Single Cell Oil Global Market Report 2026

Single-cell oil refers to edible oils produced by microorganisms such as algae, yeast, and fungi. These oils are highly desirable for biodiesel production due to their rapid production rates, minimal labor requirements, independence from seasonal and climatic fluctuations, and ease of scale-up for industrial processing.

The primary types of microorganisms used for single-cell oil production include bacteria, yeast, microalgae, and fungi. Bacteria, as single-celled microorganisms found in diverse environments such as soil and water, offer versatility and are categorized into different grades, including fuel oils, feed oils, and food oils. Single-cell oils derived from bacteria are processed from various raw materials such as sugarcane mills and agro-industrial wastes. They find applications in various sectors, serving as bio-fuel feedstock, substitutes for fish oil, functional oils, ingredients in animal feed, components of infant formula, and inputs for pharmaceutical products and aquaculture. The flexibility and multiple applications of single-cell oils make them a valuable and sustainable resource in various industries.

Tariffs have influenced the single cell oil market by increasing the cost of imported fermentation equipment, bioreactors, and processing technologies used in large scale SCO production. These impacts have affected food grade and fuel grade SCO production, particularly in Asia Pacific and Europe where cross border equipment sourcing is common. Higher tariffs have increased capital expenditure and slowed facility expansion plans. At the same time, tariffs have encouraged domestic manufacturing of bioprocessing equipment and local sourcing of raw materials, supporting regional production ecosystems.

The single cell oil market research report is one of a series of new reports from The Business Research Company that provides single cell oil market statistics, including single cell oil industry global market size, regional shares, competitors with a single cell oil market share, detailed single cell oil market segments, market trends and opportunities, and any further data you may need to thrive in the single cell oil industry. This single cell oil 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 single cell oil market size has grown exponentially in recent years. It will grow from $156.62 billion in 2025 to $200.63 billion in 2026 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 28.1%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to rising demand for alternative oil sources, early adoption of microbial fermentation, limitations of conventional vegetable oils, growth of aquaculture industry, initial biodiesel research investments.

The single cell oil market size is expected to see exponential growth in the next few years. It will grow to $559.94 billion in 2030 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 29.3%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to increasing demand for sustainable biofuels, advancements in microbial strain engineering, rising demand for infant nutrition ingredients, utilization of agro industrial waste as feedstock, scaling up of industrial fermentation facilities. Major trends in the forecast period include increasing use of microalgae based oils, rising adoption of single cell oils for biodiesel, growing use of sco as fish oil substitute, expansion of fermentation based oil production, rising demand for functional and nutritional oils.

The rising demand for sustainable and renewable energy is expected to drive the growth of the single-cell oil market in the coming years. Sustainable and renewable energy refers to energy sourced from naturally replenished resources that have minimal negative environmental impact. This demand is increasing as climate change concerns push governments and industries to reduce reliance on carbon-intensive fossil fuels and shift toward cleaner energy alternatives. The single-cell oil market contributes to these goals by providing a low-carbon, biologically derived feedstock that can be converted into biofuels, decreasing dependence on conventional petroleum sources. For example, in April 2025, the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), a UAE-based intergovernmental organization, reported that global renewable power capacity grew by 585 GW in 2024-a record annual growth rate of 15.1%, exceeding the 14.3% growth rate recorded in 2023. Consequently, the increasing demand for sustainable and renewable energy is fueling the single-cell oil market.

The increasing number of individuals adopting vegetarian diets is anticipated to boost the growth of the single-cell oil market in the future. A vegetarian diet involves eliminating meat and fish from one's meals, focusing instead on plant-based foods like vegetables, fruits, grains, legumes, nuts, and seeds. This dietary choice is often motivated by health concerns, ethical considerations regarding animal welfare, environmental sustainability, and cultural or religious beliefs. Single-cell oils complement vegetarian diets by supplying essential fatty acids, such as omega-3s, which are commonly deficient in plant-based foods and are vital for heart and brain health. For example, the Good Food Institute Europe, a Belgium-based non-profit organization, reported that in 2023, the value of plant-based food sales across six European countries reached €5.4 billion (around $5.83 billion), marking a 5.5% increase from 2022. Consequently, the rise in vegetarian diet adoption is fueling the growth of the single-cell oil market.

