Single Cell Protein Market By Source (Algae, Yeast, Fungi, Bacteria); By Application (Animal Feed, Human Food, Others); By End User (Food & Beverage, Animal Nutrition, Biotech Firms, Nutraceuticals); By Geography, Segment Revenue Estimation, Forecast, 2024–2030

Introduction And Strategic Context

The Global Single Cell Protein Market is expected to register steady momentum between 2024 and 2030, driven by the rising pressure to find scalable, sustainable, and high-protein alternatives to traditional food and feed sources. According to Strategic Market Research, the market is valued at approximately USD 9.7 Billion in 2024 and is projected to grow at a CAGR of 8.3%, reaching around USD 15.6 Billion by 2030.

 

At its core, single cell protein (SCP) refers to protein-rich biomass derived from unicellular organisms like algae, yeast, fungi, and bacteria. These protein sources are cultivated through fermentation or biomass cultivation processes and are increasingly gaining traction across the food, feed, and nutraceutical sectors.

 

What makes SCP strategically relevant today? Several converging macro factors. For one, global protein demand is spiking — not just for human consumption but across livestock, aquaculture, and pet food chains. Traditional protein sources such as soy and fishmeal are being scrutinized for their environmental toll, price volatility, and scalability issues. SCP offers an alternative that’s not only decoupled from arable land but also significantly less resource-intensive.

 

Also, the synthetic biology ecosystem is evolving rapidly. Biotech startups and industrial biotech firms are now engineering strains that yield higher protein concentrations, tailored amino acid profiles, and even flavor enhancements. That’s turning SCP from a feed-grade fallback into a competitive ingredient for premium food applications — including plant-based meats, high-performance nutrition, and even astronaut meals.

 

On the regulatory front, momentum is building. Regions like the EU and North America are streamlining approval pathways for novel food ingredients. Singapore’s early regulatory clearance for microbial proteins is a signal of where global norms may head.

 

In parallel, climate-conscious investors are backing companies with carbon-negative or circular economy SCP models. Some players are even capturing industrial CO2 or methane to feed their microbial cultures — flipping emissions into edible biomass.

 

Stakeholders across the board are now engaged. Original equipment manufacturers are building modular bioreactors. Food and beverage conglomerates are testing SCP in protein bars, dairy analogs, and snacks. Animal nutrition firms are piloting SCP-based feeds to reduce their fishmeal dependency. And governments are beginning to frame SCP as part of their food security and decarbonization agendas.

 

To be candid, what started as a fringe solution to protein scarcity is now being pulled into the center of the sustainability conversation — not just as a supplement, but as a core strategy.

 

Market Segmentation And Forecast Scope

The Global Single Cell Protein Market is shaped by four major segmentation layers that reflect its evolving applications, production technologies, and end-user priorities. These segments are not just helpful for structuring demand analysis — they’re critical for spotting high-margin growth areas and R&D hotspots.

By source

The first and most defining segment is the biological source of the protein:

• Algae : Known for high protein yield and micronutrient content. Used in both food and feed.

• Yeast : Popular in animal feed and emerging in functional foods.

• Fungi : Especially filamentous fungi like Fusarium used in mycoprotein (e.g., meat substitutes).

• Bacteria : Industrially cultivated, often from waste gases, with fast growth rates and high protein output.

Among these, bacterial SCP is projected to show the fastest CAGR from 2024 to 2030, fueled by the rise of gas-fed bioreactors and carbon recycling startups. Still, fungal SCP remains dominant in volume terms, thanks to its established use in commercial meat alternatives.

 

By Application

This segmentation reflects where SCP is used:

• Animal Feed : The largest and most mature segment. Includes poultry, aquaculture, livestock, and pet food.

• Human Food : A fast-emerging category, including plant-based products, protein powders, and fortified snacks.

• Others : Includes bio-based materials and industrial enzyme production.

In 2024, animal feed is estimated to account for over 60% of total market share. That said, human food applications are scaling fast — especially in developed markets focused on climate-conscious diets and functional nutrition.

