Europe Microalgae Market by Type (Spirulina, Chlorella, Nannochloropsis), Category (Organic), Production Technique (Ponds, Fermenters, PBR), Distribution Channel (B2C, B2B), Application (Nutraceuticals, Food & Beverages), and Geography - Forecast to 2030

This report is executed in collaboration with the European Algae Biomass Association (EABA). Combining Meticulous Research®’ market intelligence services with EABA’s broad expertise in the development of research, technology and industrial capacities in the field of algae, the two organizations have leveraged their research capabilities to come up with the most reliable and accurate market assessments in this field.

The Europe Microalgae Market is expected to reach $491.9 million by 2030, at a CAGR of 9.3% during the forecast period of 2023–2030. In terms of volume, the Europe Microalgae Market is expected to reach 25,465 tons by 2030, at a CAGR of 8.3% during the forecast period 2023–2030.

The growth of this market is driven by consumer inclination toward health & wellness trends and the growing dietary supplements industry, the rising demand for natural food colors, increasing vegetarianism, the growing nutraceuticals industry, the increasing preference for microalgae-sourced products, and increasing awareness regarding benefits of microalgae. However, low awareness regarding the benefits of microalgae and the complexities in the production of algae products are expected to restrain the growth of this market. Furthermore, the rising demand for phycocyanin and the growing demand for microalgae among biorefineries are expected to create market growth opportunities. However, contamination risks are a major challenge for the players operating in this market. Additionally, the growing adoption of new production technologies (photobioreactors) is a prominent trend in the Europe microalgae market.

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Increasing Preference for Microalgae-Sourced Products

Market trends and consumers’ growing interest in natural and healthy products have encouraged researchers and the industry to develop novel products with functional ingredients. Microalgae have been recognized as a source of functional ingredients with positive health effects since these microorganisms produce polyunsaturated fatty acids, polysaccharides, natural pigments, essential minerals, vitamins, enzymes, and bioactive peptides.

Omega-3 fatty acids have anti-aging properties and offer several benefits, such as preventing heart disease and healing atherosclerosis. Linolenic acid, alpha-linolenic acid, eicosapentaenoic (EPA), and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) are natural omega-3 fatty acids. Usually, these omega-3 fatty acids are derived from fish oil, but indications suggest that omega-3 fatty acids in fish oil come from zooplankton, which consumes spirulina. Thus, microalgae are one of the best sources of omega-3 fatty acids. Algal PUFA production is more economical than biofuel production; hence several large-scale producers are now focusing on nutritional PUFA production instead of biofuel production. Spirulina is one of the most prominent microalgae due to its high production of long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids, phenolic compounds, volatile compounds, sterols, proteins, amino acids, peptides, vitamins, polysaccharides, and pigments. It contains 15.8% lipids and 4.9% omega-3 fatty acids.

Due to shortcomings of fish-derived oil, including undesirable taste & odor, diminishing supplies, chemical processing methods, and the presence of contaminants, such as mercury, dioxins, and polychlorinated biphenyls, omega-3 fatty acids are now being produced using microalgae (spirulina), as it offers non-polluted omega-3 fatty acids.

In July 2021, DIC Corporation (Japan), a wholly owned subsidiary of DIC Lifetec Co., Ltd. (Japan), which manufactures and sells health foods (notably edible blue-green algae spirulina), signed a sales agency contract with Fermentalg S.A. (France), a developer of microalgae-derived food ingredients. DIC Corporation (Japan) has started marketing Fermentalg’s DHA ORIGINS-510 series of Schizochytrium sp.-derived highly concentrated docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) oils for use in dietary supplements. In June 2021, Allmicroalgae (Portugal) partnered with Portugal Foods (Portugal) to strengthen and promote its international, commercial and industrial network. These strategic developments by leading players are expected to drive the demand for spirulina in Europe.

Moreover, in October 2018, The Good Spoon (France) launched a range of vegan mayo replacing egg yolk with chlorella. The company also aims to penetrate the European market with its plant-based mayonnaise alternatives. Thus, the increasing application of chlorella in various food products is boosting the demand for chlorella in the food & beverage industry, which is expected to drive the microalgae market in Europe during the forecast period.