Key companies in the single-cell oil market are concentrating on developing innovative solutions, such as high-potency algal-derived omega-3 oils like DHA, to offer sustainable, plant-based alternatives to conventional fish-sourced oils. Algal DHA is an edible oil derived from microalgae, rich in healthy omega-3 fatty acids and consistent in quality, unlike traditional fish oil, which may face sustainability and contamination challenges. For example, in October 2024, DSM Firmenich N.V., a Switzerland-based health and nutrition company, introduced life'sDHA B54-0100, a naturally potent DHA algal oil providing approximately 545 mg of DHA and 80 mg of EPA per gram. This product allows for smaller, more convenient supplement formats with improved taste and no fishy odor, while also supporting broader applications in functional foods, gummies, and chews, positioning it as a sustainable, high-quality alternative to traditional fish-derived omega-3 oils.

Major companies operating in the single cell oil market are Royal DSM N.V., Goerlich Pharma GmbH, DIC Corporation, Cellana Inc., Cargill Incorporated, Alltech Inc., Xiamen Huison Biotech Co. Ltd., Qingdao Seawit Life Science Co. Ltd., Bioriginal Food & Science Corp., Novosana BV, Hubei Xinhe Biotechnology Co. Ltd., The Lubrizol Corporation, Corbion NV, Aurora Algae Inc., TerraVia Holdings Inc., Solazyme Inc., Algix LLC, Sapphire Energy Inc., Heliae Development LLC, Algenol Biofuels Inc., Blue Marble Biomaterials LLC, Elevance Renewable Sciences Inc., Solix Biofuels Inc., OriginOil Inc., Joule Unlimited Technologies Inc., Synthetic Genomics Inc., Genomatica Inc., LS9 Inc., Amyris Inc., Evolva SA, Solvay SA

Asia-Pacific was the largest region in the single-cell oil market in 2025. The regions covered in the single cell oil market report are Asia-Pacific, South East Asia, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East, Africa.

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

The single-cell oil market consists of sales of biofuel, biodiesel, food and feed supplements, cosmetics, and personal care supplements that are derived from microorganisms. 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.

Single Cell Oil 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 single cell oil 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 single cell oil ? 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 single cell oil 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 Micro-organism: Bacteria; Yeast; Microalgae; Fungal
• 2) By Grade: Fuel; Feed; Food
• 3) By Raw Material: Sugarcane Mill; Agro-Industrial Waste
• 4) By Application: Bio-Fuel Feedstock; Fish Oil Substitute; Functional Oils; Animal Feed; Infant Formulae; Pharmaceutical Products; Aquaculture
• Subsegments:
• 1) By Bacteria: Cyanobacteria; Acinetobacter; Methylobacterium
• 2) By Yeast: Saccharomyces Cerevisiae; Candida Oleophila; Pichia Pastoris
• 3) By Microalgae: Spirulina; Chlorella; Nannochloropsis
• 4) By Fungal: Mortierella; Rhizopus; Aspergillus
• Companies Mentioned: Royal DSM N.V.; Goerlich Pharma GmbH; DIC Corporation; Cellana Inc.; Cargill Incorporated; Alltech Inc.; Xiamen Huison Biotech Co. Ltd.; Qingdao Seawit Life Science Co. Ltd.; Bioriginal Food & Science Corp.; Novosana BV; Hubei Xinhe Biotechnology Co. Ltd.; The Lubrizol Corporation; Corbion NV; Aurora Algae Inc.; TerraVia Holdings Inc.; Solazyme Inc.; Algix LLC; Sapphire Energy Inc.; Heliae Development LLC; Algenol Biofuels Inc.; Blue Marble Biomaterials LLC; Elevance Renewable Sciences Inc.; Solix Biofuels Inc.; OriginOil Inc.; Joule Unlimited Technologies Inc.; Synthetic Genomics Inc.; Genomatica Inc.; LS9 Inc.; Amyris Inc.; Evolva SA; Solvay 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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