 

By End User

This category breaks down the industrial consumers:

• Food and Beverage Companies

• Animal Nutrition Providers

• Biotech Firms

• Agricultural Co-operatives

While animal nutrition providers lead in volume uptake, biotech firms are expected to drive value — particularly those developing customized SCP strains with specific health or environmental benefits.

 

By Region

The global outlook is split across:

• North America

• Europe

• Asia Pacific

• Latin America, Middle East & Africa (LAMEA)

In 2024, Europe is set to lead due to early regulatory approvals and strong plant-based food innovation ecosystems. But by 2030, Asia Pacific could emerge as the growth engine — especially as demand for aquaculture feed and protein-rich human diets intensifies in China, India, and Southeast Asia.

 

Scope Note:

Although the segmentation appears technical, it’s turning increasingly commercial. For instance, some companies now offer SCP bundled with functional additives (like omega-3s), while others license proprietary microbial strains to local producers. This kind of modular value creation is redefining how segmentation informs go-to-market strategies.

 

Market Trends And Innovation Landscape

The Global Single Cell Protein Market is no longer just a science experiment in a lab — it's now a playground of advanced bioengineering, industrial fermentation, and climate tech convergence. Innovation across this space is moving from academic to commercial with surprising speed. Here’s what’s shaping the next wave of breakthroughs between 2024 and 2030.

Precision Fermentation Is Moving Into Prime Time

Many of the newer SCP players are no longer growing wild strains. Instead, they're engineering microbes to express custom nutritional profiles, better textures, or even flavors. Using CRISPR and synthetic biology, startups are programming microbial platforms that can replicate egg white protein, dairy casein, or specific amino acid chains.

One emerging trend? Modular protein design. Companies are building SCP strains that not only hit protein targets but also offer added bioactives — like B12, DHA, or prebiotic fibers — essentially turning SCP into a multifunctional ingredient.

 

Industrial Gases Are the New Feedstock

In the quest for climate-positive production, some companies are skipping sugar-based fermentation altogether. Instead, they’re cultivating microbes using CO2, methane, or hydrogen as feedstock — dramatically reducing land use and emissions. These gas-fed SCP systems are being piloted in steel mills, biogas plants, and even wastewater facilities.

If this scales, we’re looking at a protein source that’s decoupled from agriculture entirely — one that grows from waste gases, not farmland.

 

Mycoprotein 2.0

While fungal SCP has been around for decades, recent R&D is making it smarter and more scalable. Companies are optimizing fungal morphology for better texture, moisture retention, and flavor absorption — all critical for meat analogs. At the same time, large-scale solid-state fermentation is gaining traction, offering a low-water, low-energy pathway.

Some innovators are pairing mycoprotein with AI-designed flavor enhancers, speeding up formulation cycles for ready-to-eat applications.

 

Regulatory Greenlights Are Accelerating

Several countries — including Singapore, the Netherlands, and Canada — are creating dedicated frameworks for novel proteins. This includes fast-tracked pathways for SCP derived from non-GMO microbial strains, provided they meet toxicity and allergenicity thresholds. The U.S. FDA’s GRAS approvals are also expanding to cover SCP strains beyond yeast and fungi.

Expect broader global acceptance of SCP as a food ingredient by 2030, especially as food security pressures mount.

 

Hardware is Catching Up

Innovation isn't just biological — it's physical. Bioreactor manufacturers are building compact, continuous-flow systems with higher yields and better contamination control. Some systems are now containerized, enabling on-site SCP production at aquaculture farms, disaster zones, or space missions.

This trend could unlock localized protein production, cutting transportation emissions and offering resilience during supply chain shocks.

 

Strategic Collaborations Are Surging

We’re seeing unusual partnerships emerge:

• Biotech startups teaming with pet food giants

• Farming co-ops licensing SCP fermenters

• Airlines funding SCP as part of net-zero food strategies

These partnerships are not only diversifying applications but also validating SCP’s cross-industry appeal — from human health to planetary health.

