Microbial cellulose Market Expected to Reach $64.5 Million by 2032—Allied Market Research

According to a new report published by Allied Market Research, titled, “Microbial cellulose Market," The microbial cellulose market size was valued at $20.7 million in 2022, and is estimated to reach $64.5 million by 2032, growing at a CAGR of 12.2% from 2023 to 2032.

Microbial cellulose is also called bacterial cellulose. It is a biodegradable, natural cellulose that is produced by different types of bacteria, such as Cluconacetobacter xylinus. Also, it can be made by the fermentation of Acetobacter xylinum. The diameter of microbial cellulose fiber is 20–100 nm. Microbial cellulose has high water retention owing to being very hydrophilic and retaining a high surface area to mass ratio.

Besides, microbial cellulose has excellent mechanical strength, is relatively inexpensive to produce, and displays high crystallinity. Microbial cellulose has the advantage of being free from wax, hemicellulose, lignin, and pectin, which are present in plant-based cellulose. Moreover, it is regarded as remarkably pure cellulose with high crystallinity, high average molecular weight, and superior mechanical stability.

The growth of the global microbial cellulose market is majorly attributable to its wide applications such as personal care products, biomedicine, household chemicals, textile, composite materials, and others. Moreover, growth in demand for microbial cellulose from the food & beverage industry is expected to drive the market growth during the forecast period. Microbial cellulose is a dietary fiber, recognized as a “generally recognized as safe” (GRAS) food by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

As a food ingredient, one of the major benefits of microbial cellulose is its appeal for dietetic foods, owing to its indigestibility by humans. Also, it favors intestinal transit, besides contributing to the mouthfeel. Besides, microbial cellulose is utilized as a fat replacer in meatballs. Moreover, microbial cellulose is used to immobilize enzymes that are beneficial for food applications. Microbial cellulose is also used as a matrix for films & coatings for food applications, including edible films & coatings. Besides, it is used to make reinforcing bacterial cellulose nanocrystals.  

Further, microbial cellulose has a distinctive three-dimensional reticulated network. It has properties such as large surface areas, exceptional water-holding capability, excellent mechanical properties, and transparent nature. These exceptional attributes make microbial cellulose ideal for biomedical applications.   

Moreover, microbial cellulose is widely used for tissue regeneration. The intracellular matrix of microbial cellulose allows it to be an excellent scaffold for a series of cell types. Various cells grown in microbial cellulose matrices include muscle, bone, neuronal, and skin tissue.  

Further, microbial cellulose has a range of additional benefits such as eliminating exudates meanwhile allowing perspiration and gas exchange, preventing infections, relieving pain and loss of electrolyte & protein, and accelerating wound closure. Due to these advantages, a series of microbial cellulose-based wound dressings are commercialized in the market under the trademarks of NanodermTM, Membracell, Gengiflex, Bionext, Suprasorb X, Biofill, Xcell, and others. These wound dressings show higher efficiency in comparison with conventional gauze and are widely utilized for treating arterial and venous ulcers, pressure ulcers, diabetic ulcers, burns, post-operative surgical wounds,  skin graft sites, skin grafts, abrasions, etc.  

However, higher cost associated with microbial cellulose production is projected to hinder the expansion of the market. On the contrary, the growing demand for personal care ingredients and products is expected to offer ample growth opportunities for the microbial cellulose market.    

As per the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), the leading countries globally such as the U.S., China, The Netherlands, India, Japan, Australia, Switzerland, Germany, and others have registered growth in disposable income, which in turn boosts the demand for skin care products. Also, purchasing power of consumers is expected to increase enormously. This bolsters the demand for personal care ingredients as these ingredients are widely being used in the skin care products.  

Nowadays, cosmetics & skin care products have become an integral part of the modern lifestyle of individuals. Growing awareness about external appearance is the major key factor driving the demand for the cosmetic and skin care products.   

In personal care products, microbial cellulose pellicles harvested from static fermentation are widely used as raw materials for face masks. Compared to non-woven cellulose or silk face masks,  microbial cellulose-composed face masks have more excellent water-holding capability and provide a good feeling of coolness and smoothness owing to their nanoscale 3D reticulated network.  

The microbial cellulose industry is segmented into growth medium, application, and region. On the basis of growth medium, the market is categorized into synthetic and natural. As per application, the market is divided into food & beverage, medical, cosmetics & personal care, paper, textile, and others. Region-wise, the microbial cellulose market share is studied across North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and LAMEA.  

Major players operating in the global microbial cellulose market includes Ashland, Axcelon Biopolymers Corporation, BacPolyZyme, BIOESQUE, Borregaard AS, BOWIL Biotech Sp. z o.o., HBBE, HNB BIO CO., LTD, HYSSES, and Merck KGaA. These players adopted several growth strategies such as product launch and collaboration to strengthen their position in the market.   

Key findings of the study:

• By growth medium, the synthetic segment was the highest revenue contributor to the market in 2022.

• By application, the medical segment was the highest revenue contributor to the market, growing with a CAGR of 12.4%.

• Based on region, Asia-Pacific was the highest revenue contributor in 2022.