Biocides Market Expected to Reach $13.1 Billion by 2033

According to a new report published by Allied Market Research, titled, “Biocides Market," The biocides market was valued at $8.6 billion in 2023, and is estimated to reach $13.1 billion by 2033, growing at a CAGR of 4.4% from 2024 to 2033.

Introduction

Biocides are substances or microorganisms specifically designed to control, inhibit, or destroy harmful organisms such as bacteria, fungi, viruses, algae, and pests. They are widely used across various industries to ensure hygiene, prevent contamination, and protect materials from biological degradation. Common applications of biocides include disinfectants for healthcare and household use, preservatives in food and personal care products, pest control agents in agriculture, and treatments in industrial water systems to manage microbial growth. Moreover, biocides play a critical role in maintaining health and safety standards.

Market Dynamics

As global populations grow and urbanization intensifies, the need for safe, potable water and efficient management of wastewater has become more critical. Biocides play a vital role in water treatment processes by controlling microbial contamination, preventing biofouling, and ensuring the overall quality of water systems. This is particularly important in both municipal and industrial settings, where the presence of harmful microorganisms poses significant health risks. In water treatment facilities, biocides are essential for maintaining clean water by controlling pathogens, bacteria, algae, and other microorganisms that may compromise water quality. For instance, biocides such as chlorine and other disinfectants are widely used in drinking water treatment plants to kill harmful bacteria and viruses that makes water safe for consumption. All these factors drive the demand for the biocides market during the forecast period.

However, the regulatory approval process for biocides is stringent and varies across regions that increases the financial cost of biocides. Regulatory authorities, such as the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA), require detailed documentation and testing to ensure that biocides are safe for humans, animals, and the environment. This process takes several years and involves considerable fees for registration, testing, and compliance with local regulations. As a result, manufacturers face long lead times before their products are approved for market use, impacting profitability and market entry. These high development and registration costs create a significant barrier to the introduction of new biocidal products, particularly for smaller companies with limited resources. All these factors hamper the biocides market growth.

Governments are increasingly promoting green chemistry and providing incentives for the development of safe and sustainable alternatives. At the same time, consumers are becoming more aware of the environmental and health implications of the products they use, leading businesses to adopt eco-friendly solutions to meet market expectations. This trend presents an opportunity for companies to differentiate themselves and opens new markets for innovative, sustainable biocide products. All these factors are anticipated to offer new growth opportunities for the biocides market during the forecast period.

Segments Overview

Biocides market is segmented on the basis of type, end-use industry, and region. On the basis of type, the market is bifurcated into oxidizing biocides and non-oxidizing biocides. As per end-use industry, the market is classified into personal care, food and beverage, home care, construction, agriculture, healthcare, water treatment, paints and coatings, and others. Region-wise, the market is analyzed across North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and LAMEA.

On the basis of type, the market is bifurcated into oxidizing biocides and non-oxidizing biocides. The non-oxidizing biocides segment is anticipated to grow at the fastest CAGR of 4.6% during the forecast period. This growth is attributed to the increasing demand for efficient and targeted microbial control solutions in industries such as water treatment, oil and gas, and personal care. Non-oxidizing biocides are favored due to their ability to selectively inhibit microbial growth without causing corrosion or degradation of materials.

On the basis of end-use industry, the market is classified into personal care, food and beverage, home care, construction, agriculture, healthcare, water treatment, paints and coatings, and others. The personal care segment is anticipated to grow at the fastest CAGR of 5.4% during the forecast period. This growth is driven by the increasing demand for hygiene and personal care products, which require biocides for preservation and protection against microbial contamination. The rising consumer awareness about personal hygiene, coupled with advancements in biocidal formulations that enhance product safety and shelf life, further propels the growth of this segment.

Regional Analysis

Region-wise, the market is analyzed across North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and LAMEA. The Asia-Pacific is anticipated to grow at the fastest CAGR of 3.9% during the forecast period. This growth is driven by increasing demand across various end-use industries such as water treatment, paints and coatings, and personal care products. Rapid urbanization and industrialization in countries such as China, India, and Southeast Asian nations are boosting the need for effective microbial control solutions. In addition, growing awareness of hygiene and sanitation, coupled with supportive government regulations, further drive the biocides market

Key players in the biocides market include BASF SE, Clariant, Solvay S.A., Ecolab, LANXESS, THOR Group Limited, Stepan Company, Kemira, Arkema S.A., and Evonik Industries AG.

Key Findings

• By type, non-oxidizing biocides was the highest revenue contributor to the market accounting for less than three-fifths of global biocides market share in 2023.
• On the basis of end-use industry, the water treatment segment was the highest revenue contributor to the global biocides market share in 2023.
• Region-wise, Asia-pacific was the highest revenue contributor of global biocides market share in 2023.