The Europe squalene market size is expected to reach USD 99.1 million in 2030 and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 10.6% from 2025 to 2030. Increasing usage of squalene in pharmaceutical products as an adjuvant for immune enhancement is one of the major factors driving the demand.
Squalene plays a vital role in certain additives, namely adjuvants that boost the immune response of the body through the active ingredients present in vaccines. In vaccines, it is used as an oil-in-water emulsion form, coupled with adjuvants and stimulants of the immune system. It plays the role of surfactant, thus increasing the response of the vaccines. As per the World Health Organization (WHO), a large number of COVID-19 vaccines were developed using squalene, which, in turn, has contributed to its demand growth in the short term.
Europe is the most attractive market for squalene, with France, Germany, and the U.K. accounting majority of the chemical’s consumption. In the U.K., the olive oil-based squalene segment is growing at a lucrative rate owing to the growing demand from several end-use industries, such as personal care and cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, and functional foods.
The raw material sources for manufacturing squalene mainly include animal oils, plant oils, and synthetic materials. Animal oils are mainly extracted from the livers of a shark while major plant-based oils include amaranth, olive, and rice bran. The market is regulated by stringent laws related to deep-sea fishing, especially poaching, as many of these animals are on the verge of extinction.
Although plant-based and synthetic substitutes available in the market are expensive, difficult to extract, and have higher operational costs, there has been a consistent effort in the industry to bring down the cost of inputs, increase yield levels, and market plant-based squalene at competitive prices to its animal-derived counterparts.
Request a free sample copy or view report summary: Europe Squalene Market Report
In 2020, personal care and cosmetics emerged as the largest end-use segment and accounted for more than 70.0% share of the regional revenue. Several functional attributes of squalene such as translucid, the absence of toxicity, moisturizing properties, low odor, and sensorial properties are making it one of the preferred emollients in cosmetic applications
The pharmaceuticals segment is expected to grow at the fastest CAGR of 10.8% over the forecast period, over the forecast period, owing to the increasing demand for the product in over-the-counter medications, numerous health supplements, and vaccines. Its usage in the development and manufacturing of covid-19 vaccines all over the world is also a key factor complementing market demand
The market is fragmented and highly competitive. Manufacturers are largely integrated along the value chain, in their efforts to maintain production costs at viable levels
The personal care & cosmetics segment dominated the market and accounted for the largest revenue share of 70.3% in 2024 due to surging demand for natural ingredients.
Grand View Research has segmented the Europe Squalene market report based on product and region:
Europe Squalene Source Outlook (Revenue, USD Million; Volume, Tons, 2018 - 2030)
Animals
Shark Liver Oil
Others
Plants
Amaranth Oil
Olive Oil
Rice Bran Oil
Others
Synthetic
Europe Squalene End Use Outlook (Revenue, USD Million; Volume, Tons, 2018 - 2030)
Pharmaceuticals
Personal Care & Cosmetics
Nutraceuticals
Food & Beverages
Others
Europe Squalene Regional Outlook (Revenue, USD Million; Volume, Tons, 2018 - 2030)
Europe
UK
Germany
France
Italy
Spain
Russia
Portugal
Benelux
List of Key Players in the Europe Squalene Market
efpbiotek
Gracefruit Limited.
KURARAY CO., LTD.
Maruha Nichiro Corporation
Evonik Industries AG (Wilshire Technologies Inc.)
"The quality of research they have done for us has been excellent..."