(MENAFN- GlobeNewsWire - Nasdaq) The plant-based API market is primed for growth due to heightened demand for sustainable, natural therapeutics and regulatory acceptance. Advances in extraction and purification improve reliability and eco-friendliness, catering to sectors like pharmaceuticals and nutraceuticals. This shift fuels innovation and market expansion.Dublin, Oct. 27, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Plant-based Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs) - Global Strategic Business Report" has been added to ResearchAndMarkets's offering.
The global market for Plant-based Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs) was valued at US$32.5 Billion in 2024 and is projected to reach US$46.6 Billion by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 6.2% from 2024 to 2030. This comprehensive report provides an in-depth analysis of market trends, drivers, and forecasts, helping you make informed business decisions.
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Why Are Plant-Based APIs the Next Frontier in Sustainable Pharma Innovation?
The global plant-based API market is witnessing strong momentum as the pharmaceutical industry pivots toward cleaner, greener, and more sustainable drug development practices. Active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) derived from botanicals and herbal sources have long played a foundational role in traditional medicine systems, but recent years have seen a resurgence of interest in plant-derived compounds as viable, efficacious, and scalable solutions for modern drug formulations. This shift is driven in part by increasing consumer demand for natural therapeutics and growing awareness around the side effects of synthetic drugs. Consequently, pharmaceutical companies are exploring phyto-pharmaceuticals, alkaloids, terpenoids, and glycosides for therapeutic areas including oncology, cardiovascular diseases, pain management, and mental health.
Beyond consumer perception, regulatory agencies such as the WHO, EMA, and USFDA have begun to formalize frameworks for evaluating herbal and plant-based APIs, thus legitimizing their role in evidence-based medicine. Plant-based APIs are also being integrated into both allopathic and complementary formulations, driving innovation in hybrid therapeutics. With a growing body of clinical evidence supporting the efficacy and safety of plant-based compounds - such as curcumin, resveratrol, cannabidiol (CBD), and artemisinin - the market is gaining scientific credibility. Additionally, the increasing popularity of personalized medicine and preventive healthcare is steering demand for plant-derived APIs that offer lower toxicity, better biocompatibility, and improved patient adherence.
How Is Innovation in Extraction and Purification Redefining the API Landscape?
Technological advancements in extraction, purification, and standardization are revolutionizing the production of plant-based APIs, making them more reliable, consistent, and pharmaceutically viable. Conventional solvent extraction techniques are increasingly being replaced or supplemented by green extraction methods such as supercritical CO2 extraction, ultrasound-assisted extraction, and microwave-assisted techniques. These innovations ensure higher yield, better bioavailability, and reduced environmental impact, making plant-based APIs more competitive with their synthetic counterparts. Additionally, advancements in chromatography, molecular distillation, and fermentation technologies are enabling precise isolation of bioactive constituents with pharmaceutical-grade purity.
Standardization and reproducibility, long-standing challenges for botanical APIs, are being addressed through integrated quality control systems and DNA barcoding techniques that verify the authenticity and potency of raw plant materials. Biotechnological approaches, including plant cell culture and metabolic engineering, are also being used to produce rare or endangered compounds at scale without harvesting wild resources. This is particularly valuable for compounds such as paclitaxel (from yew trees) and vincristine (from periwinkle), where overexploitation poses a risk to biodiversity. These scientific advancements are not only expanding the pharmaceutical utility of plant-based APIs but also improving their sustainability, safety profiles, and scalability for global drug production.
What's Fueling Growth in the Global Plant-Based API Market?
The growth in the plant-based API market is driven by several factors related to technological advancement, end-use diversification, and evolving pharmaceutical and regulatory landscapes. A major driver is the increasing demand for safer, sustainable, and naturally derived drug ingredients - especially as antibiotic resistance and chronic diseases reshape therapeutic priorities. Consumers and healthcare providers are showing strong preference for medications with fewer side effects and lower chemical burden, making plant-based APIs more attractive for long-term treatment plans. Furthermore, the shift toward personalized and integrative medicine is driving innovation in botanical formulations that combine traditional wisdom with modern delivery systems.
