Global Biocide Market 2025 – 2034

Reports Description

As per the current market research conducted by the CMI Team, the Global Biocide Market is expected to record a CAGR of 4.3% from 2025 to 2034. In 2025, the market size is projected to reach a valuation of USD 9.5 Billion. By 2034, the valuation is anticipated to reach USD 13.8 Billion.

Biocide Market: Overview

According to European legislation, a biocide is any chemical or microorganism that is designed to eliminate, discourage, render harmless, or regulate any dangerous organism. “A diverse group of poisonous substances including preservatives, insecticides, disinfectants, and pesticides used for the control of organisms that are harmful to human or animal health or that cause damage to natural or manufactured products” is how the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) defines biocides, which is a slightly different definition.

Although some veterinary medications and plant protection treatments are included in the US EPA definition, the two meanings generally suggest the same thing when compared. “Pesticides” and “biocides” are frequently used interchangeably, and “plant protection products” is another phrase that is frequently mistaken with them.

To make this clear, biocides and plant protection products are both considered pesticides; the former refers to compounds used for purposes other than food and feed, while the latter refers to substances used for food and feed.

The biocide market is majorly driven by factors such as increasing demand for water treatment solutions, rising awareness of hygiene and infection control and growing food & beverages sector. However, the stringent regulatory framework and environmental and health concerns are expected to restrain the market expansion.

Biocide Market: Growth Factors

Rising demand for water treatment in developing countries

India accounts for 2.45% of the land area and 4% of the world’s water resources but represents 16% of the world’s population. With the present population growth rate (1.9 percent per year), the population is expected to cross the 1.5 billion mark by 2050.

The Planning Commission, Government of India has estimated the water demand increase from 710 BCM (Billion Cubic Meters) in 2010 to almost 1180 BCM in 2050, with domestic and industrial water consumption expected to increase almost 2.5 times. The urbanization trend in India stresses civic authorities’ need to provide basic requirements such as safe drinking water, sanitation, and infrastructure.

The rapid population growth has exerted the demand for potable water, which requires exploring raw water sources and developing treatment and distribution systems. Thus, the growing demand for water treatment in developing countries drives the biocide market over the forecast period.

Increasing demand for eco-friendly biocides

The growing need for ecologically friendly biocides is one of the main factors driving the global biocide market. Growing environmental consciousness and concerns about the impact of chemicals on ecosystems have led to a considerable push for sustainable and eco-friendly alternatives in many industries.

Alternatives that offer effective microbial control with the fewest negative environmental consequences are natural and bio-based biocides, which have grown in popularity. These biocides come from renewable resources, such as microbes, plants, or other organic materials. Because they are often biodegradable, they can break down naturally without leaving behind dangerous environmental residues.

Biocide Market: Challenge

Stringent regulations

Concerns over the effects of these herbicides on species that are not their intended targets The regulations governing the biocides sector are intricate and constantly changing, and they differ between nations and regions. Regulatory agencies impose strict conditions for their approval, registration, and use to guarantee the safety and effectiveness of biocidal products.

Manufacturers may have to invest time and money to meet these criteria, particularly if they are smaller companies with fewer resources. Product launches may be delayed, and expenses may rise due to the stringent testing and documentation procedures needed for regulatory approvals. Therefore, stringent regulations are expected to pose a major challenge to the expansion of the industry.

Biocide Market: Segmentation Analysis

By Product Type:

The halogen compounds segment is expected to dominate the market. This is because biocide formulations contain halogens like iodine, fluorine, and chlorine. Iodophor, another iodine-based substance, increases iodine’s stability and biocidal power. One of the most common halogens, chlorine, is perfect for municipal drinking water plants and wastewater treatment facilities since it works well as an oxidizing and antibacterial agent.

Besides, the organosulfur segment is growing at a rapid rate. Organosulfur biocides are frequently used in evaporative and recirculating water systems to stop the growth of bacteria or algae that causes biofouling. The organosulfur biocide 2-Mercaptobenzothiazole (MBT) is a noteworthy example. These biocides are perfect for non-corrosive applications like cooling water systems because they don’t oxidize and don’t include chlorine. They are also widely used in the automotive, air conditioning, and heavy engineering sectors.

