The global artificial photosynthesis market size reached USD 72.75 million in 2023 and is projected to be worth around USD 284.73 million by 2033, with a noteworthy CAGR of 14.62% from 2024 to 2033.
The artificial photosynthesis market involves the development, production, and deployment of technologies that mimic the natural process of photosynthesis to convert sunlight, water, and carbon dioxide into energy-rich compounds and other useful products. Artificial photosynthesis systems (APS) are biomimetic devices that mimic the natural photosynthesis process, which generates energy-dense chemicals and oxygen by utilizing carbon dioxide, water, and sunlight.
Since APS includes splitting water into hydrogen and oxygen and reduces carbon dioxide to hydrocarbons like formic acid, methane, carbon monoxide, or hydrogen fuel, it can be an alternative source of renewable energy. To develop a semi-artificial photosynthesis system, researchers are attempting to integrate elements of artificial and natural photosynthesis. Moreover, APS can purify the atmosphere by removing surplus carbon dioxide and replenishing it with oxygen.
Artificial Photosynthesis Market Key Insights
- North America led the global artificial photosynthesis market in 2023.
- Asia Pacific is expected to expand at a solid CAGR during the forecast period.
- By technology, the co-electrolysis segment has held a major revenue share in 2023.
Download the Sample Report ( Including Full TOC, List of Table & Figures, Chart): https://www.precedenceresearch.com/sample/4543
Artificial Photosynthesis Market Top Companies
- Indian Institute of Science (IISC)
- A-LEAF
- Engie SA
- Formerly Opus 12
- Berkeley Lab
- Evonik Industries AG
- ICIQ
- FUJIFILM Corporation
- Fujitsu Limited
- Sito
Recent Developments
- In June 2024, to produce hydrogen peroxide, an essential industrial chemical, the National University of Singapore has created hexavalent photocatalytic covalent organic frameworks (COFs) that replicate natural photosynthesis. This environmentally friendly method employs sunshine as an energy source and plentiful water and air as feedstocks instead of the more energy-intensive, expensive noble metal catalysts, high-pressure hydrogen gas, and dangerous solvents used in the standard anthraquinone process.
- In May 2024, Exeger continues to expand by building a second “artificial photosynthesis” factory.
- In October 2023, Researchers created a prototype system that uses carbon dioxide, water, and sunshine to manufacture methane—a powerful fuel with a high energy density—by simulating the natural process of photosynthesis. With its publication in ACS Engineering Au, this ground-breaking study offers a preview of what lies ahead for renewable energy systems.
- In October 2023, simulating “plant power” by means of artificial photosynthesis
- A group at ACS Engineering Au has created a working prototype system that uses carbon dioxide, water, and sunshine to create methane. A vital part of natural gas, this fuel is high in energy and has the potential to partially replace nonrenewable fossil fuels. The group hypothesizes that, eventually, there would be less demand for nonrenewable fossil fuels if methane production from renewable sources can be streamlined.
- In November 2022, an inventive new artificial photosynthesis system created by six scientists at the University of Chicago performs noticeably better than earlier artificial systems.
Artificial Photosynthesis Market Scope
| Report Coverage | Details |
| Market Size by 2033 | USD 284.73 Million |
| Market Size in 2023 | USD 72.75 Million |
| Market Size in 2024 | USD 83.39 Million |
| Market Growth Rate from 2024 to 2033 | CAGR of 14.62% |
| Largest Market | North America |
| Base Year | 2023 |
| Forecast Period | 2024 to 2033 |
| Regions Covered | North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, and Middle East & Africa |
Artificial Photosynthesis Market Technology Outlook
The co-electrolysis segment dominated the artificial photosynthesis market in 2023. Increased research and development in electrochemical processes because of renewable energy sources is anticipated to propel the segment’s expansion. Co-electrolysis technology is an appealing approach to reduce energy input and double the output of compounds with added value. It entails the co-electrolysis of various chemical precursors.
Although there has been some recent development in this area, a review of the subject is much needed. There are four types of co-electrolysis systems: (1) agent sacrificing at one electrode to encourage the conversion of an electrochemical precursor at the other; (2) parallel conversions of electrochemical precursors; (3) electrochemical conversions of two precursors into one or the same product; and (4) double/multiple conversions of electrochemical precursors at one side.