 

Competitive Intelligence And Benchmarking

The Global Single Cell Protein Market has attracted a diverse lineup of players — from synthetic biology pioneers to legacy feed producers now pivoting into microbial proteins. What's clear is that companies in this space are no longer just competing on yield or cost. They’re competing on platform scalability, regulatory readiness, and increasingly, carbon performance.

Calysta

This U.S.-based company has become one of the most recognized names in bacterial SCP. Its methane-fed protein, branded as FeedKind, is primarily targeted at aquaculture and pet food markets. Calysta has built large-scale production partnerships in Asia, including joint ventures in China, where demand for sustainable aquafeed is soaring.

The company’s biggest strength? Its low-input, closed-loop process that uses methane as a feedstock — giving it a major sustainability edge.

 

Unibio

Based in Denmark, Unibio has commercialized a patented U-Loop® fermenter that converts natural gas into bacterial SCP. The firm focuses on licensing its tech to producers in regions with abundant gas resources but limited protein production. Recent deals in the Middle East and Africa are positioning Unibio as a platform provider, not just a product company.

Unibio’s go-to-market strategy is all about scalability through licensing — a smart move in capital-constrained but resource-rich geographies.

 

Quorn Foods (Owned by Monde Nissin)

Quorn is the most established mycoprotein brand globally, with decades of experience selling fungal SCP products across Europe, the U.S., and Australia. While originally launched as a meat replacement, the company is now branching into snacks, ready meals, and even protein powders.

What sets Quorn apart is consumer trust. It owns one of the only microbial protein brands with global retail recognition, giving it leverage as new competitors enter the space.

 

Solar Foods

This Finnish startup is among the most watched in the sector. It cultivates protein using CO2, water, and electricity, branding its product as Solein ®. Solar Foods is targeting food, space missions, and even humanitarian use cases. With regulatory approval already secured in Singapore, it’s among the first gas-based SCPs cleared for human consumption.

Solar Foods stands out for its climate-positive narrative — offering a protein product that’s untethered from agriculture, transportation, or seasonality.

 

KnipBio

A biotech firm focused on aquaculture, KnipBio engineers proprietary microbial strains with targeted amino acid profiles for fish and shrimp feed. Its single-cell protein has undergone feed trials with multiple aquaculture players, and it's building momentum as an alternative to fishmeal.

Rather than competing on volume, KnipBio competes on nutritional customization — a high-margin approach in specialty feed markets.

 

Deep Branch

Headquartered in the UK, Deep Branch converts industrial CO2 into SCP using a proprietary bacterial strain. Its pilot plant in the Netherlands is backed by EU green funding, and the company is working with agricultural conglomerates to test SCP in poultry and pig feed.

Deep Branch positions itself at the intersection of carbon capture and food production, appealing to corporate ESG agendas.

 

EniferBio

A newer entrant from Finland, EniferBio is reviving a fungal SCP strain originally developed in the 1970s, now optimized using modern fermentation techniques. Its PEKILO® mycoprotein is aimed at both feed and food markets, and the company is attracting attention for re-commercializing legacy strains with new tech.

While the field is still emerging, competition is moving beyond product — toward platforms, patents, and partnerships. The companies that will lead this space by 2030 are those that can balance cost efficiency with regulatory agility, all while delivering a credible sustainability story to investors, buyers, and regulators.

 

Regional Landscape And Adoption Outlook

The geographic spread of the Global Single Cell Protein Market tells an interesting story — one that’s defined by contrasting drivers across developed and developing economies. While Europe and North America lead in innovation and policy, regions like Asia Pacific and Latin America are emerging as demand hubs due to shifting consumption patterns, protein deficits, and agri -tech investments.

North America

North America, especially the United States, remains a frontrunner in SCP-related R&D, venture capital flow, and regulatory structuring. The FDA has approved several yeast - and fungus-derived proteins for food use, and more are under review.