By End Use:

The paints and coatings segment is expected to dominate the market. The accessibility of paints and coatings to bulk handling and storage systems makes them extremely susceptible to microbiological contamination from water and the air. Using biocides in paints and coatings maintains the dry layer, inhibits microbiological development, and ensures in-can preservation, among other crucial purposes.

Additionally, once the paint has dried and the film has been created, biocides prevent the growth of fungi. They are used in paint and coating processes and the treatment of production-related effluent. Thus, producers must incorporate biocides into paints and coatings to stop product degradation.

Besides, the water treatment segment is growing at a rapid rate. The increasing urbanization and the lack of drinking water in some developing areas drive the market growth.

Report Scope

Biocide Market: Regional Analysis

North America is projected to dominate the biocide market. The growing number of end-use industries in the region utilize biocides, which include water treatment, paint, coating, food & beverages, and others. Moreover, the growing demand for water treatment solutions in the area as the investment in water infrastructure is growing rapidly, accelerating the market growth.

For instance, according to data issued by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in October 2023, the organization gave the state of New York more than USD 336 million to support cleaner water throughout the state.

However, the Asia Pacific is growing significantly in the global biocide industry. The growing urbanization is expected to drive regional industry expansion.

Biocide Market: Recent Development

The biocide industry adopted several strategies, which include product launches, acquisitions, collaboration, expansion, and others. Some of the company strategies include:

• In March 2024, Univar Solutions Brasil Ltd., a subsidiary of Univar Solutions LLC, a leading global solutions provider to users of specialty ingredients and chemicals, announced a new distribution agreement with Arxada for a full range of biocides, preservatives, and performance additives used in a variety of industrial applications. The new agreement strengthens Univar Solutions’ product offerings in Brazil’s paints, coatings, and lubricants markets by adding cost-effective and highly versatile antimicrobials and performance additives tailored to preservation and microbial control.

• In April 2024, Specialty chemicals company LANXESS expanded its offering of microbial control products for the oil and gas industry with Aqucar® A 20, a water treatment micro biocide tailored for the long-term preservation of oilfield reservoirs. Aqucar A 20 is a 20% Dimethyloxazolidine (DMO) dilution, providing an optimized concentration for effective performance. It has been approved by the U.S. EPA for use as an oilfield biocide to control or eliminate the growth of microorganisms in oil and gas production systems.

The increasing expansion of the product portfolio and rising agreement among the key players are the strategies that have expanded the company’s market presence in the biocide industry and gained its competitive edge.

List of the prominent players in the Biocide Market:

• Troy Corporation
• Chemtreat Inc.
• Neogen Corporation
• Finoric LLC
• Shanghai Zhongxin Yuxiang Chemicals Co. Ltd.
• Iro Group Inc.
• Hubei Jinghong Chemicals Co. Ltd.
• Wuxi Honor Shine Chemical Co. Ltd.
• Albemarle Corporation
• Lubrizol
• BASF SE
• Solvay SA
• LANXESS AG
• Lonza
• Others

The Biocide Market is segmented as follows:

By Product Type

• Halogen Compounds
• Metallic Compounds
• Organosulfur
• Organic Acids
• Quaternary Ammonium Compounds
• Phenolic
• Nitrogen
• Glutaraldehyde

By End Use

• Water Treatment
• Food & Beverage
• Personal Care
• Wood Preservation
• Paints & Coatings
• Plastics
• HVAC
• Boilers
• Oil & Gas
• Fuels
• Pulp & Paper
• Cleaning Products

Regional Coverage:

North America

• U.S.
• Canada
• Mexico
• Rest of North America

Europe

• Germany
• France
• U.K.
• Russia
• Italy
• Spain
• Netherlands
• Rest of Europe

Asia Pacific

• China
• Japan
• India
• New Zealand
• Australia
• South Korea
• Taiwan
• Rest of Asia Pacific

The Middle East & Africa

• Saudi Arabia
• UAE
• Egypt
• Kuwait
• South Africa
• Rest of the Middle East & Africa

Latin America

• Brazil
• Argentina
• Rest of Latin America