United Kingdom Biocatalysts Market Size Analysis Report - Market Share, Forecast Trends and Outlook (2025-2034)

United Kingdom Biocatalysts Market Growth

The United Kingdom biocatalysts market is expected to witness sharp growth due to the rising demand from the pharmaceutical sector and the growing adoption of biofuels. Biocatalysts are also used in the development of precision and personalised drug treatments when combined with technologies such as enzyme engineering. Compared to chemical catalysts, biocatalysts are extremely sustainable and highly preferred for the manufacturing of “green” pharmaceutical products.

Their ability to operate under mild conditions reduces the use of harmful chemicals as ingredients and their generation as by-products. According to the Association of British Pharmaceutical Industry (ABPI), United Kingdom currently has over 3,000 pharmaceutical companies, which generated a total turnover of EUR 46.7 billion between 2021 and 2022. Besides, their combined exports earned EUR 26.1 billion in 2024. With increased health awareness and the establishment of new pharmaceutical companies, these values are further expected to rise, leading to the growth of the biocatalysts market in United Kingdom.

Key Trends and Recent Developments

Technological advancements, new developments in production processes, and the use of sustainable ingredients are the major trends of United Kingdom biocatalysts market.

March 2024

Biocatalysts Ltd., a Brain Biotech Group company, expanded its production capacity at its Cardiff manufacturing site in Southwestern Wales, United Kingdom by adding a large, commercial-scale freeze-drying facility. This new facility enabled greater customisation and ensured a precise formulation of enzymes, especially for life sciences and biotechnology sectors.

March 2022

A Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) project between Sterling Pharma Solutions, a leading UK pharmaceutical manufacturer, and Northumbria University was awarded the top grade of ‘Outstanding’ by Innovate UK’s independent assessors. The project created new knowledge and expertise in biocatalysis to enable Sterling Pharma to identify and apply natural and engineered enzymes and accelerate and upscale the synthesis of pharmaceutical drugs and products in a sustainable way.

June 2021

UK-based engineering company WHP completed the design and structure of the state-of-the-art enzyme manufacturing facility for Biocatalysts Ltd, one of the leading suppliers of biocatalysts in the country. The design boasted a 10,000-litre geometric volume microbial fermentation facility, which will be used to manufacture fermented proteins and enzymes for the food, pharmaceutical, and other sectors within a fully aseptic environment.

Technological Advancements Leading to the United Kingdom Biocatalysts Market Development

Technological advancements such as enzyme engineering and protein design are propelling the development of the United Kingdom biocatalysts market. These enable the creation of enzymes customised and tailored to suit the needs of specific industrial processes and complete the same with precision and efficiency. Besides, they allow the optimisation of biocatalysts, making them more scalable and adaptable to mild conditions, which creates fewer harmful by-products. The flexibility, precision, and sustainability of these technologies have prompted enhanced research efforts towards their development. For instance, researchers at the Manchester Institute of Biotechnology (MIB) and the Institute for Protein Design (IPD) launched a fully integrated computational and experimental platform that employed the latest deep-learning protein design tools to accelerate the development of new biocatalysts across the chemical industry domain in May 2024.

New Developments in the Biocatalysts Production Process Supporting the Growth of United Kingdom Biocatalysts Market

Novel developments in biocatalysts production processes are enhancing the efficiency, productivity and growth of the market. For instance, advanced fermentation processes employed recently by market players have been known to improve the efficiency and scalability of biocatalyst production, enabling higher yields at lower costs. Developments in downstream processing, including effective purification techniques, have reduced production costs and increased the commercial viability of biocatalysts across industries. In a similar effort, a few scientists at the University of Birmingham highlighted the use of polymers to enhance the process of biofilm formation by microorganisms, which is essential for the biocatalysis process. Such efforts are expected to enhance the supply of biocatalysts across industries in the United Kingdom.

Relevant Research Partnerships Fueling the United Kingdom Biocatalysts Market Expansion

Research partnerships among key industry players are fuelling innovation in the biocatalysts market, leading to its overall expansion across industrial domains. Academic institutions and universities, known for their innovative research on biosciences are increasingly collaborating with industry players to develop groundbreaking technologies and processes for biocatalysis. For instance, UK-based John Matthey, a pioneer in sustainable technologies announced its partnership with Basecamp Research, in December 2023, to search for the right biocatalyst solutions that small molecule manufacturers can use for new product development. The partnership will improve the quality and scope of biocatalysts used frequently in the chemical industry.

