Global Chitosan Market by Application (Water Treatment, Pharmaceutical, Biomedical, Cosmetics, Food & Beverage), and Region (North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, Middle East & Africa) — Trends, Drivers, and Forecast 2024–2030

  • Published Date : 14 October 2025
  • Publisher : Market Research Port
  • Category : Chemicals & Materials
  • Tot. Pages : 210

Chitosan Market Overview

The global chitosan market was valued at USD 13.00 billion in 2023 and is projected to reach USD 47.06 billion by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 20.3% from 2024 to 2030. This growth is driven by increasing adoption of naturally derived products in wastewater treatment, pharmaceuticals, and cosmetics.

Key Market Trends

  • Asia Pacific held the largest revenue share of approximately 44.5% in 2023.
  • Significant growth is expected in Asia Pacific during the forecast period.
  • The biomedical segment led the market with 31.0% revenue share in 2023.

Regulatory support in developed economies and awareness of health benefits are boosting demand in the food and beverage sector, where chitosan acts as a preservative, stabilizer, clarifying agent, and thickener.

Chitosan is commonly produced from shrimp shells, crab shells, and squid pens. The alpha and beta varieties differ by their chitin strand structures, influencing their characteristics and applications.

Asia Pacific benefits from abundant raw materials, being a major biopolymer derived from fishery waste. Increased research highlights chitosan’s antibacterial, anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory, and antifungal properties, especially relevant in pharmaceuticals, further enhancing demand.

Application Insights

The biomedical sector dominated with 31.0% revenue share in 2023, driven by bio-based ingredients demand and pharmaceutical investments. Personal care products benefit from chitosan’s bacteriostatic and fungistatic functions, supporting skin and haircare formulations. Dental and color cosmetics applications are also expanding, with chitosan used in products treating skin issues.

Regional Insights

Asia Pacific accounts for 44.5% of the market, led by growing demand for skincare, cosmetics, and pharmaceuticals. North America’s pharmaceutical sector, including Canada and the U.S., supports demand through robust manufacturing and major cosmetic producers.

Key Players

Leading companies include Qingdao Yunzhou Biochemistry, Panvo Organics, Advanced Biopolymers, Meron Biopolymers, and others. Strategies include capacity expansion, mergers, and partnerships to increase market presence.

  • Qingdao Yunzhou Biochemistry specializes in chitosan production from natural sources.
  • Panvo Organics focuses on APIs and specialty chemicals including chitosan.

Top Market Players

  • Qingdao Yunzhou Biochemistry
  • Panvo Organics Pvt Ltd
  • Advanced Biopolymers AS
  • Meron Biopolymers
  • Biophrame Technologies
  • United Chitotechnologies
  • Heppe Medical Chitosan
  • Kitozyme
  • Foodchem International
  • Chitosanlab
  • FMC Corporation
  • Golden-Shell Pharmaceutical
  • Primex
  • Nano3Bio
  • Koyo World
  • Dainichiseika Color & Chemicals
  • KYTOSAN

Recent Developments

  • September 2023: Heppe Medical Chitosan introduced molecular weight standards improving chitosan application reliability.
  • November 2022: Chitogen signed an agreement securing shrimp waste as raw material for chitosan production in the U.S.
  • September 2021: Kitozyme launched industrial-scale vegan chitosan from fungi, advancing sustainable biopolymer production.

Market Overview Table

Attribute Details
Market Size (2023) USD 13.00 Billion
Projected Market Size (2030) USD 47.06 Billion
CAGR (2024-2030) 20.3%
Historical Data 2018 – 2023
Forecast Period 2024 – 2030
Units Volume (tons), Revenue (billion USD)
Segments Application, Region
Regions Covered North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, Middle East & Africa
Key Countries U.S., Canada, Mexico, Germany, France, UK, India, China, Japan

Market Segmentation

  • Applications: Water Treatment, Pharmaceutical, Biomedical, Cosmetics, Food & Beverage, Others
  • Regions: North America (U.S., Canada, Mexico), Europe (Germany, France, UK, Italy, Spain), Asia Pacific (China, Japan, South Korea, India, Singapore), Latin America (Brazil, Argentina), Middle East & Africa (Saudi Arabia, South Africa)

Frequently Asked Questions

  • What is the projected CAGR for the chitosan market?: 20.3% from 2024 to 2030.
  • Which region holds the largest market share?: Asia Pacific with approximately 44.5%.
  • Which application segment leads?: Biomedical segment in 2023.
  • Who are key players?: Qingdao Yunzhou Biochemistry, Panvo Organics, Advanced Biopolymers, Meron Biopolymers.
  • What drives market growth?: Demand rise in cosmetics and wastewater treatment.
  • What was the market size in 2023?: USD 13.00 billion.

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