Europe Dunaliella Salina Market (2023-2030)

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 Dunaliella salina market is driven by increasing demand for naturally-sourced beta carotene products, rising need for natural colorants, and increased use of Dunaliella salina in the cosmetics industry. However, the complex production process for Dunaliella salina is expected to restrain the growth of this market.

Beta-carotene is a part of the carotenoid family and an antioxidant derived from natural and synthetic sources. It is the main safe dietary source of vitamin A, which is essential for normal growth and development, immune system functioning, and healthy skin, epithelium, and vision.

Naturally-sourced beta-carotene has several advantages over synthetic beta-carotene. Disadvantages of synthetic bet-carotene include its low nutritional value, various side effects, and the incidence of lung cancer and associated mortalities. To overcome these disadvantages, key manufacturers are developing beta-carotene products from natural sources, including algae, fruits, and vegetables. Dunaliella salina is a one of the richest sources of natural β-carotene. It accumulates a high quantity of carotenoids (12.6% of the dry weight of Dunaliella salina), with β-carotene comprising more than 60.4% of total carotenoids. Therefore, the increasing focus on natural-source beta-carotene products is expected to boost the demand for Dunaliella salina, driving the growth of this market during the forecast period.

In Europe, the extensive use of artificial production sources to increase food production has resulted in various health hazards. As consumers become increasingly health-conscious and environmentally aware, there is a growing demand for naturally grown food products. Consequently, manufacturers are now widely using natural colors to enhance the visual appeal of products after processing and meet this demand for natural products.

Natural colors or dyes are primarily derived from sources such as algae, plants, animals, fruits, and insects, making them safe to use as a food additive and free of harmful side effects. The therapeutic applications of natural colors are also growing due to their non-toxic nature and minimal side effects. Many countries' governments support using natural food colors since they are biodegradable and do not cause pollution upon disposal. Moreover, in the EU, the European Commission has banned the use of titanium dioxide (E171) as a food additive since August 7, 2022. Several regulations have been passed to limit the use of synthetic food colors. Hence, European consumers are adopting natural colors and food products with natural ingredients. This trend has opened up opportunities for exporters of natural food colors, especially algae-based natural food colors.

Moreover, government initiatives promoting the use of natural food colors in food & beverage applications, increasing consumer preference for organic and clean-label products, and general health and wellness trends are expected to drive the demand for natural food colors globally. Beta-carotene, extracted from Dunaliella salina, is a popular natural colorant that provides a yellow-orange hue to food and cosmetic products. Its versatility allows it to be used in a wide range of products, including bakery goods, beverages, functional drinks, coatings, compound seasonings, confectionery, flour products, frozen drinks, cheese, dairy products, margarine, jams, cooked meat products, egg products, jelly, and puffed food products.

The European market for natural food colors is growing due to their health, safety, and sustainability benefits. Consumers’ increasing preference for natural ingredients has encouraged the F&B industry to adopt natural alternatives to synthetic ingredients. Major European importers of natural food colors include Germany, the Netherlands, Spain, Italy, France, the U.K. and Denmark. Thus, the rising need for natural colorants is boosting the demand for Dunaliella salina in Europe, driving the growth of this market.