Microbial Fermentation Technology Market Size
| Study Period | 2019 - 2030 |
| Market Size (2025) | USD 37.35 Billion |
| Market Size (2030) | USD 49.71 Billion |
| CAGR (2025 - 2030) | 5.88% |
| Fastest Growing Market | Asia Pacific |
| Largest Market | North America |
| Market Concentration | Medium |
Major Players*Disclaimer: Major Players sorted in no particular order |
Microbial Fermentation Technology Market Analysis
The Microbial Fermentation Technology Market size is estimated at USD 37.35 billion in 2025, and is expected to reach USD 49.71 billion by 2030, at a CAGR of 5.88% during the forecast period (2025-2030).
The number of biotechnologically derived medications that are available to treat a wide range of illnesses, such as various cancers, diabetes mellitus, and infectious diseases (such as the AIDS virus/HIV), as well as cardiovascular, neurological, respiratory, and autoimmune diseases, has increased exponentially in recent years. This is expected to drive the market as microbial fermentation is one of the major processes in the production of various active substances in biotech-based drugs.
The biotechnology industry, which is experiencing growth, is a valuable ally for the pharmaceutical industry in its search for novel compounds. Hence, there is increasing demand for biotech-based drugs owing to factors like increasing chronic diseases and the availability of a wide range of products. For instance, according to the Pharmacy Journal published in January 2024, there was a significant uptake in the utilization of several cancer-related products, with some categories achieving 80.0% of biosimilar share. Thus, biotech companies are increasingly using microbial fermentation to produce therapeutic proteins, vaccines, and other biopharmaceuticals. This technology is essential for the large-scale production of biologics that are crucial for treating various diseases, thereby boosting market growth.
Modern fermentation processes now utilize real-time data analytics, artificial intelligence, and automation. These technologies optimize fermentation conditions, leading to enhanced yields, reduced production times, and improved product quality. For instance, in September 2024, Culture Biosciences, known for its automated bioprocess development tools, forged a strategic partnership with Google Cloud. This collaboration is aimed at merging Culture's real-time data monitoring and cloud-linked bioreactors with Google's Gemini AI and other sophisticated data tools. The partnership will unfold in three phases, focusing on investments in cloud computing infrastructure and AI tools, all to democratize early upstream process development. Thus, integration with AI technology is expected to result in increased scale-up and manufacturing, thereby boosting market growth.
Similarly, advances in genetic engineering and synthetic biology have led to the development of more robust and efficient microbial strains. For instance, in March 2023, researchers at Imperial College London harnessed artificial intelligence (AI) to refine yeast strains, pushing the boundaries of precision fermentation. Their goal is to unlock the technology's vast potential in both pharmaceutical and food production. Precision fermentation employs genetically modified yeasts and other microorganisms to produce tailored molecules. This technology has garnered traction among startups eager to leverage it to develop cost-effective products. These technological advancements are driving innovations across various industries, including pharmaceuticals and biotechnology, and improvements in the efficiency, scalability, and sustainability of microbial fermentation processes are anticipated to bolster market growth.
Hence, increasing demand for biotech-based drugs and technological advancements in microbial fermentation technologies are anticipated to drive market growth over the forecast period. However, high initial investments and consistency and scalability issues are expected to hamper market growth.
Microbial Fermentation Technology Market Trends
The Bio-pharmaceutical Companies Segment Expected to Hold a Significant Market Share Over the Forecast Period
The goal of fermentation is to produce the necessary biopharmaceutical therapeutic material that is pure and active and released by the necessary quality standards and specifications. This is accomplished through upstream and downstream good manufacturing practice (GMP) multi-stage processes. With the widening importance of biopharmaceuticals, the segment is expected to drive market growth over the forecast period.
The growing investments in research and development and the production of biopharmaceuticals by these companies are expected to be the key driving factors for the high demand for fermentation by bio-pharmaceutical manufacturers over the forecast period. For instance, in April 2023, the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC), a part of the UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), granted a fund of GBP 12 million (~USD 15 million) to fund the Future Vaccines Manufacturing Hub for the next seven years, up to 2030. Further, the hub wants to make the United Kingdom the global center for vaccine discovery, development, and manufacture, which is expected to increase investments in the region further and drive demand for microbial fermentation technology in the pharmaceutical industry, thereby boosting segment growth.
