India's Bioeconomy Surges To $151 Billion

India's bioeconomy has experienced significant growth, reaching a valuation of $151 billion by the end of 2023, according to a new report, which said that the surge highlights the bioeconomy's critical role in national development, contributing 4.25 percent to the country's GDP and positioning India among the top five global bioeconomies.

The report, prepared by the Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC) and the Association of Biotechnology Led Enterprises (ABLE), outlines transformative advances across biotechnology, agricultural innovation, healthcare, and biomanufacturing, driving the sector's expansion.

It was released during a session at the Global Bio-India Summit 2024.

The report said that India's bioeconomy has experienced significant growth, reaching a valuation of $151 billion by the end of 2023.

"This surge highlights the bioeconomy's critical role in national development, contributing 4.25 percent to the country's GDP and positioning India among the top five global bioeconomies," it said.

One of the major drivers of this growth has been the BioE3 (Biotechnology for Economy, Environment, and Employment) Policy, the report said, noting that the policy focusses on bio-based chemicals, precision biotherapeutics, climate-resilient agriculture, and advanced research in marine and space technologies.

It also emphasises the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in biomanufacturing, with plans to create biomanufacturing and bio-AI hubs.

These efforts are expected to create new employment opportunities, particularly in tier-II and tier-III cities, while supporting the integration of biotechnology across various industries, the report said.

The bioindustrial sector remains the largest contributor to India's bioeconomy, accounting for $72.6 billion or 48.09 percent, of the total market, the report said.

This sector includes biofuels, bioplastics, and enzyme applications in industries such as textiles and detergents. Biofuels, in particular, have seen a sharp rise, with ethanol production capacity increasing to 13.8 billion litres in 2023, making India the world's third-largest producer of ethanol.

The Ethanol Blended Petrol (EBP) programme, which promotes domestic ethanol production, has been central to reducing India's dependency on imported fuels and enhancing energy security, the report added.

The Biopharma sector also saw impressive growth, contributing $53.8 billion or 35.65 percent, to the bioeconomy.

India's vaccine manufacturing capacity continues to be a global leader, with companies like Serum Institute of India (SII) producing over 3 billion doses annually. Major breakthroughs, such as the R21/Matrix-M malaria vaccine and India's first quadrivalent Human Papillomavirus vaccine (HPV), have highlighted India's prowess in vaccine production.

The diagnostics and medical devices segment, which grew to $19.4 billion, has also played a crucial role in addressing healthcare challenges, particularly through advancements in early disease detection and personalised medicine, the report said.

In the Bioagri sector, which accounted for $12.44 billion (8.24 percent), agricultural biotechnology continues to drive innovations in sustainable farming practices. Precision agriculture technologies, such as genetically modified crops and biobased products like biopesticides, are being increasingly adopted to enhance agricultural productivity.

"Bt cotton remains a key example of how biotechnology is improving crop resilience and yields, contributing to sustainable agriculture growth in India," the report said.

India's bioservices sector, valued at $12.1 billion (8.02 percent), has emerged as a critical support system for the bioeconomy, providing contract research, clinical trials, and biotech software services, the report said.

"This segment grew by 30 percent in 2023, reflecting India's expanding role as a global hub for research and development. The sector's growth is expected to continue, with increasing demand for outsourced research and specialised bioservices that help accelerate product commercialisation," the report added.

Looking ahead, the report said India's bioeconomy is expected to continue its robust expansion, targeting a valuation of $300 billion by 2030.

"This growth will be driven by advancements in sectors like bioindustrial, biopharma, and bioagri, along with strategic government policies such as the BioE3 initiative. The bioeconomy is also projected to support over 35,000 startups and create 35 million jobs by the end of the decade, underscoring its potential as a key driver of India's sustainable development and economic growth," it said.