China Used Cooking Oil Market- Trend Analysis & Forecasts
Description
China’s Used Cooking Oil (UCO) Market Overview:
China’s used cooking oil (UCO) industry has grown into a strategic bioresource market, valued at about US$ ** billion in 2024, up from US$ ** million in 2023. The sector is projected to expand to nearly US$ ** billion by 2030, supported by vast edible oil consumption that exceeded ** million tonnes in 2023. Exports reached ** million tonnes in 2024, worth nearly US$ ** billion, making China the largest global supplier. Rising urban dining and foodservice demand, combined with formalized collection programs, are steadily expanding the available supply base.
Primary Areas/ Elements of Research & Analysis
The report provides comprehensive and valuable insights into the supply and demand dynamics of the China’s used cooking oil (UCO) market. Below are the variables considered and analyzed in the report:
• Supply-demand trends, market growth, and trade
• Market structure, conduct, and performance analysis
• Historical and forecasted market size (volume & value)
• Trade analysis (export & import), including key partners, quantities, values, and price trends
• Supply chain mapping, pricing, and regulatory framework
• Competitive landscape profiling of key players
• Factors influencing market performance, including sustainability trends
Market Growth Factors
The strongest growth driver is the rising demand for biodiesel and Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF), with SAF plants already consuming ** thousand tonnes monthly. Biodiesel alone accounts for more than **% of UCO utilization, and by 2030 SAF demand could exceed ** million tonnes annually. Regulatory reforms that cracked down on the “gutter oil” market have secured larger, safer collection volumes, while consumer surveys show that nearly **% of urban households support recycling programs. Combined with technology upgrades in purification and logistics, these shifts are unlocking new value streams for UCO.
Market Restraints & Challenges
Policy volatility poses a major restraint, with the U.S. imposing a 125% tariff on Chinese UCO in 2025 after it imported ** million tonnes in 2023. European scrutiny also reduced shipments by nearly ** thousand tonnes in 2023, creating market instability. Price swings are frequent, as seen in late 2022 when UCO values dropped by over **% amid oversupply and weak demand. Operational hurdles such as inconsistent oil quality, contamination, and uneven collection infrastructure further limit efficiency. Competition from cheaper virgin oils adds pressure despite sustainability preferences for waste-based feedstocks.
Market Segmentation
By source, food manufacturers generated revenues of US$ ** million in 2024, while HoReCa contributed around US$ ** million and households about US$ ** million. By 2035, the HoReCa sector could expand to nearly US$ ** million as tourism and dining rebound, and household collection may reach US$ ** million through municipal programs. By application, biodiesel dominated with over **% of revenue in 2024, followed by oleochemicals at **% and animal feed at **%. By 2032, biodiesel and SAF together are expected to absorb nearly three-quarters of UCO demand.
Competitive Landscape
The market is shaped by both state-owned majors and private recyclers. Companies such as CNPC and Sinopec leverage refining capacity to scale biodiesel and SAF production, while firms like Hangzhou Yuhua Environmental Protection and Nanjing Luhua Biotechnology expand collection networks. Strategic partnerships, such as the 2023 tie-up between Beijing Zhenhua Oil and Zhengzhou Zhongxin Chemical, showcase the industry’s push toward efficiency. Regional innovators are investing in digital tracking and certification systems to meet international sustainability standards, positioning themselves to serve Europe’s growing demand.
Outlook
China’s UCO market is projected to surpass US$ ** billion by 2032, rising from US$ ** billion in 2024 at a CAGR of **%. Export volumes are expected to stabilize between ** and ** million tonnes annually, while domestic SAF consumption grows rapidly. By 2030, aviation fuel alone could absorb nearly the entire exportable surplus, fundamentally shifting China from a dominant exporter to a balanced consumer-exporter. Europe and Asia will remain primary trade partners, but domestic absorption will lift wholesale prices and solidify UCO’s role as a cornerstone of China’s circular economy and renewable energy system.
Scope of the Report:
• Historical Years: 2018-2023
• Base Year: 2024
• Forecast Period: 2025-2032
• Units: Value (US$ Million) and Volume (Thousand Tonnes)
• Segments Covered:
By Source (Households & Commercial Segment (HoReca and Food Processing)
By Sales (Domestic Use (Biodiesel, Oleochemicals, and Animal Feed) and Exports)
• Companies Profiled: The market players include, China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC), Hangzhou Yuhua Environmental Protection, Nanjing Luhua Biotechnology, China National Chemical Corporation, Xiamen Ecoman Technology, Sinopec, Grease Recycling, Beijing Zhenhua Oil, Shandong Longda Oil, Guangzhou Jihua Environmental Protection, Jiangsu Greet New Energy, Zhengzhou Zhongxin Chemical, Shenzhen Fuhua Bioengineering, Biodiesel Technologies, Hunan Yihuan Bioenergy, and Others.
