Lactase Market

Lactase Market: Overview

The Lactase Market is valued at USD 302.2 Mn in 2026 and is projected to reach USD 460.4 Mn,  growing at a CAGR of 6% by 2033. Factors such as growing demand for lactose-free dairy products and increasing product development & innovations in other application areas are anticipated to drive the market growth. Lactase is predominantly utilized in the food & beverage application, specifically consumed as dairy enzymes, as it makes dairy products lactose-free by decreasing and eliminating the lactose content. The increasing cases of lactose intolerance across the globe are key factors augmenting product demand.

Market revenue growth is primarily driven by growing lactose-intolerant cases worldwide and increasing concerns regarding digestive issues. Consumers diagnosed with lactose intolerance have difficulty digesting lactose, owing to lactase deficiency in the body. The growing prevalence of health issues such as diarrhea, abdominal pain, nausea, bloating, and excess flatulence owing to the utilization of food & drink containing lactose is resulting in a shift in consumer preference toward lactose-free dairy products. Growing demand for lactose-free, decreased-sugar, low-allergenic, high protein, low-fat, and plant-based products among health-conscious consumers is expanding lactase demand, reducing lactose content in dairy products.

Furthermore, Lactase is usually taken out from yeast. However, extensive research & development is going on regarding the other sources of lactase enzymes, including bacteria and fungi. Lactase enzymes taken out from bacterial sources have been utilized for lactose hydrolysis because of several benefits, such as their ease of fermentation, high activity, and stability. Lactase enzymes sourced from a probiotic organism are utilized for food and food systems. Fungal sources of lactase enzymes possess an optimal acidic pH range of 2.2 to 5.4. due to this, lactase sourced from fungi is more effective for the hydrolysis of lactose found in acidic substances, such as whey.

Lactase Market: COVID-19 Impact

The sudden outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic has led to the exchange of consumer inclination from conventional brick-and-mortar distribution channels towards online retail platforms for the leverage of lactase in various dosage forms, such as drops, capsules, tablets, etc. The lactase market is expected to be a profitable post-COVID scenario owing to the increased inclination of consumers toward immunity-boosting dairy products. Dairy associations in China have formulated guidelines for dairy utilization to boost immunity, including lactose-free milk for lactose-intolerant people.

Lactase Market: Drivers

Rising Cases of Lactose-Intolerance to Drive Market Growth

Lactase enzyme finds its major applications in the food & beverage industry, majorly for dairy products, as it decreases the lactose content and makes the products lactose-free. The growth in the lactose intolerant population globally is one of the major factors enhancing the growth of the lactase market, which is utilized in producing lactose-free dairy products. The demand for lactose-free dairy products is driven by the growth in incidences of food allergies and intolerances. According to the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI), nearly 65% of the global population is vulnerable to lactase deficiency. Thus, this has led to a rise in the production of lactose-free dairy products, which assist the lactose-intolerant population in avoiding gastrointestinal problems. People with lactose intolerance are unable to digest lactose in the milk owing to the lack of an enzyme called lactase, which is naturally present in the intestinal tract of children and adults. It causes diarrhea and bloating after using any dairy product, especially milk. Lactase converts the milk sugar found in dairy products, such as ice cream, milk, and cheese, to readily digestible sugars, such as glucose and galactose. Without sufficient lactase, the lactose in food ferments in the intestine produces undesirable side effects. In addition, the growth in health awareness and wellness concerns among consumers is a key factor that is anticipated to drive the growth and demand for lactose-free dairy products.

Development of Innovative Solutions to Drive Market Growth

Developing and manufacturing innovative solutions for the lactase market augment the growth over the forecast period. For instance, in November 2020, Royal DSM introduced the new Maxilact Super lactase enzyme. The company advanced its leading portfolio of Maxilact lactases, which allows dairy manufacturers to produce high-quality, lactose-free, and sugar-reduced dairy while also assisting in cutting hydrolysis time by 33%. With the support of this new enzyme, producers of lactose-free dairy can monopolize health appeal, authenticity, and sensory experience, which consumers anticipated in all applications, without adding complexity to the production process. Furthermore, In June 2019, Novozymes (Denmark) extended its presence in East Africa, allowing the company to meet the consumer demand for enzyme products.

Lactase Market: Restraints

Shifting Preferences Toward Dairy-Free Alternatives to Hamper Market Growth

In recent times, one of the major functional requirements by consumers has been the requirement for dairy alternatives for eliminating the problems of cow milk allergy, calorie concerns, lactose intolerance, and the prevalence of hypercholesterolemia. The usage of plant-based dairy products has increased due to the absence of lactose and cholesterol in dairy products, which makes the products suitable for a group of the population enduring heart disease and lactose intolerance and, in general, for all. Moreover, in recent years, plant sources such as legumes and cereals have been highly adopted as functional food and nutraceuticals as their health-promoting components include dietary fibers, minerals,  antioxidants and vitamins. Due to these benefits of dairy products, the demand for plant-based dairy is growing. The increasing opportunity in the dairy-free sector is hampering the growth of lactose-free dairy products, which can be one of the restraints for the lactase enzyme, as it is the prime raw material utilized for processing regular dairy products into lactose-free dairy products.