Key factors fueling adoption here include:

• The push for alternative protein independence from traditional agriculture

• Growing consumer interest in functional and climate-smart foods

• A robust aquaculture feed market along the Pacific Northwest and Gulf Coast

The region also hosts some of the leading microbial fermentation startups and advanced bioreactor manufacturers — many of which are collaborating with major food, feed, and pharma brands.

 

Europe

Europe is currently the most mature market in terms of both production and consumption of single cell proteins. The region has backed microbial proteins under the broader alternative protein agenda of the European Green Deal and Farm to Fork strategy.

Adoption is strongest in:

• Aquafeed: Especially in Norway, the UK, and Denmark

• Meat analogs : With fungal SCP used in popular plant-based products across Germany, the Netherlands, and the Nordics

• Sustainability-aligned sourcing: With major retailers including SCP in their decarbonization pledges

Moreover, Europe is aggressively funding pilot projects in methane- and CO2-fed SCP, giving it a head start in next-gen production platforms.

 

Asia Pacific

Asia Pacific is expected to witness the fastest growth between 2024 and 2030, largely driven by explosive demand for protein, particularly in China, India, Indonesia, and Vietnam. While current awareness of SCP is relatively low among consumers, the need for sustainable aquaculture and animal nutrition solutions is extremely high.

For instance:

• China is pushing SCP as part of its national food security program

• India is exploring SCP in both dairy analogs and poultry feed, especially in water-scarce zones

• Southeast Asia is turning to SCP as an import substitute for fishmeal, which is increasingly scarce and expensive

As bioprocessing infrastructure and regulatory clarity improve, Asia could become both a consumption and production hub.

 

Latin America, Middle East & Africa (LAMEA)

This region presents a different kind of opportunity — largely untapped, but full of strategic potential.

In Latin America:

• Countries like Brazil and Chile are exploring SCP for livestock and aquaculture, with growing support from agri -tech funds

• There is strong potential for localized bioreactors powered by methane from agriculture and landfills

In the Middle East:

• SCP is gaining traction as part of food import substitution strategies

• Oil-rich nations are exploring SCP production using natural gas and CO2, which they have in surplus

In Africa:

• The focus is on low-cost, high-protein animal feed

• NGOs and global agencies are beginning to pilot SCP production for malnutrition relief programs

While adoption in LAMEA will remain modest through 2024, the region could become a significant driver of volume growth closer to 2030, especially in feed and humanitarian applications.

 

End-User Dynamics And Use Case

In the Global Single Cell Protein Market, end-user behavior is changing fast — and not just because of rising protein demand. It’s about how different sectors are adapting SCP to meet efficiency goals, regulatory pressure, and sustainability mandates. What’s notable is how each end user sees a different value proposition in the same molecule.

Animal Feed Industry

For large feed manufacturers, SCP isn’t just a supplement — it’s risk mitigation. With fishmeal prices rising and soy supply chains facing deforestation backlash, SCP offers a stable, scalable protein input. What really matters here is volume consistency and amino acid profile, especially for poultry, shrimp, and salmon feeds.

Many producers now blend SCP with traditional feed ingredients, gradually increasing the proportion as trial data supports improved feed conversion ratios. In 2024, aquaculture feed remains the largest single point of demand, but poultry feed is gaining ground due to scale and price sensitivity.

 

Food and Beverage Manufacturers

For this group, SCP is a functional ingredient and a brand differentiator. Companies are using it in plant-based meat, nutrition bars, RTD protein beverages, and dairy analogs. What they care about most: neutral taste, high digestibility, and consumer acceptability.

While the volumes are still smaller than in feed, the margins are higher — and the scope for innovation is much wider. Some brands are co-developing tailored SCP strains to match specific dietary profiles, like keto or low-FODMAP.

 

Biotech Firms and Ingredient Suppliers

These players often operate at the intersection of R&D and licensing. They’re not always selling SCP directly — many are licensing fermentation platforms, microbial strains, or precision bioreactor IP. Their revenue models lean toward tech transfer, scale-up consulting, or royalty-based partnerships with larger producers.

For them, SCP is less of a product and more of a platform.