Artificial Photosynthesis Market Regional Outlook
North America dominated the artificial photosynthesis market in 2023. As more individuals in the area use green technology to lessen their carbon footprint, there is a greater awareness of greenhouse gas emissions, which is partly responsible for the market rise. Furthermore, the nations of North America are investing in energy technology that is state-of-the-art, such as carbon recycling and fuel cells, which may increase demand for artificial photosynthesis. Because artificial photosynthesis provides oxygen into the ecosystem and takes CO2 out of the atmosphere, it is good for the environment.
Asia-Pacific is expected to witness significant growth during the forecast period. Asia Pacific is one of the primary markets implementing green technology to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, with nations such as China, Japan, and South Korea boosting investments in advanced fuel cells, carbon recycling, and other energy-generation technologies.
- In June 2023, with funding from the European Commission, the A-LEAF project broke the global record for producing sustainable fuels from CO2 and H2O. The goal of the multinational group, which included scientists from France, Germany, Italy, Spain, and Switzerland, was to build a functional artificial leaf that uses sunlight to transform the rich materials found on Earth into renewable energy.
Read Also: Pain Management Drugs Market Size to Increase USD 120.16 Bn by 2033
Artificial Photosynthesis Market Dynamics
Driver
Environmental concern
Environmental concern is a major driver for the growth of the artificial photosynthesis market. The world faces difficulties in resolving resource depletion and climate change due to the growing CO2 emissions, which are mostly caused by finite fossil fuel resources. A viable substitute is artificial photosynthesis, which creates energy-rich molecules from CO2 and water by using sunshine. This energy source is endless and renewable. There are still issues, though, such as resource-intensive manufacturing, environmental effects, and energy-intensive procedures.
Nevertheless, novel strategies like Z-scheme heterojunctions and stable heterometallic Fe2M cluster-based metal-organic frameworks have been investigated in contemporary artificial photosynthesis research. The main goals are to improve charge transfer efficiency, optimize structural designs, and deal with issues like sluggish reaction kinetics and CO2 inertness.
Restraint
Stability issues
Millions of turnovers are anticipated to be impacted by artificial photosynthesis catalysts; however, with time, they will become less stable than photovoltaics due to their tendency to corrode in water. Oxygen can cause hydrogen catalysts to become inactive or deteriorate over time.
The absorption of a photon by the photosensitizer, which results in the PS* excited state, is the first step in the light-driven H2 evolution accelerated by synthetic systems. After that, there is a photoinduced electron transfer that occurs either by a reductive quenching of the PS* by the sacrificial electron donor, which results in the reduced PS−, or by an oxidative quenching process where the catalyst acts as the electron acceptor. This reduces the catalyst to its active state.
Opportunity
Advanced technology
Selectivity, catalytic performance, and light absorption capacities have all increased because of developments in nanotechnology and molecular manipulation. With the use of a free-base porphyrin-fullerene molecule and a hexad nanoparticle containing four zinc tetraarylporphyrin molecules, researchers have successfully produced antennae complexes that mimic natural photosynthesis. Supramolecular cages have been shown to enhance catalytic efficiency in the synthesis of nanoscale materials and devices resulting from bottom-up nanofabrication.
The functioning of devices such as single photoelectrodes and photovoltaic coupled electrolyzers can be greatly impacted by the materials used in their nanostructure. Ion concentration, temperature, and pressure are important physical variables. Carbon dioxide emissions from wastewater treatment (WWT) may be captured and used as renewable energy. An integrated strategy that supports solar harvesting, conversion, and storage while achieving carbon neutrality combines artificial photosynthesis with hybrid microbial photoelectrochemical (MPEC).
“The Sustainable Consumer” investigates producing food and energy using artificial photosynthesis.
Harvard University scientist Daniel Nocera is creating environmentally friendly instruments to give the world’s poorest people access to electricity and food. He thinks that by the middle of the century, the world’s energy consumption will have doubled and that scientists and decision-makers need to collaborate to do this without emitting additional carbon. Water molecules are divided into oxygen and hydrogen by Nocera’s artificial leaf, a silicon chip covered in water-splitting catalysts.
The result is a clean fuel that can be stored and utilized right away. Hydrogen becomes a net-zero fuel when it is converted into a liquid biofuel by the bionic leaf. Additionally, Nocera’s lab created Xanthobacter autotrophic us, a cyanobacterium that secretes ammonia when it combines hydrogen with ambient nitrogen, preventing the emission of 280,000 pounds of CO2 during the fertilizer-making process.