Lactase Market: Segment Overview

Food & Beverage to Dominate Market due to Increasing Consumption of High-Quality Foods

The growing awareness regarding health and growing incidences of lactase non-persistence is expected to boost the market growth during the forecast period. Growing consumption of high-quality foods providing natural flavor and taste contributed to the segment's growth. Lactase enzymes act as catalysts in breaking lactose (a disaccharide) into smaller compounds, namely galactose and glucose. Dairy manufacturers are enhancing their consumer base by introducing newer products that are low-fat, low-sugar, and rich in proteins, fibers, and vitamins. Growing awareness related to digestive health issues is projected to enhance the consumption of lactase-based dietary supplements. Moreover, the launch of new delivery forms, such as strength caplets and fast act chewables, to stop lactose digestion problems, including abdominal bloating, gas, nausea, stomach ache, and diarrhea, are expected further to enhance the product demand in dietary supplements applications.

With Increased Demand for Non-Toxic Biological Enzyme, Dry Lactase Category Dominated Market

The dry Lactase segment is anticipated to hold a prominent share in the global lactase market during the forecast period. Lactase powder is a non-toxic biological enzyme that satisfies the Food Chemical Codex (FCC) and Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA) specifications for food-grade substances, permitting the usage of the product in various food and dietary supplement applications. As per the paper issued by the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) in 2017, over 20% of the population consuming a typical Western diet suffers from digestive problems, thereby making indigestion of food one of the key health concerns.

Lactase Market: Regional Landscape

North America to Dominate Market due to Growing Awareness among Health Conscious Consumers

North America attributed for largest revenue share contribution to the global lactase market during the forecast period. Growing awareness among health-conscious consumers related to digestive issues associated with lactose intolerance and increasing demand for more affordable and nutritious dairy solutions to assist healthier lifestyles without compromising taste and texture are driving demand for lactase enzymes among food and beverage industries in the region. Food and beverage industries in the region are growing and utilizing lactase enzymes to produce several lactose-free products, such as drinkable yogurt, ice cream, and flavored milk. The presence of the advanced food and beverage processing industry in the region is another key factor attributing to the growth of the lactase market in the region.

Furthermore, revenue generated from the lactase market in the Asia Pacific is anticipated to enhance rapidly during the forecast period. Advancements in food & beverage industries in several countries such as India, China, and Vietnam are anticipated to provide more lucrative opportunities for lactose-free dairy product manufacturers. Lactose intolerance is ordinary among consumers in countries in the region. An anticipated 90-100% of adults in East Asia and 80% in Central Asia have an impaired ability to digest lactose. Growing demand for lactose-free dairy products in the region is anticipated to grow demand for lactase enzymes as most Asian people suffer from lactose intolerance. Lactose-free dairy products are easier to digest and provide health benefits and nutritional value, driving the demand among health-conscious consumers in the region.

Global Lactase Market: Competitive Landscape

In July 2020, DuPont Nutrition & Biosciences (N&B) launched Danisco Bonlacta, a new lactase enzyme solution developed for producing a nutritional profile in terms of fiber and sugar content for lactose-free dairy products. The product was launched for the North American market and is a thermophilic type of lactase with a unique capacity to withstand high-temperature processing methods. Furthermore, in March 2020, Novozymes introduced Saphera Fiber, a new lactase enzyme. It can be utilized to expand the content of fibers while decreasing sugar in fermented and non-fermented dairy products. Its utilization will cater to the growing demand for clean-label products, as it can be utilized to produce dairy products sustainably with less use of artificial or chemically produced ingredients.

Few of the players in the Lactase Market include 

• Novozymes A/S
• DuPont (Danisco)
• DSM Food Specialties
• AB Enzymes GmbH
• DSM-Firmenich
• Lallemand Inc.
• Kerry Group plc
• Genencor (a subsidiary of IFF)
• Enzyme Development Corporation
• Amano Enzyme Inc.
• Amano Enzyme Europe Ltd.
• Advanced Enzyme Technologies Ltd.
• Meiji Seika Pharma Co., Ltd.
• Shandong Longda Biotech Co., Ltd.
• Zhejiang Huahai Biotechnology Co., Ltd.

Global Lactase Market Segmentation is Described Below:

By Product Type

• Yeast-derived Lactase
• Fungal-derived Lactase
• Bacterial-derived Lactase

By Form

• Liquid
• Dry

By Application

• Food & Beverage
  • Dairy Processing
  • Ice Cream & Frozen Desserts
  • Bakery Products
  • Infant Formula
• Dietary Supplements
• Pharmaceuticals

By Region

• North America
• Europe
• Asia Pacific
• Latin America
• Middle East and Africa