The global castor oil and derivatives market size is expected to reach USD 2.0 billion by 2025, expanding at a CAGR of 6.7%, according to a new report by Grand View Research, Inc. The market is anticipated to grow at a fast pace owing to increasing demand from end-use industries, especially biodiesel, cosmetics, and pharmaceutical. The growth in the market can be attributed to increasing demand for biodegradable and sustainable products on account of shifting industry trends toward reducing the dependency on petrochemicals.

Mounting preference of end-use manufacturers toward bio-based chemicals can be attributed to the fluctuating prices of petrochemical-based products, which are a result of the demand-supply gap. This shift toward bio-based products has caused distress in the global chemical industry and has fueled the demand for vegetable oils, especially castor oil. Favorable regulatory support from developed economies of North America and Europe, owing to the resolutions for reducing environmental hazards related to petrochemicals and conventional sources, is anticipated to fuel the market growth in the near future.

The product is primarily found in semi-tropical and tropical regions across the globe. India is the largest manufacturer of castor oil and the production is anticipated to rise on account of high availability of seeds in the country. According to the Amisy Group, prominent producers in 2018 were Brazil, China, and India, which account for over 80% of the global castor oil production volume. Plant cultivation is dependent on the climate and its harvesting requires approximately six months, resulting in an unpredictable supply of raw material. Fluctuating prices of the raw material owing to inconsistency in supply chain and high dependency on climatic conditions are projected to restrain the market growth.

Further key findings from the report suggest:

  • The castor oil and derivatives market demand is anticipated to reach 1,079.9 kilotons by 2025, at a CAGR of 4.1% from 2019 to 2025
  • In terms of revenue, the undecylenic acid product segment is projected to ascend at a revenue-based CAGR of 7.5% over the forecast period
  • In terms of volume, plastics and resins emerged as the largest application segment in 2018, owing to growing preference for biodegradable plastics across the globe
  • Europe is projected to witness a remarkable revenue-based growth rate of 6.5% in the near future, owing to the increasing consumption of personal care and cosmetic products in the region
  • Jayant Agro Organics, NK Proteins Limited, and Adani Wilmar Limited are the market leaders owing to their strong product portfolio. Adani Wilmar Limited has a broad product portfolio of castor oil and derivatives and operates in over 50 countries, globally.