRAIN AG, Evonik Industries AG, Clariant AG, BASF SE, Dow Inc., Shaanxi Deguan Biotechnology Co., Ltd., Shandong Qilu Biotechnology Group Co., Ltd., Shandong Bailong Chuangyuan Bio-Tec Co., Ltd., Daqing WOTFO Bio-Products Co., Ltd., Mark Nature Biotechnology Co., Ltd., TensioGreen GmbH, Ecover SA

North America was the largest region in the sophorolipids market in 2025. Asia-Pacific is expected to be the fastest-growing region in the forecast period. The regions covered in the sophorolipids market report are Asia-Pacific, South East Asia, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East, Africa

The countries covered in the sophorolipids market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Taiwan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Canada, Italy, Spain

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 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.

Sophorolipids 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 sophorolipids 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.

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Where is the largest and fastest growing market for sophorolipids ? 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 sophorolipids 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.

• The market characteristics section of the report defines and explains the market. This section also examines key products and services offered in the market, evaluates brand-level differentiation, compares product features, and highlights major innovation and product development trends.
• The supply chain analysis section provides an overview of the entire value chain, including key raw materials, resources, and supplier analysis. It also provides a list competitor at each level of the supply chain.
• The updated trends and strategies section analyses the shape of the market as it evolves and highlights emerging technology trends such as digital transformation, automation, sustainability initiatives, and AI-driven innovation. It suggests how companies can leverage these advancements to strengthen their market position and achieve competitive differentiation.
• The regulatory and investment landscape section provides an overview of the key regulatory frameworks, regularity bodies, associations, and government policies influencing the market. It also examines major investment flows, incentives, and funding trends shaping industry growth and innovation.
• The market size section gives the market size ($b) covering both the historic growth of the market, and forecasting its development.
• The forecasts are made after considering the major factors currently impacting the market. These include the technological advancements such as AI and automation, Russia-Ukraine war, trade tariffs (government-imposed import/export duties), elevated inflation and interest rates.
• The total addressable market (TAM) analysis section defines and estimates the market potential compares it with the current market size, and provides strategic insights and growth opportunities based on this evaluation.
• The market attractiveness scoring section evaluates the market based on a quantitative scoring framework that considers growth potential, competitive dynamics, strategic fit, and risk profile. It also provides interpretive insights and strategic implications for decision-makers.
• Market segmentations break down the market into sub markets.
• The regional and country breakdowns section gives an analysis of the market in each geography and the size of the market by geography and compares their historic and forecast growth.
• Expanded geographical coverage includes Taiwan and Southeast Asia, reflecting recent supply chain realignments and manufacturing shifts in the region. This section analyzes how these markets are becoming increasingly important hubs in the global value chain.
• The competitive landscape chapter gives a description of the competitive nature of the market, market shares, and a description of the leading companies. Key financial deals which have shaped the market in recent years are identified.
• The company scoring matrix section evaluates and ranks leading companies based on a multi-parameter framework that includes market share or revenues, product innovation, and brand recognition.

Scope

• Markets Covered:1) By Product Type: Non-Acidic Sophorolipids; Acidic Sophorolipids; Other Product Types
• 2) By Functionality: Surfactants; Emulsifiers; Foaming Agents; Skin Conditioning Agents; Other Functionalities
• 3) By Distribution Channel: Direct Sales; Online Retail; Specialty Stores; Other Distribution Channels
• 4) By Application: Personal Care Products; Household Cleaning Products; Industrial Applications; Pharmaceuticals And Biotechnology; Other Applications
• 5) By End User: Cosmetics Manufacturers; Pharmaceutical Companies; Other End Users
• Subsegments:
• 1) By Non-Acidic Sophorolipids: Lactonic Sophorolipids; Partially Lactonized Sophorolipids; Enzyme-Modified Non-Acidic Forms
• 2) By Acidic Sophorolipids: Mono-acidic Sophorolipids; Di-acidic Sophorolipids; Salt Forms Of Acidic Sophorolipids
• 3) By Other Product Type: Sophorolipid Blends Or Complexes; Custom-Engineered Sophorolipids; Functionalized Sophorolipids
• Companies Mentioned: Holiferm; Locus Ingredients; Jeneil Biotech, Inc.; Saraya Co., Ltd.; Biotensidon GmbH; MG Intobio Co., Ltd.; Wheatoleo SAS; BioReNuva Inc.; BRAIN AG; Evonik Industries AG; Clariant AG; BASF SE; Dow Inc.; Shaanxi Deguan Biotechnology Co., Ltd.; Shandong Qilu Biotechnology Group Co., Ltd.; Shandong Bailong Chuangyuan Bio-Tec Co., Ltd.; Daqing WOTFO Bio-Products Co., Ltd.; Mark Nature Biotechnology Co., Ltd.; TensioGreen GmbH; Ecover SA
• Countries: Australia; Brazil; China; France; Germany; India; Indonesia; Japan; Taiwan; Russia; South Korea; UK; USA; Canada; Italy; Spain
• Regions: Asia-Pacific; South East Asia; Western Europe; Eastern Europe; North America; South America; Middle East; Africa
• Time Series: Five years historic and ten years forecast.
• Data: Ratios of market size and growth to related markets, GDP proportions, expenditure per capita,
• Data Segmentations: country and regional historic and forecast data, market share of competitors, market segments.
• Sourcing and Referencing: Data and analysis throughout the report is sourced using end notes.
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