India Used Cooking Oil Market

Market Overview:

The India used cooking oil market size reached 3.4 Million Tons in 2024. Looking forward, IMARC Group expects the market to reach 4.4 Million Tons by 2033, exhibiting a growth rate (CAGR) of 2.79% during 2025-2033. The considerable growth in the food service industry, escalating demand for biofuels, and growing consumer awareness regarding the adverse effects of consuming food cooked in reused oil represent some of the key factors driving the market.

The Considerable Growth in the Food Service Industry is Augmenting the Market Growth

The used cooking oil market has been experiencing continuous growth. The food service industry employs significant quantities of cooking oil for frying purposes, which has resulted in a substantial increase in the volume of used cooking oil generated. In line with this, rapid urbanization is leading to a paradigm shift towards higher consumption of processed and packaged food. Furthermore, the rise of the middle class has resulted in an increase in eating out and a surge in the number of restaurants, hotels, and fast-food chains in urban areas, which is also propelling the market. Additionally, the emergence of specialized companies offering services to collect and recycle used cooking oil is creating a demand for collection and recycling services. By providing collection services to the food service industry, these companies have enabled the industry to sell their used cooking oil and generate a new revenue stream.

Competitive analysis such as market structure, market share by key players, player positioning, top winning strategies, competitive dashboard, and company evaluation quadrant has been covered in the report. Also, detailed profiles of all major companies have been provided. The market structure is concentrated with the presence of a few players in the industry, due to the intense competition among them for attaining a higher market share. The volume of new entrants is moderate in the India used cooking oil industry due to the presence of sub-optimal processing infrastructure, high capital investments for biodiesel processing units, and ill-defined biodiesel distribution channels.

What is Used Cooking Oil?

Used cooking oils (UCOs) include vegetable oils like canola oil, soybean oil, and corn oil, and animal-based fats like lard and tallow that have already been used for frying or cooking food previously. In comparison to fresh oil, used cooking oil is generally darker in color and has a distinct smell. In addition, its smoke point is lower than fresh oil, and it contains impurities, such as food particles and water. Even though used cooking oil can be reused for frying multiple times, it is important to maintain its quality by removing impurities and cleaning it between uses. Due to its ability to be converted into biodiesel, it can be used as a sustainable source of energy. Additionally, it can be recycled to make soap, which reduces waste volume in landfills.

COVID-19 Impact:

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on various sectors, including the used cooking oil (UCO) industry and the food processing industry. Measures to contain the spread of COVID-19, such as the closure of food services, reduction of transport services, and trade restrictions, have caused disruptions in both domestic and international supply chains. The enforced shutdown of these industries resulted in a decrease in the collection volume of UCO. Along with lower demand, complications in logistics and port clearance due to health and safety measures negatively impacted the supply chain. Additionally, the unavailability of used cooking oil as a feedstock, along with reductions in various industrial activities, led to a drop in demand for biodiesel fuel in numerous end-use industries. However, in the second half of 2020, the gradual lifting of restrictions and resuming of business operations in various sectors has led to the reopening of food business operations and renewed production of cooking oil. In the long run, the market is expected to grow at a stable growth rate.

India Used Cooking Oil Market Trends:

The market in India is primarily driven by the escalating demand for biofuels across the country. This can be attributed to an enhanced focus on reducing carbon emissions and adopting sustainable energy resources. In line with this, the growing recycling of used cooking oil due to the growing consumer awareness regarding the adverse effects of consuming food cooked in reused oil is providing an impetus to the market. Moreover, stringent regulations imposed by the Indian government regarding the disposal of used cooking oil into the environment is providing an impetus to the market. Besides this, favorable initiatives such as tax rebates, subsidies, and financial incentives to encourage the collection and recycling of used cooking oil is resulting in an increase in the supply of used cooking oil for conversion into biofuels. The increasing adoption of sustainable practices among restaurants and food service providers recycling their used cooking oil to reduce their carbon footprint is also driving the product demand as an efficient feedstock source. Some of the other factors contributing to the market include rapid industrialization, growing consumption of ready-to-eat and processed food, rising environmental concerns, depletion of fossil fuels and rising fuel costs, and extensive research and development (R&D) activities.

Key Market Segmentation:

IMARC Group provides an analysis of the key trends in each sub-segment of the India used cooking oil market report, along with forecasts at the country and regional level from 2025-2033. Our report has categorized the market based on source and application.

Source Insights:

• Food Processing Industry
• HoReCa
• Household
• Others

The report has provided a detailed breakup and analysis of the India used cooking oil market based on the source. This includes food processing industry, HoReCa, household, and others. According to the report, food processing industry represented the largest segment due to the rising consumption of take-away and on-the-go food products. In addition, the expansion of fast food chains, hotels and quick service restaurants (QSRs) are fueling the segment growth.

Application Insights:

• Biodiesel
• Oleochemicals
• Animal Feed
• Others

A detailed breakup and analysis of the India used cooking oil market based on the application has also been provided in the report. This includes biodiesel, oleochemicals, animal feed, and others. According to the report, biodiesel accounted for the largest market share as it is a sustainable energy resource with minimal environmental impacts. Moreover, an enhanced focus on reduction of carbon footprint, landfill and pollution are further fueling the segment growth. 

Regional Insights:

• North India
• West and Central India
• South India
• East India

The report has also provided a comprehensive analysis of all the major regional markets, which include North, West and Central, South, and East India. According to the report, South India was the largest market for used cooking oil. Some of the factors driving the South India used cooking oil market included the considerable growth in the food service industry, continual technological advancements in recycling methods, introduction of favorable initiatives promoting and incentivizing oil collection and recycling.

Competitive Landscape:

The report has also provided a comprehensive analysis of the competitive landscape in the India used cooking oil market. Some of the companies covered in the report include:

• Aris Bioenergy Private Limited
• Biod Energy (India) Private Limited
• Bluestone Energy
• Eco Green Fuels
• Gogreen Bioenergy India Pvt Ltd
• K Nandini Refineries
• Muenzer Bharat Pvt. Ltd.
• Northern Biofuels Private Limited
• Veolia Environment
• Zomato

Please note that this only represents a partial list of companies, and the complete list has been provided in the report.

Report Coverage:

Key Benefits for Stakeholders:

• IMARC’s report offers a comprehensive quantitative analysis of various market segments, historical and current market trends, market forecasts, and dynamics of the India used cooking oil market from 2019-2033.
• The research study provides the latest information on the market drivers, challenges, and opportunities in the India used cooking oil market.
• The study maps the leading, as well as the fastest-growing, regional markets. It further enables stakeholders to identify the key country-level markets within each region.
• Porter's five forces analysis assist stakeholders in assessing the impact of new entrants, competitive rivalry, supplier power, buyer power, and the threat of substitution. It helps stakeholders to analyze the level of competition within the India used cooking oil industry and its attractiveness.
• Competitive landscape allows stakeholders to understand their competitive environment and provides an insight into the current positions of key players in the market.