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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 |