Used Cooking Oil Market Size, Share [2034]

USED COOKING OIL MARKET OVERVIEW

The global Used Cooking Oil Market size was valued approximately USD 8.01 Billion in 2024 and will touch USD 16.11 by 2033, growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.07% from 2024 to 2033.

Used cooking oil is oil that's been used for cooking and has picked up stuff like food bits, water, and other things. It can come from plants, animals, or synthetic sources and is used in things like fryers and pans. After cooking, the oil cools down and can be thrown away, recycled, or reused. If not thrown away right, it can hurt the environment. But if processed well, it can be used for things like making biodiesel, animal feed, and in industries. Recycling it is also good for the planet, cutting down waste and needing less new oil.

COVID-19 IMPACT

“Impact on Collection and Disposal Practices”

The COVID-19 pandemic messed up the collection and disposal of used cooking oil. When restaurants, fast-food places, and commercial kitchens closed or worked less, there was less oil to collect. This made it hard for recycling companies and biodiesel makers to keep a steady supply. Plus, travel restrictions and social distancing made it tough to move the oil to recycling places, causing delays and problems in the industry.

LATEST TREND

”Increased Use of Used Cooking Oil in Biodiesel Production”

In the used cooking oil world, people are making biodiesel from it. Since everyone wants cleaner energy, there's a bigger demand for biodiesel made from used oil. This is happening because of environmental rules and the need for renewable energy. Governments and businesses are offering incentives for using fuels like biodiesel, which makes used cooking oil more valuable. Biodiesel companies are ramping up their collection and production to meet growing demand, helping to boost the market.

USED COOKING OIL MARKET SEGMENTATION

By Type

Based on Type, the global market can be categorized into Unrefined Used Cooking Oil and Refined Used Cooking Oil.

Unrefined Used Cooking Oil: Unrefined used cooking oil is cooking oil that has not been cleaned up after cooking. People see this oil in restaurants, fast food restaurants or at home. This oil is usually collected and recycled, mainly used to make biodiesel. There is a large market for this oil, but it is not valuable and is relatively cheap because it contains impurities and is difficult to use in certain industries.
Refined Used Cooking Oil: Refined used cooking oil is oil that has been purified to become purer and safer. It is ideal for use in biodiesel and animal feed, among other things. It is cleaner and has a wider range of uses. It costs more because it has been processed, but it is a good choice for high-quality needs such as biofuel or cosmetics. As people become more environmentally friendly, the demand for refined oil is growing.

By Application

Based on application, the global market can be categorized into Industrial Usage, Animal Feed, and Others.

Industrial Usage: Used cooking oil in industries is mainly recycled to make biodiesel and other energy. It's also used in making soap or as a lubricant. The need for it in industries, especially for biodiesel, is going up because the world wants renewable and sustainable energy. This use has a big market share, thanks to government rules and rewards for green energy. But, the industry has trouble getting a steady supply of good-quality oil, and the market changes with oil prices and competition from other biofuels.
Animal Feed: Used cooking oil is sometimes mixed into animal feed to give them energy and fats, especially for livestock. This use is becoming more popular because it's a cheaper feed option. But, there are worries about health and diseases in livestock, which could slow down its growth. The market for this use is growing, especially in farming areas of developing countries, but rules and food safety concerns might stop it from being used everywhere.
Others: This part covers some smaller uses of used cooking oil, like in cosmetics, lubricants, and cleaning products. It's not as big as industrial and animal feed uses, but it's growing. Cosmetics and personal care products are using more used cooking oil because people like natural and sustainable ingredients. Some smaller uses, like lubricants and cleaning products, are also becoming more popular. But, the market for these uses is still small and specialized, and it grows slowly because it depends on what consumers want and the need for very refined oil.

MARKET DYNAMICS

Market dynamics include driving and restraining factors, opportunities and challenges stating the market conditions.

Driving Factors

”Growing Demand for Biodiesel”

Biodiesel demand is big for the used cooking oil market. Biodiesel, mainly made from used cooking oil, is a hit as a fossil fuel substitute. Governments and industries are keen on cleaner, renewable energy to reduce carbon emissions and tackle climate change. Recycled oil-based biodiesel is in the spotlight, especially in Europe and North America, where countries offer perks for producing it. So, used cooking oil is now a valuable resource for moving towards more sustainable transportation.

Restraining Factor

”Obstacles in collection and transportation”

A main issue for the used cooking oil market is collecting and transporting big amounts of oil. Places like restaurants, food plants, and homes often don't have the setup to gather and store it well. In many areas, there aren't good systems for collecting waste oil, and moving it can be expensive and tough, especially in remote or rural spots. This mess in the supply chain leads to a lot of waste and stops oil from being recycled or reused properly, which limits what it can be used for, like making biodiesel.

Opportunity

”Circular Economy and Sustainability Trends”

The drive for sustainability and the circular economy is a huge chance for the used cooking oil market. More businesses and individuals are recycling waste because they care about the planet. Used cooking oil is perfect for this, as it can be turned into biodiesel, soaps, and animal feed. Companies are realizing the financial savings and eco-benefits of recycling, which gives them new opportunities to collect, process, and sell used cooking oil. This focus on sustainability could help the market expand and boost the amount of oil recycled annually.

Challenge

”Contamination and Quality Control Issues”

A big challenge in the used cooking oil market is contamination. Waste oil often has food bits, chemicals, and other impurities that need to be taken out before it can be used again. This makes recycling harder and more expensive. If oil isn't filtered and refined right, it might not be good enough for biofuel, animal feed, or other products. Keeping oil consistent and safe is a tough challenge for companies to meet quality standards and industry rules.

USED COOKING OIL MARKET REGIONAL INSIGHTS

North America

In North America, the used cooking oil market is hot because people want biodiesel, which is a big use for recycled oil. There's good recycling setup here, and oil is collected from restaurants, food chains, and homes. The focus on renewable energy and sustainability, plus government rewards for biodiesel, has given the market a boost. Plus, worries about waste have made businesses and consumers recycle more oil. The U.S. and Canada are big players, with companies working hard to turn used oil into biofuel and other stuff like animal feed.

Europe

Europe has a strong used cooking oil market because it's really into sustainability and renewable energy. Countries like Germany, France, and Italy are top biodiesel producers from recycled oil. EU rules on waste and energy efficiency have made recycling oil a big part of their circular economy. The need for eco-friendly options in transport and energy has also helped the market grow. Plus, using oil in animal feed and cosmetics has opened up new chances for the market.

Asia

Asia's used cooking oil market is growing fast, especially in China, India, and Japan. More people living in cities, eating more food, and caring about the environment are helping this. China has made rules to stop the illegal sale of used oil, called "gutter oil," and is promoting safe recycling for biodiesel. So, there's a bigger formal market for used oil now. India is also into recycling because of biodiesel, and Japan uses recycled oil for energy and animal feed. But, many parts of Asia still need more infrastructure and awareness to make the most of this resource.

KEY INDUSTRY PLAYERS

”Battling for Supremacy with Eco-Friendly Innovations and New Uses”

The used cooking oil market is super competitive, with lots of players from small to big companies. They fight over how good they are at collecting and processing oil, how big they are, and the quality of their products. They also want long-term deals with foodservice businesses for steady supplies. Being eco-friendly and following rules is key now, so they invest in green tech. They're also finding new uses for the oil to stay ahead.

List of Top Used Cooking Oil Market Companies

ABP Food Group
Arrow Oils
Baker Commodities
Darling Ingredients
Veolia

KEY INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENTS

June 2023 – ORLEN Unipetrol partnered with Czech Technical University in Prague and the Czech University of Life Sciences to launch a pilot project for cooking oil collection. The initiative aims to examine the recycling options of the product and its effective conversion into biofuel and petrochemicals.

February 2023: Olleco announced the construction of a state-of-the-art used cooking oil processing plant in East London at the Stolthaven Terminals facility in Dagenham. The new plant will not only strengthen its ability to serve the customers in the southeast of England but also create opportunities for collaboration with our new partnership, Olleco Bunge, throughout the EU.

REPORT COVERAGE

The study encompasses a comprehensive SWOT analysis and provides insights into future developments within the market. It examines various factors that contribute to the growth of the market, exploring a wide range of market categories and potential applications that may impact its trajectory in the coming years. The analysis takes into account both current trends and historical turning points, providing a holistic understanding of the market's components and identifying potential areas for growth.

The used cooking oil market is booming because folks are craving more sustainable energy. This oil, which was once just trashed, is now being recycled into things like biodiesel and animal feed. It's all because the world is all about sustainability now, with governments and businesses striving to cut down carbon emissions and waste. Companies that collect, recycle, and turn this oil into renewable stuff are seeing big growth opportunities. Plus, the food service industry is growing, and consumers are more aware of environmental issues.

In the future, the used cooking oil market will keep growing because people want more renewable energy and sustainable practices. New technologies that make biodiesel production better will help push the market. Also, stricter rules on waste and carbon emissions will probably make more companies recycle used cooking oil. With more people knowing about waste-to-energy and the circular economy, the market has a lot of potential to grow, especially in new economies where food service and environmental issues are both big.