Technological breakthroughs in extraction and standardization have significantly enhanced the scalability and reproducibility of plant-based APIs, addressing historical limitations around potency and consistency. In parallel, biotech-driven synthesis and tissue culture methods are reducing pressure on natural resources and enabling year-round, controlled production of high-value phyto-compounds. On the demand side, growing consumer interest in clean-label therapeutics and the rise of plant-based lifestyles are accelerating the inclusion of botanical APIs in pharmaceuticals, OTC drugs, and wellness products. Regulatory evolution - including WHO monographs, EMA herbal guidelines, and USFDA botanical drug development frameworks - is further encouraging pharmaceutical companies to invest in R&D pipelines centered on plant-based APIs. Altogether, these drivers are catalyzing a robust and enduring shift in global pharma - positioning plant-derived APIs as a key component of future therapeutic innovation.
Report Scope
The report analyzes the Plant-based Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs) market, presented in terms of market value (USD). The analysis covers the key segments and geographic regions outlined below.
Segments: Molecule Type (Alkaloid Molecules, Terpenoid Molecules, Flavonoid Molecules, Phenolic Acid Molecules, Anthocyanin Molecules, Lignin & Stilbene Molecules, Other Molecule Types); End-Use (Pharmaceuticals End-Use, Nutraceuticals End-Use, Herbals End-Use, Other End-Uses). Geographic Regions/Countries: World; United States; Canada; Japan; China; Europe (France; Germany; Italy; United Kingdom; and Rest of Europe); Asia-Pacific; Rest of World.
Key Insights:
Market Growth: Understand the significant growth trajectory of the Alkaloid Molecules segment, which is expected to reach US$11.7 Billion by 2030 with a CAGR of 7.6%. The Terpenoid Molecules segment is also set to grow at 7.1% CAGR over the analysis period. Regional Analysis: Gain insights into the U.S. market, valued at $11.6 Billion in 2024, and China, forecasted to grow at an impressive 7% CAGR to reach $5.5 Billion by 2030. Discover growth trends in other key regions, including Japan, Canada, Germany, and the Asia-Pacific.
Report Features:
Comprehensive Market Data: Independent analysis of annual sales and market forecasts in US$ Million from 2024 to 2030. In-Depth Regional Analysis: Detailed insights into key markets, including the U.S., China, Japan, Canada, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, Middle East, and Africa. Company Profiles: Coverage of players such as Abbott Laboratories, Afriplex, Alchem International, Alkaloids Corporation, BASF SE and more. Complimentary Updates: Receive free report updates for one year to keep you informed of the latest market developments.
Some of the 59 companies featured in this Plant-based Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs) market report include:
Abbott Laboratories Afriplex Alchem International Alkaloids Corporation BASF SE Bright Green Corporation Centroflora Group DSM-Firmenich Indena S.p.A Kerry Group plc Mallinckrodt Pharmaceuticals Phyton Biotech Protalix BioTherapeutics Roquette Freres Sami-Sabinsa Group Shaanxi Jiahe Phytochem Co., Ltd. Sichuan Xieli Pharmaceutical Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. Veranova Xi'an Greena Biotech Co., Ltd.
This edition integrates the latest global trade and economic shifts into comprehensive market analysis.
Key updates include:
Tariff and Trade Impact: Insights into global tariff negotiations across 180+ countries, with analysis of supply chain turbulence, sourcing disruptions, and geographic realignment. Special focus on 2025 as a pivotal year for trade tensions, including updated perspectives on the Trump-era tariffs. Adjusted Forecasts and Analytics: Revised global and regional market forecasts through 2030, incorporating tariff effects, economic uncertainty, and structural changes in globalization. Includes historical analysis from 2015 to 2023. Strategic Market Dynamics: Evaluation of revised market prospects, regional outlooks, and key economic indicators such as population and urbanization trends. Innovation & Technology Trends: Latest developments in product and process innovation, emerging technologies, and key industry drivers shaping the competitive landscape. Competitive Intelligence: Updated global market share estimates for 2025, competitive positioning of major players (Strong/Active/Niche/Trivial), and refined focus on leading global brands and core players. Expert Insight & Commentary: Strategic analysis from economists, trade experts, and domain specialists to contextualize market shifts and identify emerging opportunities.
Key Attributes:
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