Protease Market Size, Share, Opportunities, And Trends By Source (Plants, Animals, Microbes), By Form (Powder, Liquid, Others), By Application (Animal Feed Industry, Food & Beverage Industry, Others), And By Geography - Forecasts From 2025 To 2030

Protease Market Size

The protease market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 5.91%, reaching a market size of US$3.663 billion in 2030 from US$2.749 billion in 2025.

Proteases form a large class of enzymes used in trade, especially in food, detergent, and pharmaceutical applications. They include amidases, peptidases, and proteinases. Among important industrial enzymes, proteases have a very wide range of applications in chemical and biological processes responsible for the breakdown of peptide ties in proteins. One of the interesting features of proteases is their efficiency in generating natural products, doing so in milder reaction conditions and exhibiting stereospecificity, specificity, and biodegradability among their properties. Innovative reaction-time-reduction techniques have been invented by firms for increased yield enhancement. Many fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) include proteases, adding to their relevance. The most significant aspect of increasing the market size for proteases is that they have many applications in different sectors. The toxicity and pathogenicity make them even greener ingredients, expanding the market.

What are the protease market drivers?

• Increasing biotechnology and research initiatives are contributing to the protease market expansion

Owing to their potentiality as popular tools for protein analysis, DNA research, and recombinant DNA (rDNA) technology, the market will likely be continually fueled by biotechnology and research projects. Proteases facilitate the study of protein structure and function by allowing for precise protein cleavage. They are thus important to biopharmaceuticals' production, purification, and drug discovery processes. They can also be found in diagnostic procedures and enzyme replacement therapies. The fast advancements in genetic engineering and biotechnology will also challenge the need for novel specialty proteases with specific roles.

• Improving protease stability and activity via structural alteration is anticipated to increase the market growth

The significant aspects concerning the global protease market have mostly set the stage for ever-changing structural modifications to the proteases aimed at improving their stability to harshness and effectiveness in industrial processes. They help break down proteins into amino acids for food, animal feed, and pharmaceutical sectors. Generally, harsh pH, temperature, and organic solvent conditions make most proteases inactive. Bioengineering currently focuses on improving these enzymes' degraded stability and activity, making them capable of overcoming such harsh environments. Further, market players like Novozymes and DSM develop end-use, more robust proteases to reduce production costs and bring manufacturing process competencies. Large corporations' R&D units have successfully changed the amino acid composition by modifying the enzyme structure, resulting in enhanced resistance to denaturation and retention of their functional property throughout industrial processing. For example, proteases that show full activity at much higher temperatures or under extremely high pH levels greatly benefit the detergent and meat processing industries.

• Making Use of Recombinant DNA Technology in the Production of Protease is also increasing the market expansion

The global protease market is revolutionized all thanks to the increased quantity and quality of enzymes brought about by rDNA technology. Regarding the production at a higher level of proteins (i.e., proteases) by doing gene sequence modifications in an organism, rDNA technology has a vital role in protease production. Plants were produced with higher yields and consistent specifications by introducing these essential genes from host species like bacteria and yeast. Startups in this direction gradually enter into more critical industries such as food, health care, and animal feed. This also involves using rDNA techniques in biotechnology to produce high levels of enzymes for various applications, including protein degradation in food and beverages and manufacturing biodegradable detergents. Chr. Hansen and DuPont Nutrition and Biosciences are two such manufacturers.

The protease market is analyzed into the following segments:

• By application, food & beverages is anticipated to grow during the forecast period

Proteases are frequently employed in the food business to improve the texture, flavour, and nutritional content of many food products. During meat processing, proteases like papain and bromelain break down muscle fibers to soften tough cuts and create more luscious meat. The need for protease in the meat and poultry sector is rising due to the increased meat consumption in many parts of the world.

Enzymes like chymosin, which is included in rennet, are necessary to produce cheese and other dairy products because they help coagulate milk from curds and improve the flavor of the cheese over time. Because they change the structures of gluten, proteases are useful in the baking industry because they improve the dough's elasticity and consistency—two crucial characteristics for baked goods like biscuits and crackers.

Geographical outlook of the protease market:

• North America is witnessing exponential growth during the forecast period.

In North America, proteases are used within the complex and sophisticated sectors of biotechnology and pharmaceuticals for application in therapeutics, protein engineering, and drug development. The US FDA provides a regulatory environment that helps develop and commercialize protease-based products and the food and pharmaceutical industries; regulation assists in the market adoption of proteases by ensuring they are effective and safe. Increasing demand for functional foods and health supplements has resulted in the high usage of the protease enzyme in such products. Therefore, an increasing demand for nutraceuticals is aroused as more people understand proteases' health benefits.

Key launches in the protease market:

• In November 2024. a new tool created by FMI researchers illustrates how proteases, which are enzymes that break down proteins, cut their targets. Previously thought to be indiscriminate degraders, this invention provides fresh insight into the very selective nature of proteases. By developing more consistent, focused treatments, the findings may alter our approach to medication creation, especially for diseases like diabetes and obesity.
• In May 2024, Biocatalysts Ltd, a global expert in specialty enzymes, released two novel protease enzymes developed to efficiently hydrolyze extracted collagen to yield low molecular weight and neutral-tasting collagen peptides. Moreover, enhancing the taste, functionality, and processability of various proteins in various sectors. The newest additions to Biocatalysts Ltd's line of high-performance enzymes, PromodTM 327L and PromodTM 295L, draw on decades of experience in enzyme development.

