A detailed global analysis of Brand Share Analysis for Human Milk Oligosaccharides Industry

Human Milk Oligosaccharides Market Share Analysis Outlook From 2025 to 2035

The human milk oligosaccharides (HMO) market is dominated by a mix of multinational companies and niche biotech companies pushing the innovation. The leading MNC players control about 60% of the market, with industry leaders like Jennewein, KYOWA HAKKO BIO CO. LTD., and DuPont dominating synthetic HMOs and infant nutrition uses. 30% of the market belongs to regional leaders and mid-sized biotech companies that deal in niche applications and regional supply.

10% includes startups and niche companies with unique formulations and innovative methods of production. This market has a moderate to high degree of concentration where the dominant players hold a major part of commercial-scale manufacturing and distribution.

Market Share by Key Players

Market Structure	Top Multinationals
Industry Share (%)	60%
Key Companies	Jennewein, KYOWA HAKKO BIO, DuPont, etc.

Market Structure	Regional Leaders
Industry Share (%)	30%
Key Companies	zuChem Inc., Elicityl SA, BASF SE, Dextra Laboratories Limited, Carbosynth

Market Structure	Startups & Niche Brands
Industry Share (%)	10%
Key Companies	Emerging biotech firms and specialized manufacturers

The market is consolidated, with multinational entities dominating research, production, and commercialization, while regional biotech players add value through niche formulations and localized innovation.

Segment Analysis

By Product Type

Fucosylated HMOs capture 35% of the market, mainly because of their application in infant formula and their established status in immune modulation. Jennewein and DuPont have been at the forefront of commercializing 2'-Fucosyllactose (2'-FL), the most prevalent HMO in human milk. The availability of fucosylated HMOs in breast milk substitutes has fueled their growth into premium infant formula products.

40% of the market is made up of non-fucosylated neutral HMOs, reflecting high interest in their gut microbiota-enriching effects, particularly in dietary supplements aimed at gut health and digestion support for adults.

Sialylated HMOs make up 25% of the market, with BASF and Nestlé Health Science dominating research on their cognitive and neurological effects. These HMOs are increasingly being added to functional beverages and medical nutrition, especially in North America and Europe, where consumers are looking for scientifically supported wellness products.

By Application

Infant formula is still the leading use, accounting for 60% of HMO demand. Companies like Nestlé and DSM-Firmenich are adding multi-HMO blends to replicate the human milk composition. Premium infant foods are growing in China, Japan, and the USA because of increasing birth rates and health-conscious parents.

The dietary supplements category is 40% driven by consumers demanding HMOs for immune support and gut health. In North America and Europe, HMOs are being incorporated into probiotic-fortified capsules, powders, and RTD drinks, which provide targeted microbiome support. Growing scientific study is anticipated to propel the growth of HMO-based adult supplements in international markets.

Who Shaped the Year

The HMO market in 2024 saw strategic acquisitions, mergers, and innovation-led investments that transformed the competitive dynamics. Firms concentrated on the upscaling of fermentation-based production of HMOs, which allowed cost reduction and increased adoption. Further, growing regulatory approvals in North America and Europe allowed commercialization of several new HMO variants, leading to market growth.

• Jennewein Enlarged HMO Portfolio: Introduced a new 6'-Sialyllactose (6'-SL) ingredient for brain health uses in infant nutrition.
• DSM-Firmenich Purchased Glycom: Augmented strengths in fermentation of HMO and new product ranges for immune wellness.
• Nestlé Health Science Improved Infant Formula Line: Developed new infant formulations with complex composition of five HMOs that mimic more precisely the properties of breast milk.
• BASF Made an investment in Precision Fermentation: Added fermentation-based manufacture of sialylated HMO to match up growing demand.
• KYOWA HAKKO BIO Established High-Purity HMOs: Initiated clinical trials investigating HMOs in adult gut health uses.
• DuPont Focused on Gut Microbiome Research: Enhanced collaborations with universities for advanced HMO research.
• zuChem Obtained Patent for Synthetic HMO Manufacturing: Realized cost savings in large-scale production.
• Elicityl SA Collaborated with Functional Food Brands: Created new HMO-based gut health solutions for adults.
• Carbosynth Launches HMO-Enriched Probiotic Formulations: Diversified its portfolio with synbiotic applications.
• Dextra Laboratories Delved into Prebiotic Research: Perfected research on synergistic combinations of HMOs and probiotics.

Key Highlights from the Forecast

• Increased Demand for Multi-HMO Formulations: More firms are formulating sophisticated HMO mixtures to support gut and immune health.
• Broadening HMO Applications beyond Infant Nutrition: Increasing applications in sports nutrition and adult gut wellness supplements.
• Innovations in Fermentation-Based HMO Production: Advances enhancing cost-effectiveness and scalability.
• Greater Emphasis on Synbiotic Blends: HMOs are being more frequently combined with probiotics for greater gut microbiota benefits.
• Regulatory Approvals in Emerging Regions: Latin America and Asia-Pacific experiencing growth in approvals.
• Investment in Clinical Trials for HMO Health Benefits: More trials investigating cognition-enhancing and immunity-boosting properties.
• Incorporation into Functional Foods: HMOs incorporated into yogurts, energy bars, and ready-to-drink beverages.
• Strategic Mergers and Acquisitions: Dominant companies purchasing specialized biotech firms to augment HMO portfolios.

