The global chitosan market size was estimated at USD 13.00 billion in 2023 and is anticipated to reach USD 47.06 billion by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 20.3% from 2024 to 2030. The growth is attributed to the increasing demand for naturally derived products and their high penetration in waste-water treatment, pharmaceutical, and cosmetics applications.
Chitosan is expected to witness high demand from the food & beverage industry owing to favorable regulatory support by the developed economies and increasing awareness concerning the health benefits offered by the product. In addition, surging demand for the product as a food preservative and stabilizer has contributed to market growth. Furthermore, the rising utilization of the product as a clarifying agent in juices, as a thickening agent in beverages, and in packaging food products is anticipated to propel the demand.
Shrimp shells, crab shells, and squid pens are the most prominent raw materials used to produce chitin and chitosan. Chitosan is available in three varieties: alpha, beta, and gamma. Alpha and beta chitosan are the most widely available products manufactured using shrimp/crab shells and squid pens, respectively. The various types of chitosan differ in their chitin strand structure, which determines the characteristics and properties of the chitosan manufactured.
One of the market growth drivers, especially in the Asia-Pacific region, is the abundant availability of raw materials. It is one of the most abundant biopolymers and a significant waste product in the fishery industry. Chitosan is primarily obtained from various materials, including shrimp & crab shells and squid pens. Traditionally, these wastes were discarded or used directly as fertilizers. In addition, remarkable research on chitosan during the past few decades has revealed its significant importance in various applications, including wastewater treatment, pharmaceuticals, and food & beverage.
However, initiatives taken by manufacturers and researchers to improve purity to meet the required standards are expected to open new avenues for the existing and new market players during the forecasted period. In addition, rising demand for chitosan as an antibacterial, anti-cancerous, anti-inflammatory, and anti-fungal agent in pharmacological applications is expected to drive demand during the forecast period.
Biomedical dominated the market, with the highest revenue share of 31.0% in 2023. This is attributed to the increasing demand for bio-based ingredients in drug manufacturing. High investments in the pharmaceutical and medical sectors, coupled with demand for advanced healthcare products, are expected to impact market growth during the forecast period positively.
On the other hand, increasing demand for bio-derived personal care products is expected to be a key driver for market growth. Chitosan's bacteriostatic and fungistatic properties are expected to open new avenues for the product market in cosmetic applications. Increasing demand for chitosan used for skin and hair care cream manufacturing as a hydrating agent will likely drive market growth.
The rising application scope of chitosan for manufacturing dental care products, including mouthwash, toothpaste, and tooth gels, will likely increase demand for these products. The increasing application scope of chitosan for manufacturing color cosmetics such as lipsticks, eye shadows, and nail polishes is expected to propel demand during the forecast period. Furthermore, the rising demand for chitosan to treat various skin problems, including acne and scars, will likely drive the growth.
Asia Pacific chitosan market dominated the market with the highest revenue share of nearly 44.5% in 2023. This is attributed to the Asia Pacific region having emerged as a dominant force in the market, driven by a combination of factors that enhance its position in the global landscape. As of 2023, the market in this region is experiencing significant growth, with projections indicating that it will continue to expand rapidly in the coming years.
Asia Pacific is growing significantly during the forecast period. The growing demand for skin care products, especially among women and teenagers, is anticipated to positively impact the product market during the forecast period. The growing fashion industry and increasing demand for naturally derived hair and skin care products in the region are expected to propel demand throughout the forecasted period. Growing investments in municipal wastewater treatment and the increasing use of bio-derived chemicals in the field are expected to drive the demand during the forecast period.
The pharmaceutical industry in Canada is considered one of the most profitable sectors and has been the fourth fastest-growing healthcare industry after China, U.S., and Spain. As a result, a positive pharmaceutical industry outlook in Canada is likely to fuel the demand. The robust manufacturing base of global cosmetic producers such as Johnson & Johnson, Unilever, and Procter & Gamble in the U.S. is expected to promote demand for chitosan in formulating personal care products.
Some of the key players operating in Panvo Organics Pvt. Ltd, Qingdao Yunzhou Biochemistry Co.,Advanced Biopolymers AS3, Meron Biopolymers:
Qingdao Yunzhou Biochemistry Co., Ltd. is a biotechnology company based in Qingdao, Shandong, China. The company specializes in producing and supplying chitosan-based products, which are derived from chitin, a natural polymer found in crustaceans' shells.