Pharmaceutical companies are engaged in the development of advanced microbial fermentation technology, which is anticipated to boost the segment’s growth over the forecast period. For instance, in November 2022, BiondVax Pharmaceuticals Ltd, a biopharmaceutical firm, showcased its products at the Recent Advances in Fermentation Technology (RAFT) 14 conference, organized by the Society for Industrial Microbiology and Biotechnology (SIMB) in Orlando, Florida. RAFT serves as a platform for both academic and industrial scientists to delve into the latest advancements in fermentation technology. By participating in such events, companies are becoming more aware of the latest technologies or innovations in the biopharmaceutical market and taking action accordingly.
Additionally, in March 2024, Aurisco Pharmaceutical completed its investment in cGMP peptide manufacturing capacity at its USFDA-inspected facility in Yangzhou, China. In addition to its current fermentation and synthetic capabilities, the new advanced manufacturing and purification workshops add multi-metric ton capacity for producing Aurisco's generic GLP-1 peptides. Such expansion in peptide manufacturing capabilities is expected to increase demand for microbial fermentation technology and is likely to spur segment growth over the projected period.
Thus, growing demand for biotech-based drugs, increasing research and development activities by the pharmaceutical industry, and strategic activities by market players are expected to drive the segment’s growth over the forecast period.
North America Expected to Hold a Significant Market Share Over the Forecast Period
North America is expected to hold a major share in the market studied over the forecast period due to factors such as increasing demand for biotech-based drugs, rising research and development activities, and growing expenditure for developments in biopharmaceutical fermentation and technological advancements.
The rising prevalence of diseases, such as diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, and cancer, in North American countries is contributing to the regional market’s growth due to the growing use of biopharmaceutical fermentation technology in manufacturing biotech drugs and biological drugs. For instance, as per the Canadian Cancer Statistics 2023 report, about 239.2 thousand new cancer cases were reported in 2023 in Canada, compared to 233.9 thousand in 2022. Thus, the growing burden of cancer is expected to create demand for biotech-based drugs, which is likely to contribute to the segment’s growth.
Moreover, the strategic initiatives adopted by market players, such as technological advancements leading to product launches, approvals, fundraising, and partnerships to expand their offerings in the biopharmaceutical industry, are expected to drive the growth of the market studied. For instance, in January 2024, WuXi Biologics in the United States enhanced the capabilities of its newly constructed facility located in Worcester, Massachusetts. This augmentation is expected to increase the facility's planned capacity for commercial drug substances from 24,000 liters to 36,000 liters, aligning with the escalating demand for its services. The increasing commercial drug substance capacity is expected to boost the use of biopharmaceutical fermentation technology over the forecast period.
The advances in scale-up technologies, such as modular and flexible production systems, facilitate the transition from laboratory-scale to industrial-scale fermentation with greater consistency and efficiency. For instance, in June 2024, Hydrosome Labs, a Chicago-based company, developed an innovative technology that addresses several challenges in precision fermentation. This process customizes yeast and bacteria to produce specific molecules for diverse applications, ranging from food ingredients and biofuels to industrial enzymes and pharmaceuticals. Furthermore, this groundbreaking technology could alleviate a global bottleneck in fermentation capacity and equipment, enabling significantly higher yields from tanks that were either the same size or previously deemed unsuitable. Such advancements will bolster market growth over the forecast period.
Hence, the growing burden of chronic diseases leads to increased demand for biotech-based drugs and strategic activities by market players, and technological advancements in microbial fermentation technology are expected to bolster segment growth over the forecast period.
Microbial Fermentation Technology Industry Overview
The microbial fermentation technology market is semi-consolidated, with the presence of a number of players. Major companies in the microbial fermentation technology market include AbbVie, Lonza, Danone, and Novozymes. These players are focusing on innovations and expanding their production capacities to meet the rising demand
Microbial Fermentation Technology Market Leaders
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Biocon Ltd.
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Danone UK
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BioVectra Inc.
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Novozymes A/S
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Koninklijke Philips NV
- *Disclaimer: Major Players sorted in no particular order
Microbial Fermentation Technology Market News
- March 2024: Novel Bio, a frontrunner in advanced biomanufacturing technologies for plasmid DNA utilized in genetic medicines, partnered with Culture Biosciences. This collaboration aims to expedite the development of scalable fermentation processes for Novel Bio's proprietary NBx Platform, which is dedicated to plasmid DNA production.
- June 2024: French industrial giants Danone and Michelin, alongside American startup DMC Biotechnologies and Crédit Agricole Centre France, partnered to establish the Biotech Open Platform. This initiative aims to enhance the development of advanced fermentation processes, with a particular focus on scaling up precision fermentation. Precision fermentation stands out as a groundbreaking biotechnological method for producing bio-based materials and ingredients.
