Chitosan Global Market Report 2026

Chitosan, derived from crustaceans and fungi, finds use in medicine, drug manufacturing, high blood pressure, wound healing, obesity, and cholesterol management. Its biodegradable nature supports antimicrobial film development for food packaging.

Chitosan is sourced from various marine organisms such as shrimp, squid, crab, krill, and other similar sources. The shrimp-derived segment involves the sale of chitosan solutions obtained from the exoskeleton of shrimp by different entities including organizations, sole traders, and partnerships. Shrimp are marine animals categorized within the extensive group of arthropods, considered a type of shellfish and seafood, specifically falling under the suborder Pleocyemata. In the chitosan market, the main grades include pharmaceutical, industrial, and food grades, serving applications in water treatment, food and beverage processing, cosmetics, medical and pharmaceutical products, agrochemicals, and various other sectors.

Note that the outlook for this market is being affected by rapid changes in trade relations and tariffs globally. The report will be updated prior to delivery to reflect the latest status, including revised forecasts and quantified impact analysis. The report's Recommendations and Conclusions sections will be updated to give strategies for entities dealing with the fast-moving international environment.

Tariffs are influencing the chitosan market by increasing costs of imported raw crustacean shells, processing chemicals, and specialized extraction equipment. Asia-Pacific producers are most affected due to export dependence, while North America and Europe face higher costs for pharmaceutical-grade chitosan. These tariffs are increasing production costs and limiting supply flexibility. At the same time, they are encouraging local sourcing of raw materials, development of fungal-based chitosan alternatives, and investment in domestic processing capabilities.

The chitosan market research report is one of a series of new reports from The Business Research Company that provides chitosan market statistics, including chitosan industry global market size, regional shares, competitors with a chitosan market share, detailed chitosan market segments, market trends and opportunities, and any further data you may need to thrive in the chitosan industry. This chitosan market research report delivers a complete perspective of everything you need, with an in-depth analysis of the current and future scenario of the industry.

The chitosan market size has grown exponentially in recent years. It will grow from $10.2 billion in 2025 to $12.43 billion in 2026 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 21.9%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to expansion of seafood processing activities, growth in pharmaceutical research applications, increasing use in wastewater treatment, rising demand for biodegradable materials, availability of natural polymer sources.

The chitosan market size is expected to see exponential growth in the next few years. It will grow to $27.17 billion in 2030 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 21.6%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to growing adoption of bio-based medical materials, rising investments in sustainable packaging solutions, expansion of chitosan-based drug delivery systems, increasing use in food preservation applications, growing focus on circular bioeconomy. Major trends in the forecast period include growing use of chitosan in biomedical applications, rising adoption in water treatment solutions, expansion of biodegradable packaging materials, increasing demand in agrochemical formulations, enhanced focus on natural and bio-based polymers.

The increase in requirements for wastewater treatment across the globe is expected to propel the growth of the chitosan market. Wastewater treatment has been defined as the process of removing impurities from wastewater before it reaches natural bodies or aquifers such as oceans, lakes, and rivers. Chitosan is widely used for wastewater treatment as it helps in heavy metal or metalloid adsorption, the removal of dyes from industrial wastewater, and the removal of other organic pollutants such as organic oxidants, oil impurities, and organochloride pesticides. For instance, in March 2024, according to Environment Agency, a UK-based non-departmental public body, there was a 54% rise in sewage spills, increasing from 301,091 incidents in 2022 to 464,056 in 2023. Therefore, the growth in requirements for wastewater treatment across the globe is driving the chitosan market growth.

Major companies operating in the chitosan market are focused on introducing advanced solutions, such as chitosan injection, to gain a competitive edge in the market. Chitosan injection is a type of medication delivery system that uses chitosan, a naturally occurring polymer, as its main component. For instance, in September 2023, KiOmed Pharma, a Belgium-based biotechnology company, launched KiOmedinevsOne. KiOmedinevsOne is a non-animal-sourced chitosan injection and a single-shot intraarticular injection designed for the symptomatic treatment of knee osteoarthritis. It has a unique structure that differs from hyaluronic acid and natural chitosan. It reduces knee pain for more than six months. It is a patented technology with a response rate of up to 76%.