Use of Sustainable Ingredients Fuelling the United Kingdom Biocatalysts Market Revenue

Growing environmental concerns and emphasis on “Green Chemistry” are propelling industrialists to shift towards using more sustainable ingredients in biocatalytic processes. Researchers have replaced traditional biocatalyst ingredients with eco-friendly alternatives derived from bio-based resources such as feedstocks, plant biomass, and other kinds of agricultural waste. For instance, AstraZeneca published a research report in collaboration with the University of Manchester in which two enzymes, carboxylic acid reductase and acyltransferase catalyse the formation of amides for the pharmaceutical industry using a wide variety of carboxylic acids and amines, without the requirement of high temperature or hazardous solvents. The enzymes used for the purpose were sustainably produced and biodegradable. Such efforts are ensuring the long-term sustainability of the United Kingdom biocatalysts market.

United Kingdom Biocatalysts Market Trends

Government funding for innovative projects in the field of biocatalysis is creating new opportunities for market players. These funds, through various grants, subsidies, and schemes, are fuelling the development and discoveries of new enzymes suitable for different industries including food processing, and pharmaceutical. A few of these initiatives include the Innovate UK program and the UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), which are known for supporting projects focused on sustainable biocatalyst technologies.

For instance, the UK Research and Innovation Technology Missions Fund provided EUR 13.5 million in funds, delivered by Innovate UK, for 48 bioscience and engineering projects in the fields of health, environment, food production and sustainability. These included biocatalyst-associated projects such as the Continuous Oscillating Baffled Reactor-with-biocatalysts-for Accelerated-reactions (COBRA) project led by Impact Solutions and the University of Edinburgh. This project will develop a novel lab-scale reactor that is 10 times faster than traditional stirred tank reactors and of a unique design which facilitates thorough mixing and mass transfer in biocatalyst immobilization processes.

United Kingdom Biocatalysts Industry Segmentation

“United Kingdom Biocatalysts Market Report and Forecast 2025-2034” offers a detailed analysis of the market based on the following segments:

Market Breakup by Type

• Hydrolases
• Oxidoreductases
• Transferases
• Others

Market Breakup by Source

• Microorganisms
• Plants
• Animals

Market Breakup by Application

• Food and Beverages
• Cleaning Agent
• Biofuel Production
• Agriculture and Feed
• Biopharmaceuticals
• Others

Market Breakup by Region

• England
• Wales
• Northern-Ireland
• Scotland

United Kingdom Biocatalysts Market Share

New Discoveries Increasing the Share of Hydrolase Enzymes in the Biocatalysts Market in United Kingdom

Novel discoveries are enhancing the supply of hydrolase-based biocatalysts, thereby increasing their overall share in the market. For instance, Biocatalysts Ltd. launched their new hydrolase enzyme, Nuclease 46L for the degradation of different types of nucleic acids, thus providing a cost-effective solution for the elimination of DNA in a plethora of biotechnological applications. Such developments are ideal for meeting the demand for biocatalysts in the microbial or precision fermentation industry.

Besides, the share for oxidoreductase is also rising gradually in the UK due to the growing demand from the textile industry. According to recent estimates by the UK Fashion and Textile Association, the textile industry contributed EUR 62 billion to the national economy in 2023. Research studies have shown that oxidoreductase enhances the cotton whitening process for cotton fibre bleaching and dyeing, broadening their scope of application in the textile manufacturing process.

Food and Beverages Industry Accounts for the Highest Share of Biocatalysts Applications in the Country

As per the United Kingdom biocatalysts market report, the food and beverages industry finds the highest application for biocatalysts, particularly for flavour enhancements, texturisation, breakdown of complex sugars and fats, and the improvement of product quality as well as shelf life. In the production of beverages, biocatalysts play a significant role in brewing, juice clarification, and lactose reduction in dairy products. According to the Food and Drink Federation of the UK, the food industry output in the United Kingdom was valued at EUR 33 billion with a total turnover of EUR 128 billion. Out of this, EUR 113 billion was generated through domestic sales and EUR 35 billion was generated through exports. With the growing food demand in the United Kingdom and the entire global West, the food and beverages industry is expected to rise sharply, propelling the growth of biocatalyst demand in the country.