Microbial Fermentation Technology Industry Segmentation
As per the scope of the report, microbial fermentation technology refers to the use of microorganisms to convert substrates into valuable products through biochemical processes, typically in anaerobic conditions. This technology plays a crucial role in various industries, including pharmaceuticals and biotechnology.
The microbial fermentation technology is segmented by application, end user, and geography. By application, the market is segmented into antibiotics, monoclonal antibodies, recombinant proteins, biosimilars, vaccines, enzymes, small molecules, and other applications (hormones and vitamins, among others). By end user, the market is segmented into bio-pharmaceutical companies, contract research organizations (CROs), CMOs and CDMOs, and academic and research institutes. By geography, the market is segmented into North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, the Middle East and Africa, and South America. The report offers the market sizes and forecasts in value terms (USD) for the above segments.
| By Application | Antibiotics | ||
| Monoclonal Antibodies | |||
| Recombinant Proteins | |||
| Biosimilars | |||
| Vaccines | |||
| Enzymes | |||
| Small Molecules | |||
| Other Applications | |||
| By End User | Bio-pharmaceutical Companies | ||
| Contract Research Organizations (CROs) | |||
| CMOs and CDMOs | |||
| Academic and Research Institutes | |||
| Geography | North America | United States | |
| Canada | |||
| Mexico | |||
| Europe | Germany | ||
| United Kingdom | |||
| France | |||
| Italy | |||
| Spain | |||
| Rest of Europe | |||
| Asia-Pacific | China | ||
| Japan | |||
| India | |||
| Australia | |||
| South Korea | |||
| Rest of Asia-Pacific | |||
| Middle East and Africa | GCC | ||
| South Africa | |||
| Rest of Middle East and Africa | |||
| South America | Brazil | ||
| Argentina | |||
| Rest of South America | |||
| Antibiotics |
| Monoclonal Antibodies |
| Recombinant Proteins |
| Biosimilars |
| Vaccines |
| Enzymes |
| Small Molecules |
| Other Applications |
| Bio-pharmaceutical Companies |
| Contract Research Organizations (CROs) |
| CMOs and CDMOs |
| Academic and Research Institutes |
| North America | United States |
| Canada | |
| Mexico | |
| Europe | Germany |
| United Kingdom | |
| France | |
| Italy | |
| Spain | |
| Rest of Europe | |
| Asia-Pacific | China |
| Japan | |
| India | |
| Australia | |
| South Korea | |
| Rest of Asia-Pacific | |
| Middle East and Africa | GCC |
| South Africa | |
| Rest of Middle East and Africa | |
| South America | Brazil |
| Argentina | |
| Rest of South America |
Microbial Fermentation Technology Market Research FAQs
How big is the Microbial Fermentation Technology Market?
The Microbial Fermentation Technology Market size is expected to reach USD 37.35 billion in 2025 and grow at a CAGR of 5.88% to reach USD 49.71 billion by 2030.
What is the current Microbial Fermentation Technology Market size?
In 2025, the Microbial Fermentation Technology Market size is expected to reach USD 37.35 billion.
Who are the key players in Microbial Fermentation Technology Market?
Biocon Ltd., Danone UK, BioVectra Inc., Novozymes A/S and Koninklijke Philips NV are the major companies operating in the Microbial Fermentation Technology Market.
Which is the fastest growing region in Microbial Fermentation Technology Market?
Asia Pacific is estimated to grow at the highest CAGR over the forecast period (2025-2030).
Which region has the biggest share in Microbial Fermentation Technology Market?
In 2025, the North America accounts for the largest market share in Microbial Fermentation Technology Market.
What years does this Microbial Fermentation Technology Market cover, and what was the market size in 2024?
In 2024, the Microbial Fermentation Technology Market size was estimated at USD 35.15 billion. The report covers the Microbial Fermentation Technology Market historical market size for years: 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024. The report also forecasts the Microbial Fermentation Technology Market size for years: 2025, 2026, 2027, 2028, 2029 and 2030.
Microbial Fermentation Technology Industry Report
Statistics for the 2025 Microbial Fermentation Technology market share, size and revenue growth rate, created by Mordor Intelligence™ Industry Reports. Microbial Fermentation Technology analysis includes a market forecast outlook for 2025 to 2030 and historical overview. Get a sample of this industry analysis as a free report PDF download.
