United States Squalene Market

Market Overview:

United States squalene market size reached USD 41.5 Million in 2025. Looking forward, IMARC Group expects the market to reach USD 83.5 Million by 2034, exhibiting a growth rate (CAGR) of 8.08% during 2026-2034. The ongoing R&D activities aimed at discovering new applications for squalene, such as its potential in medical treatments or as a dietary supplement, are driving the market.

United States Squalene Market Analysis:

• Major Market Drivers: United States squalene market share is rising rapidly through biotechnology innovation and sustainable sourcing imperatives. Growing consumer demand for clean beauty products, pharmaceutical applications in vaccine adjuvants, and regulatory support for biomanufacturing accelerate adoption. Precision fermentation technologies enable scalable production from plant-based sources, addressing environmental concerns while meeting rising demand across cosmetics and healthcare sectors.
• Key Market Trends: The shift toward plant-derived and biosynthetic squalene dominates market evolution. Precision-fermentation facilities concentrated in biotechnology hubs produce pharmaceutical-grade materials, while premium skincare brands integrate sustainable alternatives. Regulatory frameworks favor domestic biomanufacturing, reducing dependency on marine sources. Consumer preference for cruelty-free formulations drives innovation in extraction methodologies and United States squalene market outlook remains exceptionally promising.
• Competitive Landscape: The market demonstrates moderate consolidation with established biotechnology firms leading innovation. Domestic producers leverage advanced fermentation techniques and proprietary purification processes to deliver high-purity materials. Strategic partnerships between cosmetic corporations and biotech startups strengthen supply chains. Emerging companies focus on cost-effective production while maintaining quality standards across pharmaceutical and cosmetic applications throughout the competitive landscape.
• Challenges and Opportunities: Supply chain complexities from agricultural feedstock variability present operational challenges alongside high production costs for fermentation-based alternatives. However, expanding pharmaceutical applications for vaccine adjuvants, growing nutraceutical sector demand, and increasing sustainability mandates create significant opportunities. Enhanced production scalability and regulatory support for bio-based ingredients position the United States squalene market forecast for sustained expansion.

Squalene is a natural compound found in various sources, including shark liver oil, olive oil, and some plant-based oils. Chemically classified as triterpene, squalene is a key precursor in the biosynthesis of steroids and essential compounds in the human body. It plays a crucial role in maintaining skin hydration and elasticity. Squalene is widely used in the cosmetic and skincare industry for its moisturizing properties, as it helps prevent water loss from the skin and promotes a smooth, supple texture. Additionally, squalene has been investigated for its potential health benefits, such as antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. In recent years, there has been a shift toward sustainable and plant-derived sources of squalene to address environmental concerns associated with harvesting it from shark liver oil.

United States Squalene Market Trends:

Biotechnological Production Advancement

The United States leads global innovation in biotechnology-driven squalene production through precision fermentation methodologies. Concentrated research facilities across major biotechnology corridors, particularly the San Francisco Bay Area and Boston, develop scalable synthetic routes that eliminate agricultural limitations. These advanced bioprocesses deliver pharmaceutical-grade purity exceeding traditional extraction methods while maintaining consistent quality standards. Yeast-based fermentation platforms utilize genetically optimized strains achieving enhanced productivity through metabolic pathway engineering. The executive commitment to transitioning domestic chemical manufacturing toward bioproduction by the coming decades creates favorable policy frameworks supporting infrastructure development. Manufacturing facilities implement controlled bioprocesses generating repeatable purity specifications below residual solvent thresholds required for vaccine adjuvants and lipid nanoparticle delivery systems. This technological sophistication positions domestic producers to capture pharmaceutical market segments demanding stringent quality compliance while addressing sustainability requirements.

Regulatory Framework Supporting Sustainable Sourcing

Federal environmental policies actively discourage marine-derived inputs, creating momentum toward plant-based and synthetic alternatives throughout the cosmetics and pharmaceutical industries. Regulatory classifications under environmental protection frameworks reduce compliance friction for biosynthetic materials, encouraging domestic manufacturers to transition production methods. The strategic emphasis on developing bio-based supply chains aligns with broader sustainability goals across government agencies, channeling grants toward scale-up infrastructure for fermentation facilities. Pharmaceutical regulatory pathways recognize the biocompatibility advantages of plant-derived materials in vaccine formulations and therapeutic applications. Industry stakeholders benefit from streamlined approval processes for sustainable alternatives while maintaining safety and efficacy standards. This regulatory environment accelerates market adoption by reducing barriers to entry for innovative production technologies. Consumer advocacy for ethical sourcing reinforces policy developments, creating alignment between commercial interests and environmental stewardship objectives that reshape ingredient selection across personal care and healthcare sectors.

Pharmaceutical Application Expansion

The pharmaceutical sector increasingly specifies high-purity squalene for advanced drug delivery platforms and vaccine adjuvant systems. Clinical applications requiring precise emulsion formulations drive demand for materials meeting pharmaceutical manufacturing standards. Biotechnology companies secure long-term supply agreements with pharmaceutical manufacturers developing lipid-based delivery vehicles for oncology and infectious disease therapeutics. Vaccine production facilities incorporate squalene-based adjuvants enhancing immune response efficacy, particularly for influenza and emerging disease prevention programs. The integration into nanoparticle delivery systems supports cutting-edge therapeutic development requiring biocompatible lipid components. Research institutions collaborate with ingredient suppliers to optimize formulation parameters for novel medical applications. This pharmaceutical growth trajectory creates premium market segments commanding higher pricing while establishing sustained demand channels. The convergence of biotechnology innovation with healthcare needs positions squalene as an essential component in next-generation medical technologies requiring sophisticated ingredient specifications and reliable supply chains.

United States Squalene Market Segmentation:

IMARC Group provides an analysis of the key trends in each segment of the market, along with forecasts at the country level for 2026-2034. Our report has categorized the market based on source type and application.

Source Type Insights:

• Animal
• Vegetable
• Synthetic

The report has provided a detailed breakup and analysis of the market based on the source type. This includes animal, vegetable, and synthetic.

Application Insights:

• Cosmetics
• Food
• Pharmaceuticals
• Others

A detailed breakup and analysis of the market based on the application have also been provided in the report. This includes cosmetics, food, pharmaceuticals, and others.

Regional Insights:

• Northeast
• Midwest
• South
• West

The report has also provided a comprehensive analysis of all the major regional markets, which include Northeast, Midwest, South, and West.

Competitive Landscape:

The market research report has also provided a comprehensive analysis of the competitive landscape. Competitive analysis such as market structure, key 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.

United States Squalene Market Report Coverage:

Key Benefits for Stakeholders:

• IMARC’s industry report offers a comprehensive quantitative analysis of various market segments, historical and current market trends, market forecasts, and dynamics of the United States squalene market from 2020-2034.
• The research report provides the latest information on the market drivers, challenges, and opportunities in the United States squalene market.
• 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 United States squalene 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.