Global Cholesterol Market, 2023-2028
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Market Overview
Cholesterol is a component of human intercellular lipids that is readily absorbed into the skin, has moisturizing properties, and is widely used as a component of pharmaceutical ingredients such as anti-inflammatory ointments and baby care products such as nipple cream. Cholesterol is also used as a raw material for the production of vitamin D3 and as a feed additive. The global cholesterol market is expected to increase by USD 31.7 million, at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.43% from 2023 to 2028.
On the basis of source, the cholesterol market is segmented into plant-based cholesterol and animal-based cholesterol. The plant-based cholesterol segment is expected to grow at the fastest CAGR through 2028.
The majority of cholesterol is currently produced from animal sources, with only Evonik Industries AG (PHYTOCHOL®), Merck KGaA (SyntheChol™) and Hunan Kerey Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. offering plant-derived cholesterol on the market. Plant-derived cholesterol is used as a high-end pharmaceutical excipient in non-animal-derived cell culture media for small molecule liposomal drugs, nucleic acid drugs, mRNA vaccines and protein drugs, as well as in the preparation of plant-derived vitamin D3 products. With the further enrichment of downstream applications, the plant-derived cholesterol industry is expected to grow rapidly.
The global cholesterol market, based on applications is segmented into VD3, feed additives, cosmetics and pharmaceuticals, and others. The VD3 segment led the cholesterol market in 2022, contributing more than half of the market share and is expected to maintain its dominance during the forecast period of 2023 to 2028. However, the cosmetics and pharmaceuticals segment is expected to register the fastest CAGR through 2028. As one of the most important building blocks of life, cholesterol is an essential raw material used in innovative technologies from lipid nanoparticles for mRNA delivery to cell culture media. In addition, the cholesterol for feed market will also see a decent growth. Feed-grade cholesterol (80% and 91% purity) is mainly used as a shrimp feed additive. According to industry experts, the Chinese national standard for cholesterol as a shrimp feed additive is currently being actively promoted. Once cholesterol is mandated to be added to shrimp feed, it will inevitably contribute significantly to feed-grade cholesterol demand.
In 2022, the Asia Pacific region emerged as the leading contributor to the global cholesterol market, holding the largest market share. This dominance is projected to continue throughout the forecast period. The Asia Pacific region, with a particular focus on China, not only houses a significant number of cholesterol manufacturers but also serves as a major global producer of vitamin D3. China's significant role as a global producer of vitamin D3 further strengthens the region's position in the cholesterol market. Cholesterol is a crucial raw material in the synthesis of vitamin D3, which is widely used in the pharmaceutical, food, and personal care industries.
At present, 95% of the global vitamin D3 capacity is concentrated in China, and the major foreign producers include Koninklijke DSM N.V., Dishman Carbogen Amcis Limited, etc. On December 17, 2019, The State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR) and the State Standardization Administration issued the national standard for feed additives vitamin D3 oil, which came into effect on July 1, 2020. The new standard specified that the starting material for vitamin D3 oil should be lanolin cholesterol, limiting the use of brain stem cholesterol and making lanolin the only legal source material for the production of vitamin D3.
Competitive Landscape
The global cholesterol market is controlled by a handful of players, of which Chinese players are an important part of it. Companies profiled in this report include Anhui Chem-Bright Bioengineering Co., Ltd., Anhui Tianqi Chemical Engineering Co., Ltd., China Resources Boya Bio-pharmaceutical Group Co., Ltd., Dishman Carbogen Amcis Limited, Evonik Industries AG, Henan Liwei Biological Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Hunan Kerey Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Jiangxi Tianxin Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Merck KGaA, Nippon Fine Chemical Co., Ltd., NK Ingredients Pte. Ltd. (filed for bankruptcy), Rowi Biotechnology Co., Ltd., Taizhou Hisound Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Xiamen Kingdomway Group Company, Zhejiang Garden Biochemical High-Tech Stock Co., Ltd., among others.
As Chinese companies continue to establish market dominance with their cost advantages, the remaining companies are at risk of losing market share. In the past few years, Singapore-based cholesterol producer NK Ingredients Pte. Ltd. stopped cholesterol production and filed for bankruptcy in 2017, and India-based Dishman Carbogen Amcis Limited has also been losing market share. Japan Fine Chemicals Limited, the absolute market leader in lanolin products and cholesterol in Japan, has also been experiencing difficulties in losing market share overseas. It’s a different story for Chinese companies, as Zhejiang Garden Biochemicals has been experiencing high capacity utilization over the past few years and, according to the company, has even experienced oversupply due to capacity constraints.
