Global Starch-based Ethanol Market Size, Share, and COVID-19 Impact Analysis, By Feedstock Type (Corn, Wheat, Barley, Cassava, and Others), By Production Process (Dry Milling and Wet Milling), By Application (Fuel, Industrial Solvents, Beverages, Pharmaceuticals, and Others), By End User (Transportation, Industrial, Food & Beverage, Pharmaceuticals, and Others), and By Region (North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, Middle East, and Africa), Analysis and Forecast 2025 - 2035

Global Starch-based Ethanol Market Insights Forecasts to 2035

• The Global Starch-based Ethanol Market Size Was Estimated at USD 58.6 Billion in 2024
• The Market Size is Expected to Grow at a CAGR of around 6.28% from 2025 to 2035
• The Worldwide Starch-based Ethanol Market Size is Expected to Reach USD 114.5 Billion by 2035
• Asia Pacific is expected to grow the fastest during the forecast period.

The global starch-based ethanol market size was worth around USD 58.6 billion in 2024 and is predicted to grow to around USD 114.5 billion by 2035 with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.28% from 2025 to 2035. An increasing need for renewable energy sources, with an expanding automotive sector and implementation of government policies, is driving the starch-based ethanol market globally.

Market Overview

The starch-based ethanol market is the industry focusing on the production of ethanol, a biofuel, from renewable starch-rich crops like corn, wheat, and barley. A variety of starch-rich crops, including barley, cassava roots, corn/maize, potato, rice, and sorghum grain, can be used for ethanol production through fermentation to create fuel mixtures like E10 and E85 that aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and reliance on fossil fuels. The market is primarily driven by an increasing demand for sustainable and eco-friendly fuel alternatives, along with government policies favouring the adoption of renewable energy and advancements in ethanol production technologies. The growing demand for alternative fuels in the automotive industry, with the rising popularity of electric vehicles (EVs), is offering market opportunities for starch-based ethanol.

Report Coverage

This research report categorizes the starch-based ethanol market based on various segments and regions, forecasts revenue growth, and analyzes trends in each submarket. The report analyses the key growth drivers, opportunities, and challenges influencing the starch-based ethanol market. Recent market developments and competitive strategies such as expansion, type launch, development, partnership, merger, and acquisition have been included to draw the competitive landscape in the market. The report strategically identifies and profiles the key market players and analyses their core competencies in each sub-segment of the starch-based ethanol market.

Driving Factors

An increasing focus on reducing carbon emissions and promoting sustainable energy sources is contributing to driving the starch-based ethanol market, as this ethanol serves as a renewable energy source across various industries, including automotive, transportation, and pharmaceutical sectors. Further, the implementation of government policies aimed at enhancing biofuel production is contributing to promoting the starch-based ethanol market. An expanding automotive sector involving the use of electric vehicles is promoting the market demand for starch-based ethanol.

Restraining Factors

Fluctuations in raw material prices and competition from other biofuels are challenging the starch-based ethanol market. Further, sustainability concerns and strict environmental regulations are hampering the market growth.

Market Segmentation

The starch-based ethanol market share is classified into feedstock type, production process, application, and end user.

• The corn segment dominated the starch-based ethanol market in 2024 and is projected to grow at a substantial CAGR during the forecast period.

Based on the feedstock type, the starch-based ethanol market is divided into corn, wheat, barley, cassava, and others. Among these, the corn segment dominated the starch-based ethanol market in 2024 and is projected to grow at a substantial CAGR during the forecast period. Industrial ethanol production using corn starch includes breaking down of starch present into simple sugars (glucose), feeding these sugars to yeast (fermentation), and then recovering the main product (ethanol).

• The dry milling segment dominated the starch-based ethanol market in 2024 and is projected to grow at a substantial CAGR during the forecast period.

Based on the production process, the starch-based ethanol market is divided into dry milling and wet milling. Among these, the dry milling segment dominated the starch-based ethanol market in 2024 and is projected to grow at a substantial CAGR during the forecast period. Dry milling of starch-based ethanol involves grinding starch grains into flour, which is then directly fermented into ethanol with co-products of distillers’ grains and carbon dioxide. The low capital costs of dry milling of ethanol plants is responsible for market demand in the dry milling segment.

• The fuel segment held the largest share in 2024 and is anticipated to grow at a significant CAGR during the forecast period.

Based on the application, the starch-based ethanol market is divided into fuel, industrial solvents, beverages, pharmaceuticals, and others. Among these, the fuel segment held the largest share in 2024 and is anticipated to grow at a significant CAGR during the forecast period. Ethanol is used as fuel for internal combustion engines, either alone or in combination with other fuels, because of its environmental and long-term economic advantages over fossil fuel.