In August 2024, ICAR-Central Institute of Fisheries Technology, an India-based research company partnered with Ecogenie Biotech. The partnership seeks to create sustainable production methods for chitin and chitosan from silkworm pupae, turning waste into valuable bioproducts. By modifying current extraction technologies, the collaboration promotes eco-friendly practices that support India's circular economy. Ecogenie Biotech is an India-based biotechnology start-up develop chitosan.

Major companies operating in the chitosan market are Advanced Biopolymers AS, FMC Corporation, Kyowa Hakko Bio Co. Ltd., Dainichiseika Color & Chemicals Mfg. Co. Ltd., IFF NovaMatrix, Golden-Shell Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd., KIMICA Corporation, Xianju Tengwang Chitosan Factory, Marine Biopolymer Technologies Inc. (MBT), Bio-Gate AG, Axio Biosolutions, Heppe Medical Chitosan GmbH, Panvo Organics Pvt Ltd, Agratech International Inc., Qingdao Yunzhou Biochemistry Co. Ltd., Meron Biopolymers, G.T.C. Bio Corporation, Kitozyme S.A., Kraeber & Co. GmbH, Qingdao BZG Bio-Tech Co. Ltd., PT Biotech Surindo, Biophrame Technologies, Primex BioProducts, Chitofrance, Yishan Marine Biological Products Co. Ltd., Qingdao Haihui Marine Bioengineering Co. Ltd.

Asia-Pacific was the largest region in the chitosan market in 2025. North America is expected to be the fastest-growing region in the forecast period. The regions covered in the chitosan market report are Asia-Pacific, South East Asia, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East, Africa

The countries covered in the chitosan market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Taiwan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Canada, Italy, Spain

The chitosan market consists of sales of various forms of chitosan, such as nanoparticles, nanofibers, and chitosan beads. Values in this market are 'factory gate' values, that is, the value of goods sold by the manufacturers or creators of the goods, whether to other entities (including downstream manufacturers, wholesalers, distributors, and retailers) or directly to end customers. The value of goods in this market includes related services sold by the creators of the goods.

The market value is defined as the revenues that enterprises gain from the sale of goods and/or services within the specified market and geography through sales, grants, or donations in terms of the currency (in USD unless otherwise specified).

The revenues for a specified geography are consumption values that are revenues generated by organizations in the specified geography within the market, irrespective of where they are produced. It does not include revenues from resales along the supply chain, either further along the supply chain or as part of other products.

Chitosan Market Global Report 2026 from The Business Research Company provides strategists, marketers and senior management with the critical information they need to assess the market.

This report focuses chitosan market which is experiencing strong growth. The report gives a guide to the trends which will be shaping the market over the next ten years and beyond.

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Where is the largest and fastest growing market for chitosan ? How does the market relate to the overall economy, demography and other similar markets? What forces will shape the market going forward, including technological disruption, regulatory shifts, and changing consumer preferences? The chitosan market global report from the Business Research Company answers all these questions and many more.

The report covers market characteristics, size and growth, segmentation, regional and country breakdowns, total addressable market (TAM), market attractiveness score (MAS), competitive landscape, market shares, company scoring matrix, trends and strategies for this market. It traces the market's historic and forecast market growth by geography.