Please note: It will take 4-5 business days to deliver the report upon receipt the order.
China’s used cooking oil (UCO) industry has grown into a strategic bioresource market, valued at about US$ ** billion in 2024, up from US$ ** million in 2023. The sector is projected to expand to nearly US$ ** billion by 2030, supported by vast edible oil consumption that exceeded ** million tonnes in 2023. Exports reached ** million tonnes in 2024, worth nearly US$ ** billion, making China the largest global supplier. Rising urban dining and foodservice demand, combined with formalized collection programs, are steadily expanding the available supply base.
Primary Areas/ Elements of Research & Analysis
The report provides comprehensive and valuable insights into the supply and demand dynamics of the China’s used cooking oil (UCO) market. Below are the variables considered and analyzed in the report:
• Supply-demand trends, market growth, and trade
• Market structure, conduct, and performance analysis
• Historical and forecasted market size (volume & value)
• Trade analysis (export & import), including key partners, quantities, values, and price trends
• Supply chain mapping, pricing, and regulatory framework
• Competitive landscape profiling of key players
• Factors influencing market performance, including sustainability trends
Market Growth Factors
The strongest growth driver is the rising demand for biodiesel and Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF), with SAF plants already consuming ** thousand tonnes monthly. Biodiesel alone accounts for more than **% of UCO utilization, and by 2030 SAF demand could exceed ** million tonnes annually. Regulatory reforms that cracked down on the “gutter oil” market have secured larger, safer collection volumes, while consumer surveys show that nearly **% of urban households support recycling programs. Combined with technology upgrades in purification and logistics, these shifts are unlocking new value streams for UCO.
Market Restraints & Challenges
Policy volatility poses a major restraint, with the U.S. imposing a 125% tariff on Chinese UCO in 2025 after it imported ** million tonnes in 2023. European scrutiny also reduced shipments by nearly ** thousand tonnes in 2023, creating market instability. Price swings are frequent, as seen in late 2022 when UCO values dropped by over **% amid oversupply and weak demand. Operational hurdles such as inconsistent oil quality, contamination, and uneven collection infrastructure further limit efficiency. Competition from cheaper virgin oils adds pressure despite sustainability preferences for waste-based feedstocks.
Market Segmentation
By source, food manufacturers generated revenues of US$ ** million in 2024, while HoReCa contributed around US$ ** million and households about US$ ** million. By 2035, the HoReCa sector could expand to nearly US$ ** million as tourism and dining rebound, and household collection may reach US$ ** million through municipal programs. By application, biodiesel dominated with over **% of revenue in 2024, followed by oleochemicals at **% and animal feed at **%. By 2032, biodiesel and SAF together are expected to absorb nearly three-quarters of UCO demand.
Competitive Landscape
The market is shaped by both state-owned majors and private recyclers. Companies such as CNPC and Sinopec leverage refining capacity to scale biodiesel and SAF production, while firms like Hangzhou Yuhua Environmental Protection and Nanjing Luhua Biotechnology expand collection networks. Strategic partnerships, such as the 2023 tie-up between Beijing Zhenhua Oil and Zhengzhou Zhongxin Chemical, showcase the industry’s push toward efficiency. Regional innovators are investing in digital tracking and certification systems to meet international sustainability standards, positioning themselves to serve Europe’s growing demand.
Outlook
China’s UCO market is projected to surpass US$ ** billion by 2032, rising from US$ ** billion in 2024 at a CAGR of **%. Export volumes are expected to stabilize between ** and ** million tonnes annually, while domestic SAF consumption grows rapidly. By 2030, aviation fuel alone could absorb nearly the entire exportable surplus, fundamentally shifting China from a dominant exporter to a balanced consumer-exporter. Europe and Asia will remain primary trade partners, but domestic absorption will lift wholesale prices and solidify UCO’s role as a cornerstone of China’s circular economy and renewable energy system.
Scope of the Report:
• Historical Years: 2018-2023
• Base Year: 2024
• Forecast Period: 2025-2032
• Units: Value (US$ Million) and Volume (Thousand Tonnes)
• Segments Covered:
By Source (Households & Commercial Segment (HoReca and Food Processing)
By Sales (Domestic Use (Biodiesel, Oleochemicals, and Animal Feed) and Exports)
• Companies Profiled: The market players include, China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC), Hangzhou Yuhua Environmental Protection, Nanjing Luhua Biotechnology, China National Chemical Corporation, Xiamen Ecoman Technology, Sinopec, Grease Recycling, Beijing Zhenhua Oil, Shandong Longda Oil, Guangzhou Jihua Environmental Protection, Jiangsu Greet New Energy, Zhengzhou Zhongxin Chemical, Shenzhen Fuhua Bioengineering, Biodiesel Technologies, Hunan Yihuan Bioenergy, and Others.