• The transportation segment accounted for the largest share in 2024 and is anticipated to grow at a significant CAGR during the forecast period.

Based on the end user, the starch-based ethanol market is divided into transportation, industrial, food & beverage, pharmaceuticals, and others. Among these, the transportation segment accounted for the largest share in 2024 and is anticipated to grow at a significant CAGR during the forecast period. Starch-based ethanol is the most widely used liquid biofuel for motor vehicles and also effectively reduces the air toxics coming from the transportation sector.

Regional Segment Analysis of the Starch-based Ethanol Market

• North America (U.S., Canada, Mexico) 
• Europe (Germany, France, U.K., Italy, Spain, Rest of Europe)
• Asia-Pacific (China, Japan, India, Rest of APAC)
• South America (Brazil and the Rest of South America) 
• The Middle East and Africa (UAE, South Africa, Rest of MEA)

North America is anticipated to hold the largest share of the starch-based ethanol market over the predicted timeframe.

North America is anticipated to hold the largest share of the starch-based ethanol market over the predicted timeframe. Government mandating renewable fuel standards across the US and Canada is driving the regional market growth for starch-based ethanol. Advancements in starch-rich crop yields and innovations in enzymatic hydrolysis and fermentation technologies for enhancing ethanol productivity and cost efficiency are contributing to propel the market. In addition, the establishment of biofuel infrastructure as well as extensive corn production in the region are responsible for the starch-based ethanol market growth.

Asia Pacific is expected to grow at a rapid CAGR in the starch-based ethanol market during the forecast period. The growing energy demand and government initiatives, along with the increasing availability of diverse starch-rich feedstocks, are contributing to driving the market expansion for starch-based ethanol. The growing industrialization and urbanization in countries like China and India are contributing to regional market growth for starch-based ethanol.

Europe is anticipated to hold a significant share of the starch-based ethanol market during the predicted timeframe. The widespread availability of starch-based feedstocks, including corn, wheat, and barley throughout the region, benefiting from good agricultural circumstances and improved farming practices, is contributing to driving the starch-based ethanol market. Further, the region’s strong focus on sustainability and reducing carbon emissions, with strict environmental regulations, is propelling the market demand.

Competitive Analysis:

The report offers the appropriate analysis of the key organizations/companies involved within the starch-based ethanol market, along with a comparative evaluation primarily based on their type of offering, business overviews, geographic presence, enterprise strategies, segment market share, and SWOT analysis. The report also provides an elaborative analysis focusing on the current news and developments of the companies, which includes type development, innovations, joint ventures, partnerships, mergers & acquisitions, strategic alliances, and others. This allows for the evaluation of the overall competition within the market.

List of Key Companies

• Novozymes
• DuPont USA
• Schaumann Bioenergy
• Enzyme Development Corporation
• Montana Microbial Products
• Enzyme Supplies Ltd.
• Noor Creations
• Enzyme Solutions Inc.
• Royal DSM
• Specialty Enzymes & Biotechnologies Co.
• Jiangsu Boli Bioproducts Co. Ltd.
• BASF
• Others

Key Target Audience

• Market Players
• Investors
• End-users
• Government Authorities 
• Consulting And Research Firm
• Venture capitalists
• Value-Added Resellers (VARs) 

Market Segment

This study forecasts revenue at global, regional, and country levels from 2020 to 2035. Spherical Insights has segmented the starch-based ethanol market based on the below-mentioned segments:  

Global Starch-based Ethanol Market, By Feedstock Type

• Corn
• Wheat
• Barley
• Cassava
• Others

Global Starch-based Ethanol Market, By Production Process

• Dry Milling
• Wet Milling
•  

Global Starch-based Ethanol Market, By Application

• Fuel
• Industrial Solvents
• Beverages
• Pharmaceuticals
• Others

Global Starch-based Ethanol Market, By End User

• Transportation
• Industrial
• Food & Beverage
• Pharmaceuticals
• Others

Global Starch-based Ethanol Market, By Regional Analysis

• North America
  • US
  • Canada
  • Mexico

• Europe
  • Germany
  • UK
  • France
  • Italy
  • Spain
  • Russia
  • Rest of Europe

• Asia Pacific
  • China
  • Japan
  • India
  • South Korea
  • Australia
  • Rest of Asia Pacific

• South America
  • Brazil
  • Argentina
  • Rest of South America

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