Key Questions Answered
What is the projected global market size of cholesterol by 2028
Which source segment generates the highest revenue
In the cholesterol market, which application segment attains the foremost position
Which region segment generates the most substantial revenue
Who are the key players with the largest market share in the cholesterol market
What is the estimated global market size for the cholesterol market in 2023
What are the main factors driving the growth of the cholesterol market
What is the expected incremental growth of the cholesterol market during the forecast period
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Figures and Tables 8
Part 1. Introduction 13
Report Description 13
Objectives of The Study 13
Market Segment 14
Years Considered for The Report 16
Methodology 16
Part 2. Key Findings 18
Part 3. Market Overview 24
Introduction 24
Market Dynamics 24
Drivers 24
Restraints 24
Part 4. Cholesterol Market by Source 25
Overview 25
Plant-based Cholesterol 27
Market Size and Forecast 27
Plant-based Cholesterol Market, by Region 28
Animal Cholesterol 29
Market Size and Forecast 29
Animal-based Cholesterol Market, by Region 30
Part 5. Cholesterol Market by Application 32
Overview 32
VD3 34
Cholesterol for VD3 Market, Size and Forecast 34
Cholesterol for VD3 Market, by Region 35
Feed Additives 36
Cholesterol for Feed Additives Market, Size and Forecast 36
Cholesterol for Feed Additives Market, by Region 37
Cosmetics and Pharmaceuticals 38
Cholesterol for Cosmetics and Pharmaceuticals Market, Size and Forecast 38
Cholesterol for Cosmetics and Pharmaceuticals Market, by Region 39
Others 40
Cholesterol for Others Market, Size and Forecast 40
Cholesterol for Others Market, by Region 41
Part 6. Cholesterol Market by Geography 43
Overview 43
Market Size and Forecast 43
North America 44
Market Size and Forecast 45
Key Countries 47
United States 47
Canada 48
Mexico 48
Europe 49
Market Size and Forecast 49
Key Countries 51
Germany 52
France 52
UK 53
Italy 54
Spain 54
Rest of The Europe 55
Asia-Pacific 56
Market Size and Forecast 56
Key Countries 58
China 58
Japan 59
India 60
South Korea 60
Australia 61
Rest of Asia-Pacific 62
MEA 62
Market Size and Forecast 63
Key Countries 65
Saudi Arabia 65
Turkey 66
South Africa 66
Rest of MEA 67
Latin America 67
Market Size and Forecast 68
Key Countries 70
Brazil 70
Rest of Latin America 71
Part 7. Key Competitor Profiles 72
Zhejiang Garden Biochemical High-Tech Stock Co., Ltd. 72
Company Information 72
Product and Services 72
Business Overview 72
SWOT Analysis 73
Anhui Chem-Bright Bioengineering Co., Ltd. 73
Company Information 74
Product and Services 74
Business Overview 74
SWOT Analysis 75
Dishman Carbogen Amcis Limited 75
Company Information 75
Product and Services 75
Business Overview 75
SWOT Analysis 76
Henan Liwei Biological Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. 76
Company Information 77
Product and Services 77
Business Overview 77
SWOT Analysis 78
Nippon Fine Chemical Co., Ltd. 78
Company Information 78
Product and Services 78
Business Overview 78
SWOT Analysis 79
Hunan Kerey Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. 79
Company Information 80
Product and Services 80
Business Overview 80
SWOT Analysis 81
Evonik Industries AG 81
Company Information 81
Product and Services 81
Business Overview 81
SWOT Analysis 82
Part 8. Other Prominent Vendors 83
Merck KGaA 83
Rowi Biotechnology Co., Ltd. 83
Taizhou Hisound Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. 83
Xiamen Kingdomway Group Company 83
NK Ingredients Pte. Ltd. 83
Anhui Tianqi Chemical Engineering Co., Ltd. 83
China Resources Boya Bio-pharmaceutical Group Co., Ltd. 83
Jiangxi Tianxin Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. 83
DISCLAIMER 84
Research Methodology:
Global Cholesterol Market Size Estimation
To estimate market size and trends, we use a combination of top-down and bottom-up methods. This allows us to evaluate the market from various perspectives—by company, region, product type, and end users.
Our estimates are based on actual sales data, excluding any discounts. Segment breakdowns and market shares are calculated using weighted averages based on usage rates and average prices. Regional insights are determined by how widely a product or service is adopted in each area.
Key companies are identified through secondary sources like industry reports and company filings. We then verify revenue estimates and other key data points through primary research, including interviews with industry experts, company executives, and decision-makers.
We take into account all relevant factors that could influence the market and validate our findings with real-world input. Our final insights combine both qualitative and quantitative data to provide a well-rounded view. Please note, these estimates do not account for unexpected changes such as inflation, economic downturns, or policy shifts.
Data Source
Secondary Sources
This study draws on a wide range of secondary sources, including press releases, annual reports, non-profit organizations, industry associations, government agencies, and customs data. We also referred to reputable databases and directories such as Bloomberg, Wind Info, Hoovers, Factiva, Trading Economics, Statista, and others. Additional references include investor presentations, company filings (e.g., SEC), economic data, and documents from regulatory and industry bodies.
These sources were used to gather technical and market-focused insights, identify key players, analyze market segmentation and classification, and track major trends and developments across industries.
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Primary Sources
As part of our primary research, we interviewed a variety of stakeholders from both the supply and demand sides to gather valuable qualitative and quantitative insights.
On the supply side, we spoke with product manufacturers, competitors, industry experts, research institutions, distributors, traders, and raw material suppliers. On the demand side, we engaged with business leaders, marketing and sales heads, technology and innovation directors, supply chain executives, and end users across key organizations.
These conversations helped us better understand market segmentation, pricing, applications, leading players, supply chains, demand trends, industry outlook, and key market dynamics—including risks, opportunities, barriers, and strategic developments.
Key Data Information from Primary Sources
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