• The market characteristics section of the report defines and explains the market. This section also examines key products and services offered in the market, evaluates brand-level differentiation, compares product features, and highlights major innovation and product development trends.
• The supply chain analysis section provides an overview of the entire value chain, including key raw materials, resources, and supplier analysis. It also provides a list competitor at each level of the supply chain.
• The updated trends and strategies section analyses the shape of the market as it evolves and highlights emerging technology trends such as digital transformation, automation, sustainability initiatives, and AI-driven innovation. It suggests how companies can leverage these advancements to strengthen their market position and achieve competitive differentiation.
• The regulatory and investment landscape section provides an overview of the key regulatory frameworks, regularity bodies, associations, and government policies influencing the market. It also examines major investment flows, incentives, and funding trends shaping industry growth and innovation.
• The market size section gives the market size ($b) covering both the historic growth of the market, and forecasting its development.
• The forecasts are made after considering the major factors currently impacting the market. These include the technological advancements such as AI and automation, Russia-Ukraine war, trade tariffs (government-imposed import/export duties), elevated inflation and interest rates.
• The total addressable market (TAM) analysis section defines and estimates the market potential compares it with the current market size, and provides strategic insights and growth opportunities based on this evaluation.
• The market attractiveness scoring section evaluates the market based on a quantitative scoring framework that considers growth potential, competitive dynamics, strategic fit, and risk profile. It also provides interpretive insights and strategic implications for decision-makers.
• Market segmentations break down the market into sub markets.
• The regional and country breakdowns section gives an analysis of the market in each geography and the size of the market by geography and compares their historic and forecast growth.
• Expanded geographical coverage includes Taiwan and Southeast Asia, reflecting recent supply chain realignments and manufacturing shifts in the region. This section analyzes how these markets are becoming increasingly important hubs in the global value chain.
• The competitive landscape chapter gives a description of the competitive nature of the market, market shares, and a description of the leading companies. Key financial deals which have shaped the market in recent years are identified.
• The company scoring matrix section evaluates and ranks leading companies based on a multi-parameter framework that includes market share or revenues, product innovation, and brand recognition.

Scope

• Markets Covered:1) By Grade: Pharmaceutical Grade; Industrial Grade; Food Grade
• 2) By Source: Shrimp; Squid; Crab; Krill; Other Sources
• 3) By Application: Water Treatment; Food And Beverages; Cosmetics; Medical And Pharmaceuticals; Agrochemicals; Other Applications
• Subsegments:
• 1) By Pharmaceutical Grade: Drug Delivery Systems; Wound Healing Applications
• 2) By Industrial Grade: Water Treatment; Agriculture And Crop Protection
• 3) By Food Grade: Food Preservation; Nutraceutical Applications
• Companies Mentioned: Advanced Biopolymers AS; FMC Corporation; Kyowa Hakko Bio Co. Ltd.; Dainichiseika Color & Chemicals Mfg. Co. Ltd.; IFF NovaMatrix; Golden-Shell Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd.; KIMICA Corporation; Xianju Tengwang Chitosan Factory; Marine Biopolymer Technologies Inc. (MBT); Bio-Gate AG; Axio Biosolutions; Heppe Medical Chitosan GmbH; Panvo Organics Pvt Ltd; Agratech International Inc.; Qingdao Yunzhou Biochemistry Co. Ltd.; Meron Biopolymers; G.T.C. Bio Corporation; Kitozyme S.A.; Kraeber & Co. GmbH; Qingdao BZG Bio-Tech Co. Ltd.; PT Biotech Surindo; Biophrame Technologies; Primex BioProducts; Chitofrance; Yishan Marine Biological Products Co. Ltd.; Qingdao Haihui Marine Bioengineering Co. Ltd.
• Countries: Australia; Brazil; China; France; Germany; India; Indonesia; Japan; Taiwan; Russia; South Korea; UK; USA; Canada; Italy; Spain
• Regions: Asia-Pacific; South East Asia; Western Europe; Eastern Europe; North America; South America; Middle East; Africa
• Time Series: Five years historic and ten years forecast.
• Data: Ratios of market size and growth to related markets, GDP proportions, expenditure per capita,
• Data Segmentations: country and regional historic and forecast data, market share of competitors, market segments.
• Sourcing and Referencing: Data and analysis throughout the report is sourced using end notes.
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