According to the Market Statsville Group (MSG), the global squalene market size is expected to grow around USD 269.4 billion by 2033, at a CAGR of 6.2% from 2023 to 2033.

Unsaturated hydrocarbon squalene has a variety of uses, including in the nutraceutical, cosmetic, and medical fields. Animal oil is substantial, whereas vegetables and synthetic technologies can provide modest amounts. Vegetable sources include amaranth seeds, olives, and wheat germ are also sources of squalene. The naturally produced squalene diminishes with aging. It is primarily used for its medicinal and pharmacological advantages, including its capacity to operate as an antioxidant, chemo-preventive agent, and immune system booster. Also, it is significantly used in cosmetic products like lipsticks, eye shadows, deodorants, and anti-aging creams.

COVID-19 Impact on the Global Squalene Market

The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted the global economy, affecting the beauty industry, including colon cosmetics, fragrances, skincare, haircare, and personal care as well. Due to its reliance on the cosmetics industry, the squalene market has been adversely affected by the COVID-19 epidemic. However, the squalene market may quickly rebound after COVID-19 due to its dependence on the healthcare and nutraceuticals sectors. Squalene is an effective component in increasing the human body's immune response, hence is used in various vaccines. During the pandemic, the demand for COVID-19 vaccines accelerated, leading to the growth of the squalene market. Also, squalene is widely used as an antioxidant due to the presence of nutritional compounds such as Vitamin A, E, and K1. Indeed, due to the cosmetics industry squalene market faced a setback; however, eventually, with the rising vaccine demands, the market managed to survive the crisis.

Global Squalene Market Dynamics

Drivers: Health Benefits of Squalene

The major driving force of the squalene market is its health benefits. Squalene is naturally found in minor amounts in the skin and has various features like anti-aging, UV protection, and anti-oxidation, which is why it is widely used in cosmetics. Squalene acts as a quencher of singlet oxygen in the skin and is not easily affected by peroxidation. As a result, it shields the surface of human skin from exposure to UV light and other forms of oxidative damage. Additionally, squalene helps reduce cholesterol levels, enhances immunity, and normalizes plasma sterol levels. Due to this, it is prevalent in nutraceuticals, which is also a growth-inducing segment.

Restraints: Regulations on Shark Killing

Squalene is extracted from shark liver oil, and rising demand for squalene would lead to the overfishing of sharks. Hence, owing to animal protection activities, many laws have been made concerning the fishing of sharks. According to the International Trade of Endangered Species report, around five sharks are on the verge of extinction. The aforementioned factors restrain the squalene market as the supply of shark livers has decreased, eventually affecting the supply of squalene.

Opportunities: Increased R&D for New Renewable Sources of Squalene

Due to the reduction in the supply of shark liver, new alternative sources of squalene need to be developed. The squalene concentration in vegetable oils is very low, and huge quantities of amaranth and olives are required to produce a small amount of squalene. Hence, it creates many opportunities for emerging players to create an alternative through extensive research and development. Additionally, research in the lab has demonstrated that squalene improves macrophage performance. Additionally, it has anti-bacterial, anti-viral, and anti-fungal qualities that make it appropriate for pharmaceutical use. These parameters are expected to create new opportunities in the global squalene industry.

Scope of the Global Squalene Market

The study categorizes the squalene market based on the source type and end-use at the regional and global levels.

By Source Type Outlook (Sales, USD Billion, 2019-2033)

• Vegetable-sourced Squalene
• Animal-sourced Squalene
• Biosynthetic Squalene

By End-Use Outlook (Sales, USD Billion, 2019-2033)

• Pharmaceuticals
• Cosmetics
• Food
• Others

By Region Outlook (Sales, USD Billion, 2019-2033)

• North America
  • US
  • Canada
  • Mexico
• Europe
  • Germany
  • Italy
  • France
  • UK
  • Spain
  • Poland
  • Russia
  • The Netherlands
  • Norway
  • Czech Republic
  • Rest of Europe
• Asia Pacific
  • China
  • Japan
  • India
  • South Korea
  • Indonesia
  • Malaysia
  • Thailand
  • Singapore
  • Australia & New Zealand
  • Rest of Asia Pacific
• South America
  • Brazil
  • Argentina
  • Colombia
  • Rest of South America
• The Middle East & Africa
  • Saudi Arabia
  • UAE
  • South Africa
  • Northern Africa
  • Rest of MEA

Biosynthetic Squalene segment is projected to grow at the highest CAGR during the forecast period by Source Type

Based on source type, the market is bifurcated into vegetable-sourced, animal-sourced, and biosynthetic squalene. The biosynthetic segment is anticipated to experience the fastest expansion rate in terms of growth. This is because it is a renewable resource, raw materials are consistently available, and squalene derived from animals is subject to laws and mistrust. Squalene derived from plants and animals is more expensive to produce than synthetic squalene.

Europe is projected to account for the largest market share, by Region

Based on the regions, the global squalene market has been segmented across North America, Asia-Pacific, Europe, South America, and the Middle East & Africa. Europe will dominate the global squalene market in 2022. The market in the region is being driven by the rising need for high-quality products from the cosmetics, food, and pharmaceutical end-use sectors. In recent years, the market has substituted squalene derived from animals with squalene derived from vegetables. It is expected that this trend will not change throughout the forecasted period. The market in Europe is expected to be driven by customers with high purchasing power and increasing demand for high-end cosmetic items throughout the projected period

Key Market Players in the Global Squalene Market

Major players in the sector have turned to initiatives like product development, collaborations, acquisitions, agreements, and growth to strengthen market positions in the fiercely competitive squalene market. Most market businesses concentrate on growing operations globally, improving their capabilities, and cultivating solid partner relationships.

Major key players in the global squalene market are:

• Amyris, Inc.
• Arista Industries Inc
• Gracefruit Limited
• New Zealand Green Health Ltd
• Nucelis LLC
• Seadragon Marine Oils Limited
• Sophim Iberia S.L.
• Kishimoto Special Liver Oil Co., Ltd.
• Empresa Figueirense De Pesca
• Arbee
• Merck Kgaa
• Oleicfat S.L.
• Otto Chemie Pvt. Ltd.
• Cibus

Recent Developments

• In September 2021, A natural emollient called Sugar Squalene, made from sugarcane by sucrose fermentation was introduced by SOPHIM. This sesquiterpene is converted into sugar squalene by the processes of hydrogenation, dimerization, distillation, and fermentation.
• In August 2021, Amyris, Inc. launched Rose Inc., a clean color cosmetics brand. The products’ non-comedogenic formulas are developed with proprietary bioengineered and sustainably sourced ingredients, including squalene and hemi-squalene.

Key Issues Addressed

• What is the market size by various segmentation of the squalene by region and its respective countries?
• What are the customer buying behavior, key takeaways, and Porter's 5 forces of the squalene market?
• What are the key opportunities and trends for manufacturers involved in the squalene supply chain?
• What are the fundamental dynamics (drivers, restraints, opportunities, and challenges) of the market?
• What and how regulations, schemes, patents, and policies are impacting the growth of the market?
• What are the upcoming technological solutions influencing market trends? How will existing companies adapt to the new change in end-use?
• The market player positioning, top winning strategies by years, company product developments, and launches will be?
• How has COVID-19 impacted the demand and sales of squalene in the global market? Also, the expected BPS drop or rise count of the market and market predicted recovery period.
• Detailed analysis of the competitors and their latest launch, and what are the prominent startups introduced in the target market? Also, detailed company profiling of 25+ leading and prominent companies in the market.