Please note: It will take 4-5 business days to deliver the report upon receipt the order.
Table of Contents
145 Pages
- 1. Executive Summary
- 2. Introduction
- 2.1. Objectives & Scope of the Study
- 2.2. Definitions & Economic Importance
- 2.3. Research Methodology
- 2.4. Factors and Decision Matrix Analysis
- 2.5. Limitations & Challenges
- 3. Product/ Market Overview
- 3.1. China Used Cooking Oil Supply Chain
- 3.2. China Cooking Oil Consumption Trend
- 3.3. China HoReCa & Food Processing Industry: An Overview
- 3.4. Used Cooking Oil (UCO) Uses & Application Areas
- 3.5. Regulatory Analysis
- 4. China: Country Profile
- 5. Global Used Cooking Oil (UCO) Market: An Overview
- 6. China Used Cooking Oil (UCO) Market Growth Factors Analysis
- 6.1. Drivers and Restraints Analysis
- 6.2. Challenges and Opportunities Analysis
- 6.3. China Used Cooking Oil (UCO) Industry SWOT Analysis
- 6.4. China Used Cooking Oil (UCO) Market PESTEL Analysis
- 6.5. China Used Cooking Oil (UCO) Market Porter's Five Forces analysis
- 7. China Used Cooking Oil (UCO) Market: Supply-Demand Analysis
- 7.1. China Used Cooking Oil Collection Trend
- 7.2. China Domestic Used Cooking Oil Processing Trend
- 7.3. Domestic Use
- 7.4. Import/Export Demand
- 7.5. Used Cooking Oil (UCO) Supply Chain Analysis
- 8. China Used Cooking Oil (UCO) Market: Segmentation Analysis
- 8.1. By Source
- 8.1.1. Households
- 8.1.2. Commercial Segment
- 8.1.2.1. HoReca
- 8.1.2.2. Food Processing Plants
- 8.2. By Sales
- 8.2.1. Domestic Use
- 8.2.2.1. Biodiesel
- 8.2.2.2. Oleochemicals
- 8.2.2.3. Animal Feed
- 8.2.2. Exports
- 9. China Used Cooking Oil (UCO) Market: Trade (Export & Import) Analysis
- 9.1. Used Cooking Oil (UCO) Export Trend Analysis
- 9.2. Top 5 Export Destinations of China Used Cooking Oil (UCO)
- 9.3. Analysis on Countries Importing Used Cooking Oil (UCO) from China
- 9.4. List of Key Companies Exporting Used Cooking Oil (UCO) (Sellers)
- 9.5. List of Key Companies Importing Used Cooking Oil (UCO) (Overseas Buyers)
- 10. China Used Cooking Oil (UCO) Market: Price Trend Analysis
- 10.1. Domestic Price Trend
- 10.2. Trade Price Trend
- 10.3. Price Seasonality & Price Pattern Analysis
- 10.4. Price Events Analysis
- 11. Competitive Analysis
- 11.1. China Used Cooking Oil (UCO) Market Mapping
- 11.2. Company Profiles
- 11.2.1. China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC)
- 11.2.2. Hangzhou Yuhua Environmental Protection
- 11.2.3. Nanjing Luhua Biotechnology
- 11.2.4. China National Chemical Corporation
- 11.2.5. Xiamen Ecoman Technology
- 11.2.6. Sinopec
- 11.2.7. Grease Recycling
- 11.2.8. Beijing Zhenhua Oil
- 11.2.9. Shandong Longda Oil
- 11.2.10. Guangzhou Jihua Environmental Protection
- 11.2.11. Jiangsu Greet New Energy
- 11.2.12. Zhengzhou Zhongxin Chemical
- 11.2.13. Shenzhen Fuhua Bioengineering
- 11.2.14. Biodiesel Technologies
- 11.2.15. Hunan Yihuan Bioenergy
- *Each company profile includes Company Business Overview, Primary Business Activities, Products Offered, SWOT Analysis, and relevant other relevant details.
- 12. Conclusion & Appendix
Pricing
Currency Rates
Questions or Comments?
Our team has the ability to search within reports to verify it suits your needs. We can also help maximize your budget by finding sections of reports you can purchase.