Tier-Wise Company Classification 2025

By Tier Type	Tier 1
Market Share (%)	50%
Example of Key Players	Jennewein, KYOWA HAKKO BIO, DSM-Firmenich, Nestlé Health Science, DuPont

By Tier Type	Tier 2
Market Share (%)	30%
Example of Key Players	zuChem Inc., Elicityl SA, Carbosynth, Dextra Laboratories Limited

By Tier Type	Tier 3
Market Share (%)	20%
Example of Key Players	Startups, emerging biotech firms, niche players

Key Company Initiatives

Brand	Key Focus
Jennewein	Expanded its HMO portfolio with new 6'-Sialyllactose (6'-SL) for cognitive health applications.
DSM-Firmenich	Acquired Glycom to strengthen its position in fermentation-based HMO production.
Nestlé Health Science	Launched an advanced infant formula featuring a complex blend of five HMOs.
BASF SE	Invested in precision fermentation to develop cost-effective HMO production methods.
KYOWA HAKKO BIO	Conducted clinical trials on HMOs for gut health improvement in adults.
DuPont	Focused on enhancing gut microbiome synergy through HMO-based probiotic formulations.
zuChem Inc.	Secured patents for synthetic HMO production techniques, improving large-scale affordability.
Elicityl SA	Partnered with functional food brands to develop innovative gut health solutions.
Carbosynth	Introduced synbiotic products incorporating HMOs with probiotics for enhanced digestive benefits.
Dextra Laboratories	Conducted research on the role of HMOs in immune modulation and allergy prevention.

Recommendations for Brands

• Broaden Multi-HMO Infant Formula Products: Infant formula producers need to include a blend of fucosylated, non-fucosylated, and sialylated HMOs to closely mimic human milk and deliver extended gut health advantages.
• Expand to Adult Nutrition: Companies need to create HMO-formulated nutritional supplements focused on gut health, immunity, and brain function to increase consumer demand.
• Strengthen Regulatory Compliance in Emerging Markets: Strategic regulatory approvals to facilitate market entry and consumer confidence are necessary for expanding to Asia-Pacific and Latin America.
• Advance Synbiotic Innovations: Partnership with probiotic makers to include HMOs in probiotic supplements will advance gut microbiome supplementation and metabolic health.
• Invest in Research for Pharmaceutical Applications: Extending clinical trials for HMO-based therapeutics for IBS, allergies, and metabolic conditions will propel long-term revenue expansion.
• Leverage Digital and E-Commerce Growth: Businesses must create DTC models for customized nutrition products with HMOs.
• Maximize Production Efficiency through Fermentation Technology: Investment in precision fermentation will make production cost-efficient and scalable to penetrate the larger market.
• Maximize Consumer Education and Awareness: Brands need to invest in education marketing campaigns to raise consumer awareness of the advantages of HMOs in infant and adult nutrition.

Future Roadmap

The need for personalized nutrition is increasing, with AI-based gut microbiome analysis allowing for customized HMO formulations. Firms that invest in precision nutrition solutions will be able to create bespoke HMO blends for specific health requirements like gut health, immunity, and cognitive function. Growth in direct-to-consumer (DTC) personalized supplement services will also fuel growth in this

Though HMOs are mostly applied in infant formulas, their usage in adult dietary supplements is gaining pace. Increasing popularity of HMOs as prebiotics that selectively promote good gut bacteria is driving the demand for HMO-enriched capsules, powders, and functional drinks. Consumers in geographies such as North America, Japan, and Europe are actively looking for gut health solutions, which will translate into more products across a wider spectrum of adult probiotic-HMO synbiotic on the shelves.

New studies are investigating the function of HMOs in exercise performance, recovery, and gut resilience. Sports nutrition brands are beginning to include HMOs in protein powders, hydration drinks, and endurance supplements to stimulate gut microbiota and reduce exercise-induced inflammation. This segment will gain significant traction in the United States and Europe, where functional and sports nutrition are priority consumer issues.

In addition to functional foods, HMOs are being increasingly studied for therapeutic use in the management of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), allergies, and metabolic disease. North American and European clinical trials are examining how sialylated HMOs can promote neurological development, cognitive function, and immune modulation. Firms that invest in medical-grade HMO formulations will have a market advantage in pharmaceutical and clinical nutrition markets during the next decade.

Table of Content

1. Executive Summary
2. Market Overview
3. Key Growth Drivers
4. Company Performance
5. Market Concentration
6. Segmented Analysis
7. Who Shaped the Year
8. Key Highlights from the Forecast
9. Tier-Wise Company Classification
10. Key Company Initiatives
11. Recommendations for Brands
12. Future Roadmap