Increasing Awareness Regarding the Benefits of Microalgae

In the past few years, there has been a growing consumer interest in natural ingredients and innovative products, which has led to an increased interest in microalgae-based food, natural cosmetics, nutraceuticals, and other high-value health products. For centuries, microalgae have been recognized for their rich nutritional content and have been used to address dietary deficiencies in growing populations.

Recently, the growing awareness of the health benefits associated with microalgae has led to its increased popularity in the food and beverage industry. Thus, to capitalize on this trend, many market players are introducing microalgae-containing products to promote their innovative brands and drive sales. For instance:

• In March 2022, Gavan, Ltd., an Israel-based food tech start-up, launched a range of natural blue colorings from spirulina for hot-and-cold drinks.
• In September 2021, FUL Foods (Netherlands) launched a range of blue spirulina soft drinks in the U.K. The drinks are available in three flavors: white peach, lemon & ginger and mint & lime.
• In August 2021, Prolgae Spirulina Supplies Pvt Ltd (India) launched sweet spirulina powder and protein bars.

The launch of microalgae-derived products by major market players is expected to expand their product portfolios and enhance their business operations. The increase in demand for effective and innovative microalgae-based products is expected to drive the growth of the microalgae market in Europe.

Key Findings in the Europe Microalgae Market Study:

In 2023, the Chlorella Segment is Expected to Account for the Largest Share of the Europe Microalgae Market

Based on type, the Europe microalgae market is segmented into spirulina, chlorella, Dunaliella salina, Haematococcus pluvialis, Nannochloropsis, and other microalgae. In 2023, the chlorella segment is expected to account for the larger share of the Europe microalgae market. The large share of this market is mainly attributed to the rise in health & wellness trends and the dietary supplements industry; increasing consumption of plant-based food; growing preference for chlorella-containing products; growing use of chlorella in nutraceuticals; and an increasing number of products that include chlorella as an ingredient. However, the Haematococcus pluvialis segment is projected to record the highest CAGR during the forecast period due to the increasing demand for natural astaxanthin in the nutraceutical industry, growing demand for natural food colorants, and increasing awareness for clean-label products.

In 2023, the Inorganic Segment is Expected to Account for the Largest Share of the Europe Microalgae Market

Based on category, the Europe microalgae market is segmented into inorganic microalgae and organic microalgae. In 2023, the inorganic microalgae segment is expected to account for the larger share of the Europe microalgae market. The large share of this segment is primarily attributed to the high availability of microalgae grown through the traditional method and easy accessibility to cost-effective algae production. However, the organic microalgae segment is projected to register the highest CAGR during the forecast period due to the increasing demand for certified organic products in the European food industry and the growing demand for natural colorants. Furthermore, the increasing demand for organic growth media by microalgae manufacturers is expected to support the growth of this segment.

In 2023, the Ponds Segment is Expected to Account for the Largest Share of the Europe Microalgae Market

Based on production technique, the Europe microalgae market is segmented into ponds, fermenters, and photobioreactors (PBR). In 2023, the ponds segment is expected to account for the larger share of the Europe microalgae market. The large share of this segment is primarily attributed to the presence of a large number of key players in the pond cultivation of microalgae; which requires lower investment, low operational and energy costs; and the potential to produce higher biomass volumes. However, the photobioreactors (PBR) segment is projected to grow at the fastest CAGR during the forecast period due to the growing demand for algal biomass from the food and beverage industry, lower vulnerability to species contamination, higher productivity, lower harvesting cost, reduced water and carbon dioxide losses, and easier control of the cultivation conditions such as temperature and pH.

In 2023, the Business Channel Segment is Expected to Account for the Largest Share of the Europe Microalgae Market

Based on distribution channel, the Europe microalgae market is segmented into consumer channel (B2C) and business channel (B2B). In 2023, the business channel (B2B) segment is expected to account for the larger share of the Europe microalgae market. The large market share of this segment is attributed to the direct bulk purchasing of microalgae by manufacturers operating in various industries, such as nutraceuticals, food & beverage, and animal feed, for further product development. This segment is also expected to grow at the highest CAGR during the forecast period. The fast growth of this market is mainly attributed to factors such as the opportunity to engage directly with its consumers, better understand their needs, and deliver a custom-made experience.