Similarly, biocatalysts also play a crucial role in enhancing the process of converting biomass into biofuels, especially biodiesel and bioethanol. The UK Government in its Renewable Transport Fuel Obligations (RTFO) Amendment Order, 2024 proposed to increase the RTFO obligation for the transport sector from the initial 9.6% to 14.6% by 2032, especially by increasing the adoption of biofuels. To achieve this target, the government is also encouraging the use of biocatalysts which are known to enhance the production of biofuels used commonly in vehicles.

United Kingdom Biocatalysts Market Regional Analysis

Increased Use of Biofuels and Government-funded Research are Significantly Contributing to Biocatalyst Production in Northern Ireland

In 2022, biofuels accounted for 96.6% of the total renewable energy fuel consumption in Northern Ireland’s transport sector. Its demand has increased since, as the government raised the obligation on the final consumption of renewable energy fuel from 9% to 14% by 2030. To achieve this objective and meet the overall demand growth for biofuels, suppliers are rapidly increasing their production levels across the country, thereby increasing the biocatalysts demand essential for enhancing the process.

Besides, England is also witnessing a high demand for biocatalysts due to the growth of the industrial sector and the need for greener, more sustainable industrial processes. Government reports suggest that out of the nine major industrial regions across the UK, London had shown the largest growth in the third quarter of 2022, accounting for 0.9% of the total share. With rapid urbanisation, this value is expected to grow at a faster pace in the coming years, which will raise the demand for efficient biocatalysts across the country’s industrial domain.

Competitive Landscape

United Kingdom biocatalysts market key players are encouraging the adoption of bio-based solutions across several industrial sectors to enhance their sustainability and long-term growth. Most of these bio-based solutions use biocatalysts or bioenzymes to catalyse the production process in an eco-friendly manner, operating in mild conditions and not producing any harmful remains. By increasing the supply of highly developed biocatalysts in the market, key players are aiming to achieve a greener future for the region’s industrial domain.

Novonesis Group (Novozymes A/S)

Novonesis Group came into existence with the merger of Chr. Hansen and Novoenzymes in January 2024. Its primary focus is to provide bio-solutions for a variety of industries including food, animal nutrients, healthcare, and biofuel production. Most of its solutions are based on the use of biocatalysts and bioenzymes which sustainably upscales the manufacturing capacities in each of these industries, without leaving any harmful substrate behind.

Codexis, Inc.

Codexis, a U.S.-based bioenzyme engineering firm, was founded in 2002 with a focus on developing tailored and targeted biocatalysts for the manufacturing of sustainable active pharmaceutical ingredients (API). These enzymes are engineered to execute effective disease treatments and create accurate molecular diagnostics of chronically ill patients. The firm has teams in the U.S. and Europe working together to promote the commercial production of pharmaceuticals, fine chemicals, and industrial processes.

BRAIN Biotech AG (Biocatalysts Ltd.)

BRAIN Biotech AG (Biocatalysts Ltd.) is the parent company of the Germany-based BRAIN Biotech Group. It is a leading European supplier of bio-based products, including enzymes, proteins, and microbial production strains. Its main business activities are divided into three segments: BioProducts, which includes specialty enzymes and proteins, BioScience, which focuses on research-intensive custom enzyme-based solutions, and BioIncubator, which oversees its R&D projects. The firm has nearly 600 products, 40 active patent families, and over 200 development partnerships.

HydRegen Limited

HydRegen Limited, a U.K.-based firm founded in 2020, offers bio-based manufacturing soultions for hydrgenation processes, one of the most crucial processes applied in chemical industries. It primarily focuses on two products - replacing metal catalysts with biocatalysts operating under mild temperature and pressure conditions, for hydrogenation reactions and improving the implementation of biocatalysis to enhance the adoption of bio-based feedstocks in the market.

Other key players considered in the United Kingdom biocatalysts market report are Prozomix Limited, Sterling Pharma Solutions Limited, Almac Group Limited, and Amano Enzyme Inc., among others.