White Biotechnology Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis By Product (Biofuels, Biomaterials, Biochemicals), By Application (Bioenergy, Food & Feed Additives, Pharmaceutical ingredients, Personal Care & Household Products) By Region, And Segment Forecasts, 2013- 2024

Industry Insights

The global white biotechnology market demand was USD 203.28 billion in 2015 and is expected to witness growth at a CAGR of 10.2% from 2016 to 2024 on account of its increasing use in the manufacturing of biofuels such as bioethanol and biodiesel. About 4% of the chemical products including organic acids, amino acids, ethanol, and numerous vitamins are manufactured using this technology.

Increasing technology use across various industries on account of its various advantages such as environment friendliness, new raw material chains, efficient production methods, reduced manufacturing costs, low waste generation, and raw material consumption is expected to have a positive impact on the market over the next eight years.

Rising consumer demand for green chemicals particularly in North America and Europe who are willing to pay a higher price or a green premium for numerous renewable products is expected to push manufacturers to employ white biotechnology process as opposed to traditional chemical manufacturing. In addition, rising need from various consumer industries including automotive and consumer goods to meet sustainability targets is expected to fuel technology demand over the forecast period.

The white biotechnology process is cost competitive as it has lower cost curves as opposed to numerous chemical processes that are primarily based on the use of fossil fuels and have a comparatively lesser number of production steps, low energy needs and generate lesser waste by-products. Also, this technology is not affected by price volatilities as it does not compete with oil or crop prices. The aforementioned advantages are expected to fuel market growth over the forecast period.

Traditionally, biotechnology enables the commercial manufacturing of a wide range of products using various microorganisms and natural metabolic pathways. In the past, these natural products were either not used in a wide range of industries or just employed in niche markets. However, as of today, numerous industries have started the use of these products to comply with various environmental standards which is expected to fuel its demand over the forecast period.

Product Insights

The global market has been segmented by products into biofuels, biochemicals, and biopolymers. Biofuels processed from white biotechnology was valued at over 35% of the total revenue in 2015. Biofuel types include bioethanol and biodiesel. Rising use of biodiesel in its pure form in the automotive industry particularly in the U.S. and European countries to reduce the level of particulates, hydrocarbons, and carbon monoxide is expected to fuel demand over the forecast period.

Bioethanol is widely manufactured using white biotechnology. It is primarily used as a fuel to improve vehicle efficiency and as a gasoline additive to improve the octane rating of a vehicle. The growth of the automotive sector primarily in Germany is expected to fuel process need over the forecast period.

Global shift to bio-economy to reduce the production cost and raw material cost was the major driver for the growth of biochemical market. Several chemical manufacturers aim to reduce their dependency on fossil-based oil as principal raw material for chemical production. This, advancement in polymer development technology from biomass has created lucrative opportunities in biochemicals market in the recent past. Biochemicals find extensive commercial application in personal care products, food, coating, textiles, etc.

Application Insights

Pharmaceutical ingredients are expected to be one of the fastest growing applications of white biotechnology at a CAGR of 13.3% from 2016 to 2024. Rising technology use in the manufacturing of biopharmaceuticals particularly antibodies for cancer treatment, which cannot be manufactured via chemical synthesis is expected to fuel demand over the forecast period. In addition, enzymes used in this process enable the production of chiral compounds and other intermediates that are difficult to synthesize such as active pharmaceutical ingredients (API). Expansion of the pharmaceutical industry, particularly in Europe, is expected to fuel the market over the next eight years.

Bioenergy was the largest application segment estimated at over USD 80 billion in 2015. Continuous efforts by major companies in developed economies including North America and Europe to develop various clean energy sources to meet growing demand and reduce dependency on oil-producing countries in order to reduce the cost of fuel imports is expected to have a positive impact on the white biotechnology process over the forecast period.

Usage of several enzymes and materials obtained from white biotechnology has increased significantly in the production of food and feed additives. Superior performance of white biotechnology derived products coupled with excellent biocompatibility is anticipated to bolster the demand for white biotechnology in food & feed additive application.

Regional Insights

North America is currently the largest regional market for this technology, accounting for over 35% of the overall market revenue in 2015. Considerable funds by the government for R&D in the field and rising demand for green products and chemicals from consumers are the key factors that have strengthened North America’s position in the global market.

Enzymes play a key role in ongoing efforts in Europe and the U.S. to exploit and use biomass as a feedstock for production of high-value biofuels, biopolymers, and biochemicals from renewable resources. Rising use of biomass is an effective alternative to petroleum and is expected to have a positive impact on the environment, fuel economic growth, and reduce increased reliance on petroleum imports which in turn is expected to propel the technology demand over the forecast period.

Healthy growth of the chemical industry has driven considerable demand for high performance chemicals obtained from renewable feedstock. This, in turn, has led to augmented demand for biochemical in Europe in the past few years. Biochemical product segment is estimated to be the largest revenue-generating segment of the white biotechnology market in Europe in the next few years, expanding at a CAGR of 8.9% between 2016 and 2024.

White Biotechnology Market Share Insights

Key players in the market include Amyris, BioAmber, Borregaard, Codexis, Deinove, Evolva, Fermentalg, Gevo, Global Bioenergies, Metabolic Explorer, Novozymes, and Solazyme

Most white biotech M&A transactions are small in size and privately held. In May 2014, Kaneka signed an agreement for collaboration with Terumo BCT Inc. to apply for US clinical trials for its new LDL Absorption System. In May 2014, Kaneka signed an agreement for collaboration with Terumo BCT Inc. to apply for US clinical trials for its new LDL Absorption System.