 

Nutraceutical and Health-Focused Brands

This category is emerging fast. SCP rich in branched-chain amino acids, vitamins, and prebiotics is being tested in sports nutrition, meal replacements, and even elder care nutrition. These buyers value bioavailability and traceability, and are often willing to pay premium for clean-label, non-GMO, carbon-neutral ingredients.

 

Use Case: On-Site SCP Feed Production for Salmon Hatcheries in Norway

A pioneering example comes from a partnership between a Nordic SCP startup and a salmon aquaculture firm in coastal Norway. Traditionally, the hatchery relied heavily on imported fishmeal — costly and logistically complex, especially during winter shipping disruptions.

In 2024, they deployed a containerized SCP fermentation unit that produces microbial protein on-site using local waste gases and nutrient inputs. Within 60 days of operation:

• The hatchery cut its fishmeal imports by 40%

• Feed conversion ratios improved by 11%

• The SCP system paid for itself in under 18 months through saved import and storage costs

This scenario demonstrates not only the versatility of SCP but its potential to decentralize and localize protein production — something that could reshape supply chains across sectors.

 

Recent Developments + Opportunities & Restraints

Recent Developments (Last 2 Years)

The Global Single Cell Protein Market has seen significant movement in the last two years, especially in terms of commercial scaling, regulatory wins, and deep-tech financing. These developments suggest growing mainstream acceptance and a transition from lab-scale innovation to real-world production.

• Solar Foods received regulatory approval in Singapore to commercialize its CO2-fed protein Solein ® for human consumption — making it one of the first gas-based SCPs approved for the food market.

• Unibio signed a long-term licensing agreement in the Middle East to deploy its U-Loop® fermentation technology for large-scale bacterial protein production using natural gas.

• Calysta expanded its FeedKind ® production in China through a joint venture with Adisseo, aiming to supply sustainable protein for aquafeed across Asia.

• Deep Branch opened its pilot plant in the Netherlands to convert CO2 from industrial emissions into SCP for poultry and swine feed.

• EniferBio secured funding from the EU’s Horizon Europe program to commercialize its fungal-based PEKILO® protein for both food and feed markets.

 

Opportunities

• Decentralized Production Models : The rise of containerized, modular SCP fermenters enables on-site protein production for aquaculture farms, remote food systems, and humanitarian applications.

• Gas-to-Protein Platforms : Using CO2 and methane as feedstock opens new frontiers for sustainable, circular economy SCP — especially in carbon-intensive industries seeking green offsets.

• High-Value Nutritional Customization : Engineered SCP strains that deliver targeted health benefits (e.g., B12 fortification, prebiotics) are creating niche markets in premium nutrition and wellness.

 

Restraints

• Regulatory Fragmentation : While countries like Singapore and the EU are advancing approvals, inconsistent global regulatory frameworks continue to delay product launches in key regions like the U.S. and China.

• High Capex for Scale-Up : Despite falling fermentation costs, building and running industrial bioreactors for SCP still requires substantial upfront investment — a barrier for smaller firms and emerging markets.

 

7.1. Report Coverage Table

Report Attribute	Details
Forecast Period	2024 – 2030
Market Size Value in 2024	USD 9.7 Billion
Revenue Forecast in 2030	USD 15.6 Billion
Overall Growth Rate	CAGR of 8.3% (2024 – 2030)
Base Year for Estimation	2024
Historical Data	2019 – 2023
Unit	USD Million, CAGR (2024 – 2030)
Segmentation	By source, By Application, By End User, By Region
By source	Algae, Yeast, Fungi, Bacteria
By Application	Animal Feed, Human Food, Others
By End User	Food & Beverage, Animal Nutrition, Biotech Firms, Nutraceuticals
By Region	North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, Middle East & Africa
Country Scope	U.S., Canada, Germany, U.K., France, China, India, Japan, Brazil, GCC, South Africa
Market Drivers	- Rising demand for sustainable protein alternatives - Growth in aquaculture and animal feed industries - Advances in precision fermentation and gas-fed SCP
Customization Option	Available upon request