Protease market scope:

Report Metric	Details
Protease Market Size in 2025	US$2.749 billion
Protease Market Size in 2030	US$3.663 billion
Growth Rate	CAGR of 5.91%
Study Period	2020 to 2030
Historical Data	2020 to 2023
Base Year	2024
Forecast Period	2025 – 2030
Forecast Unit (Value)	USD Billion
Segmentation	Source Form Application Geography
Geographical Segmentation	North America, South America, Europe, Middle East and Africa, Asia Pacific
List of Major Companies in the Protease Market	E.I. Du Pont De Nemours and Company Novozymes A/S Advanced Enzyme Technologies DSM Associated British Food
Customization Scope	Free report customization with purchase

 

The protease market is analyzed into the following segments:

• By Source
  • Plants
  • Animals
  • Microbes
• By Form
  • Powder
  • Liquid
  • Others
• By Application
  • Animal feed industry
  • Food & Beverage industry
  • Others
• By Geography
  • North America
    • USA
    • Canada
    • Mexico
  • South America
    • Brazil
    • Argentina
    • Others
  • Europe
    • United Kingdom
    • Germany
    • Italy
    • Spain
    • Others
  • Middle East and Africa
    • Saudi Arabia
    • Israel
    • Others
  • Asia Pacific
    • Japan
    • China
    • India
    • Australia
    • South Korea
    • Taiwan
    • Thailand
    • Indonesia
    • Others

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1. INTRODUCTION

1.1. Market Overview

1.2. Market Definition

1.3. Scope of the Study

1.4. Market Segmentation

1.5. Currency

1.6. Assumptions

1.7. Base and Forecast Years Timeline

1.8. Key Benefits to the Stakeholder

2. RESEARCH METHODOLOGY  

2.1. Research Design

2.2. Research Processes

3. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

3.1. Key Findings

3.2. CXO Perspective

4. MARKET DYNAMICS

4.1. Market Drivers

4.2. Market Restraints

4.3. Porter’s Five Forces Analysis

4.3.1. Bargaining Power of Suppliers

4.3.2. Bargaining Power of Buyers

4.3.3. Threat of New Entrants

4.3.4. Threat of Substitutes

4.3.5. Competitive Rivalry in the Industry

4.4. Industry Value Chain Analysis

4.5. Analyst View 

5.  PROTEASE MARKET BY SOURCE

5.1. Introduction

5.2. Plants

5.3. Animals

5.4. Microbes

6.  PROTEASE MARKET BY FORM

6.1. Introduction

6.2. Powder

6.3. Liquid

6.4. Others

7. PROTEASE MARKET BY APPLICATION

7.1. Introduction

7.2. Animal feed industry

7.3. Food & Beverage industry

7.4. Others

8.  PROTEASE MARKET BY GEOGRAPHY

8.1. Introduction

8.2. North America

8.2.1. By Source

8.2.2. By Form

8.2.3. By Application

8.2.4. By Country

8.2.4.1. USA

8.2.4.2. Canada

8.2.4.3. Mexico

8.3. South America

8.3.1. By Source

8.3.2. By Form

8.3.3. By Application

8.3.4. By Country

8.3.4.1. Brazil

8.3.4.2. Argentina

8.3.4.3. Others

8.4. Europe

8.4.1. By Source

8.4.2. By Form

8.4.3. By Application

8.4.4. By Country

8.4.4.1. United Kingdom 

8.4.4.2. Germany 

8.4.4.3. Italy

8.4.4.4. Spain

8.4.4.5. Others

8.5. Middle East and Africa

8.5.1. By Source

8.5.2. By Form

8.5.3. By Application

8.5.4. By Country

8.5.4.1. Saudi Arabia

8.5.4.2. Israel

8.5.4.3. Others

8.6. Asia Pacific

8.6.1. By Source

8.6.2. By Form

8.6.3. By Application

8.6.4. By Country

8.6.4.1. Japan

8.6.4.2. China 

8.6.4.3. India

8.6.4.4. Australia

8.6.4.5. South Korea

8.6.4.6. Taiwan

8.6.4.7. Thailand

8.6.4.8. Indonesia

8.6.4.9. Others

9. COMPETITIVE ENVIRONMENT AND ANALYSIS

9.1. Major Players and Strategy Analysis

9.2. Market Share Analysis

9.3. Mergers, Acquisitions, Agreements, and Collaborations

9.4. Competitive Dashboard

10. COMPANY PROFILES

10.1. E.I. Du Pont De Nemours and Company

10.2. Novozymes A/S

10.3. Advanced Enzyme Technologies

10.4. DSM

10.5. Associated British Food

10.6. Neova Technologies Inc

10.7. Thermo Fisher Scientific

10.8. Kemin Industries

10.9. Promega Corporation

10.10. Merck

10.11. Novus International Inc.

10.12. International Flavors & Fragrances Inc.

10.13. Biocatalyst Ltd.

10.14. Novonesis Group.

10.15. Bioseutica BV.

E.I. Du Pont De Nemours and Company

Novozymes A/S

Advanced Enzyme Technologies

DSM

Associated British Food

Neova Technologies Inc

Thermo Fisher Scientific

Kemin Industries

Promega Corporation

Merck

Novus International Inc.

International Flavors & Fragrances Inc.

Biocatalyst Ltd.

Novonesis Group.

Bioseutica BV.