In 2023, the Nutraceuticals Segment is Expected to Account for the Largest Share of the Europe Microalgae Market

Based on application, the Europe microalgae market is segmented into nutraceuticals, food & beverages, cosmetics, animal feed, and other applications. In 2023, the nutraceuticals segment is expected to account for the larger share of the Europe microalgae market. The large market share of this segment is attributed to the booming nutraceuticals sector, growing health concerns of the aging population, the growing need for natural alternatives to traditional pharmaceutical products, and increased consumer awareness regarding the link between nutrition and health. However, the food and beverages segment is projected to grow at the fastest CAGR during the forecast period due to increasing plant-based food consumption and microalgae-containing product launches.

Germany: The Largest Market

Based on geography, the Europe microalgae market is segmented into France, Germany, the U.K., Italy, Spain, and the Rest of Europe. In 2023, Germany is expected to account for the largest share of the Europe microalgae market, followed by France and the U.K. Germany’s major market share is attributed to the huge consumption of health supplements, strict regulations against the use of synthetic colors, growth of subsidiary industries like cosmetics and biofertilizers, increasing preference for natural protein sources, and the presence of key algae biomass manufacturers with huge production capacities. However, France is expected to register the highest CAGR during the forecast period, mainly due to the increased adoption of microalgae, especially spirulina and chlorella, in the manufacturing of therapeutic & nutritional products, growing reluctance towards the usage of synthetic colors, rising demand for natural blue colorants, and investments from leading color stakeholders in the phycocyanin space.

Key Players

The report offers a competitive analysis based on an extensive assessment of the product portfolio offerings, geographic presences, and key strategic developments adopted by leading market players in the last three to four years. The key players profiled in the Europe Microalgae market study are Fuqing King Dnarmsa Spirulina Co., Ltd. (China), DIC Corporation (Japan), E.I.D. - Parry (India) Limited (A Subsidiary of M/S. Ambadi Investments Limited) (India), Cyanotech Corporation (U.S.), C.B.N. Bio-Engineering Co., Ltd (China), YUNNAN GREEN A BIOLOGICAL PROJECT CO., LTD. (Yunnan Spirin Biotechnology Co. Ltd) (China), JIANGSHAN COMP SPIRULINA CO.,LTD (China), Inner Mongolia Rejuve Biotech Co., Ltd. (China), Zhejiang Binmei Biotechnology Co., Ltd. (China), Bluetec Naturals CO., LTD. (China), Taiwan Chlorella Manufacturing Company (TCMC) (Taiwan), Sun Chlorella Corporation (Japan), Roquette Klötze GmbH & Co. KG (Germany), Vedan Biotechnology Corporation (Taiwan), AlgoSource (France), Tianjin Norland Biotech Co., Ltd (China), Allmicroalgae Natural Products S.A. (Portugal), Aliga Microalgae (Denmark), ALGALIMENTO SL (Spain), Hangzhou OuQi Food co., Ltd. (China), Far East Microalgae Industries, Co., Ltd.(FEMICO) (Taiwan), BlueBioTech Group (Germany), Algatechnologies Ltd. (A Part of Solabia Group) (Israel), Far East Bio-Tec. Co., Ltd. (FEBICO) (Taiwan), A4f Algae for Future (Portugal), Archimede Ricerche Srl (Italy), Necton S.A. (Portugal), Reed Mariculture Inc. (U.S.), AlgaSpring B.V. (Netherlands), and Astaxa GmbH (Germany).

Scope of the report:

Europe Microalgae Market, by Type

• Spirulina
• Chlorella
• Dunaliella salina
• Haematococcus pluvialis
• Nannochloropsis
• Other Microalgae

Europe Microalgae Market, by Category         

• Inorganic Microalgae
• Organic Microalgae

Europe Microalgae Market, by Production Technique   

• Ponds
• Fermenters
• Photobioreactors

Europe Microalgae Market, by Distribution Channel      

• Business Channel
• Consumer Channel

Europe Microalgae Market, by Application

• Nutraceuticals
• Food and Beverages
• Animal Feed
• Cosmetics
• Other Applications

Europe Microalgae Market, by Geography

• France
• Germany
• U.K.
• Italy
• Spain
• Rest of Europe

Key questions answered in the report: