Introduction – Core User Needs & Industry Context

Animal feed manufacturers using barley, wheat, and oats face challenges: β-glucans (non-starch polysaccharides in cereal cell walls) increase digesta viscosity, reduce nutrient absorption, and cause wet litter in poultry. Traditional feed formulations cannot fully utilize β-glucan-bound nutrients. Feed β-glucanase — exogenous β-glucan-degrading enzymes produced by fungal or bacterial fermentation — solves these challenges. This functional enzyme preparation degrades β-glucans, reducing their anti-nutritional effects in the animal digestive tract, thereby improving feed utilization in monogastric animals (poultry, pigs) and aquaculture. According to the latest industry analysis, the global market for Feed β-Glucanase was estimated at US$ 45.83 million in 2025 and is projected to reach US$ 75.21 million by 2032, growing at a CAGR of 7.4% from 2026 to 2032. In 2024, global production reached 7,120 tons, with an average global market price of US$ 6,010 per ton.

Global Leading Market Research Publisher QYResearch announces the release of its latest report "Feed β-Glucanase - Global Market Share and Ranking, Overall Sales and Demand Forecast 2026-2032". Based on current situation and impact historical analysis (2021-2025) and forecast calculations (2026-2032), this report provides a comprehensive analysis of the global Feed β-Glucanase market, including market size, share, demand, industry development status, and forecasts for the next few years.

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1. Core Keyword Integration & pH Classification

Three key concepts define the feed β-glucanase market: β-Glucan Degradation, Viscosity Reduction, and Monogastric Feed Efficiency. Based on optimal pH range, feed β-glucanase is classified into two types:

Acidic β-Glucanase: Active at pH 3.5-5.5 (matches stomach environment). Preferred for swine and poultry. ~60% market share.

Neutral β-Glucanase: Active at pH 6.0-7.5 (intestinal environment). Used in aquaculture and some poultry applications. ~40% share.

2. Industry Layering: Swine vs. Poultry vs. Aquaculture – Divergent Requirements

Aspect Swine Poultry Aquaculture Ruminant
Primary feed Barley-wheat, corn-soy Barley-wheat, corn-soy Soy-based, fishmeal Forage, grain
β-Glucan source Barley, wheat, oats Barley, wheat, oats Soy, corn gluten Limited
Key benefit Reduced viscosity, better growth Reduced wet litter, FCR improvement Improved digestibility Minimal
Preferred type Acidic Acidic Neutral Acidic
Market share (2025) ~35% ~45% ~15% ~5%
Exclusive observation: The poultry segment dominates (45% share), driven by barley-based diets and wet litter issues in broilers. The aquaculture segment is fastest-growing (CAGR 8.5%), fueled by plant-based feed expansion.

3. How Feed β-Glucanase Works – Mechanism & Benefits

β-Glucan Source Feed Type Anti-Nutritional Effect Enzyme Benefit
Barley (4-8% β-glucan) Swine, poultry High viscosity, sticky droppings Viscosity reduction
Wheat (0.5-1.5% β-glucan) Poultry Moderate viscosity Improved digestibility
Oats (3-6% β-glucan) Horses, swine Moderate viscosity Nutrient release
Soybean meal Aquaculture Fiber encapsulation Protein digestibility
Key benefits:

Reduced digesta viscosity: Improved nutrient diffusion

Increased nutrient digestibility: +5-10% energy, +3-7% protein

Reduced wet litter: Lower moisture in poultry excreta

Improved feed conversion ratio (FCR) : -5-8%

4. Recent Data & Technical Developments (Last 6 Months)

Between Q4 2025 and Q1 2026, several advancements have reshaped the feed β-glucanase market:

Thermostable β-glucanase formulations: New enzymes withstand pelleting temperatures (80-95°C) without activity loss. Adoption grew 25% in 2025.

Multi-enzyme complexes: β-Glucanase + xylanase + protease in single product for barley-based diets. This segment grew 30% in 2025.

Precision fermentation: Engineered Trichoderma reesei strains for higher enzyme yields (40%+ increase). Adoption grew 20% in 2025.

Policy driver – EU antibiotic reduction (2025 update) : Ban on growth-promoting antibiotics accelerating β-glucanase adoption for gut health.

User case – Barley-based broiler feed (Canada) : A poultry integrator added β-glucanase to barley-based broiler feed. Results: feed conversion ratio improved 7%, wet litter reduced 60%, and bird weight uniformity increased 15%.

Technical challenge – Enzyme stability in feed processing: High temperature during pelleting destroys enzymes. Solutions include:

Thermostable β-glucanase (engineered for heat resistance)

Post-pelleting liquid application (spray-on after pelleting)

Granulated encapsulation (protects during processing)

5. Competitive Landscape & Supply Chain

Company Headquarters Key Strength
Novozymes Denmark Global enzyme leader
DSM-Firmenich Netherlands/Switzerland Multi-enzyme platforms
AB Enzymes Germany β-Glucanase specialist
BASF Germany Animal nutrition portfolio
Kemin Industries USA Feed additives
Wuhan Sunhy Biology China Chinese domestic leader
Qingdao Vland China Enzyme manufacturer
Beijing Strowin (BSB) China Chinese market
Supply chain structure:

Upstream: Microbial strains (Trichoderma reesei, Aspergillus niger), fermentation raw materials (carbon sources: corn starch, nitrogen sources: soybean meal)

Midstream: Enzyme manufacturers (fermentation, purification, formulation)

Downstream: Large-scale feed producers, integrated livestock operations

Regional dynamics:

Asia-Pacific largest (45% market share), led by China (largest feed producer), Vietnam, Thailand

Europe second (30%), with barley-based feed and antibiotic reduction

North America third (15%), with poultry and swine integration

Rest of World (10%), emerging (Brazil, Latin America)

6. Segment Analysis by pH Type and Animal Type

Segment Characteristics 2024 Share CAGR (2026-2032)
By pH Type
Acidic Swine, poultry (stomach pH) ~60% 7%
Neutral Aquaculture, some poultry ~40% 8%
By Animal
Poultry Largest ~45% 7%
Swine Second ~35% 7%
Aquaculture Fastest-growing ~15% 8.5%
Ruminant Niche ~5% 6%
Others (horses, pets) Emerging ~5% 7%
The neutral β-glucanase segment is fastest-growing (CAGR 8%). The aquaculture application leads growth (CAGR 8.5%).

7. Exclusive Industry Observation & Future Outlook

Why feed β-glucanase is essential for barley-based diets:

Challenge Without β-Glucanase With β-Glucanase
Digesta viscosity High Low
Nutrient digestibility 65-75% 75-85%
Wet litter (poultry) Common Rare
Feed conversion ratio Baseline -5-8%
β-Glucan content in cereal grains:

Grain β-Glucan Content Enzyme Necessity
Barley 4-8% Very high
Oats 3-6% High
Wheat 0.5-1.5% Moderate
Corn <0.1% Low
Sorghum <0.1% Low
Cost-benefit analysis (per ton of barley-based feed) :

Metric Without Enzyme With Enzyme Benefit
Feed cost Baseline -$3-5 Savings
FCR improvement Baseline -5-7% $2-4
Reduced wet litter Baseline -50-70% $1-2
Enzyme cost $0 $1-2 Cost
Net benefit $5-9/ton
Global barley production (million tons) :

Region Barley Production Feed Use
Europe 60 40%
Russia 20 50%
Canada 10 60%
Australia 10 30%
Global 150 40%
Key trends:

Thermostable formulations: Survive pelleting (80-95°C)

Multi-enzyme complexes: β-Glucanase + xylanase + protease

Precision fermentation: Lower production costs

Antibiotic reduction: β-Glucanase as gut health tool

Aquaculture growth driver: Plant-based feeds in aquaculture contain β-glucans that reduce digestibility. β-Glucanase improves FCR by 5-10% in tilapia, shrimp, and salmon.

Comparison with xylanase:

Enzyme Primary Substrate Best For
β-Glucanase Barley, oats Barley-based diets
Xylanase Wheat, rye Wheat-based diets
By 2032, the feed β-glucanase market is expected to exceed US$ 75 million at 7.4% CAGR.

Regional outlook:

Asia-Pacific largest (45%), with China feed production

Europe second (30%), with barley-based feed

North America third (15%)

Rest of World (10%), emerging

Key barriers:

Enzyme cost sensitivity (feed margins are thin)

Thermal stability limitations (pelleting destroys some enzymes)

Barley usage variability (depends on grain prices)

Competition from alternative feed additives (probiotics, organic acids)

Regulatory approval timelines (new enzyme registrations)

Market nuance: The feed β-glucanase market is growing steadily (7.4% CAGR), driven by barley-based feed and antibiotic reduction. Acidic β-glucanase dominates (60% share); neutral fastest-growing (8% CAGR). Poultry leads (45% share); aquaculture fastest-growing (8.5% CAGR). Asia-Pacific leads (45%) with China feed production. Key trends: (1) thermostable enzymes, (2) multi-enzyme complexes, (3) precision fermentation, (4) EU antibiotic reduction.

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