Panvo Organics Pvt. Ltd. is a prominent manufacturer based in Chennai, India, specializing in Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs), Nutraceutical Ingredients, and Specialty Chemicals. Established in 2006, the company has rapidly become a key player in producing Glucosamine and Chitosan, among other products.
Key companies are adopting several organic and inorganic growth strategies to maintain and expand their market share, such as capacity expansion, mergers & acquisitions, and joint ventures.
The following are the leading companies in the chitosan market. These companies collectively hold the largest market share and dictate industry trends.
In September 2023, Heppe Medical Chitosan (HMC) introduced the first-ever chitosan molecular weight standards at EUCHIS. This innovation enables researchers and customers to utilize dependable chitosan for molecular weight analysis without comparing them to other materials.
In November 2022, Chitogen Inc., a U.S.-based medical manufacturing company, signed a letter of intent with Tru Shrimp to purchase commercial quantities of chitosan produced from the ground-up exoskeleton of its farm-raised shrimp. This move was made to build a large-scale shrimp farm in South Dakota, U.S.
In September 2021, KitoZyme launched a new version of its vegan chitosan at Vitafoods. KitoZyme has developed a patented process for producing chitin and chitosan from fungi on an industrial scale. This breakthrough innovation has significantly impacted these biopolymers' perception and potential applications.
Report Attribute |
Details |
Market size value in 2024 |
USD 15.55 billion |
Revenue forecast in 2030 |
USD 47.06 billion |
Growth rate |
CAGR of 20.3% from 2024 to 2030 |
Actual data |
2018 - 2023 |
Forecast period |
2024 - 2030 |
Quantitative Units |
Volume in tons, revenue in USD million/billion, and CAGR from 2024 to 2030 |
Report coverage |
Volume forecast, revenue forecast, competitive landscape, growth factors, and trends |
Segments covered |
Application, region |
Regional scope |
North America; Europe; Asia Pacific; Central & South America; Middle East & Africa |
Country scope |
U.S.; Canada; Mexico; Germany; UK; France; Italy; Spain; China; India; Japan; South Korea; Vietnam; Brazil; Saudi Arbia; South Africa |
Key companies profiled |
Qingdao Yunzhou Biochemistry Co.; Panvo Organics Pvt Ltd; Advanced Biopolymers AS; Meron Biopolymers; Biophrame Technologies; United Chitotechnologies Inc.; Heppe Medical Chitosan GmbH; KitoZyme S.A; Foodchem International Corporation; Chitosanlab; FMC Corporation; Golden-Shell Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd.; Primex EHF; Nano3Bio; Koyo World (Hong Kong) Co. Ltd.; Dainichiseika Color & Chemicals Mfg. Co. Ltd.; KYTOSAN LLC. |
Customization scope |
Free report customization (equivalent up to 8 analysts working days) with purchase. Addition or alteration to country, regional & segment scope. |
Pricing and purchase options |
Avail customized purchase options to meet your exact research needs. Explore purchase options |
This report forecasts volume and revenue growth at the global, regional, and country levels and provides an analysis of the latest industry trends and opportunities in each of the sub-segments from 2018 to 2030. For this study, Grand View Research has segmented the global chitosan market report based on application, and region:
Application Outlook (Volume, Tons; Revenue, USD Million, 2018 - 2030)
Water Treatment
Pharmaceutical
Biomedical
Cosmetics
Food & Beverage
Others
Regional Outlook (Volume, Tons; Revenue, USD Million, 2018 - 2030)
North America
U.S.
Canada
Mexico
Europe
Germany
France
UK
Italy
Spain
Asia Pacific
China
Japan
South Korea
India
Singapore
Central & South America
Brazil
Argentina
Middle East & Africa
Saudi Arabia
South Africa
b. The global chitosan market is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 20.3% from 2024 to 2030 to reach USD 47.06 billion by 2030.
b. Asia Pacific dominated the chitosan market with a share of 44.5% in 2023. This is attributable to the rapid development of end-use industries in Japan, China, India, and South Korea.
b. Some key players operating in the chitosan market include Biophrame Technologies, Heppe Medical Chitosan GmbH, Meron Biopolymers, Qingdao Yunzhou Biochemistry Co., Golden-Shell Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd, and FMC Corp.
b. Key factors that are driving the chitosan market growth include increasing demand from the cosmetics industry and rising scope of usage in waste-water treatment industry.
b. The global chitosan market size was estimated at USD 13.00 billion in 2023 and is expected to reach USD 15.55 billion in 2024.
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