[185 Pages Report] The Chitosan Market size was estimated at USD 1.75 billion in 2023 and expected to reach USD 1.96 billion in 2024, at a CAGR 12.80% to reach USD 4.07 billion by 2030.

Chitosan is a naturally occurring polysaccharide obtained from the chitin found in the exoskeletons of crustaceans such as shrimp, crabs, and lobsters. Chitosan is created by treating chitin with an alkaline substance, usually sodium hydroxide, followed by a process of deacetylation, which removes acetyl groups from the chitin molecule. The increasing awareness of chitosan’s properties, such as its biocompatibility, biodegradability, and antimicrobial activity, has led to a rise in demand for chitosan in diverse industries such as pharmaceuticals, food & beverages, cosmetics, agriculture, and water treatment. There is an extensive demand for biodegradable materials, including chitosan, with an increasing focus on environmentally friendly alternatives. Production of chitosan involves extracting and processing chitin from crustacean shells, which are costly and labor-intensive, subsequently hampering the adoption of chitosan. Expanding research & development activities to develop value-added chitosan products and formulations by modifying their properties or combining them with other materials is expected to contribute to the chitosan market growth.

Product: increasing uses of chitosan as a thickener and coagulant in food & healthcare industry

Food-grade chitosan is precisely processed and refined to meet the safety and quality standards in the food & beverage industry. It undergoes thorough purification to remove impurities and ensure its suitability for human consumption. Industrial-grade chitosan is primarily used in non-food industrial applications. It is less refined than food-grade chitosan and may have different molecular weights. Industrial-grade chitosan is utilized in wastewater treatment, textiles, cosmetics, agriculture, and biotechnology sectors. Pharmaceutical-grade chitosan undergoes rigorous quality control measures to ensure its purity, safety, and consistency in pharmaceutical and biomedical applications.

Packaging Material: Utilization of chitosan as anti-corrosion fiber in packaging applications

Chitosan is applied as a coating on glass surfaces to enhance their barrier properties and improve the packaging’s overall performance. The chitosan coating helps to prevent the migration of gasses, moisture, and contaminants, thereby extending the shelf life of the packaged products. Chitosan is used as a laminating material for metal packaging. Applying a chitosan film as a barrier layer between the metal surface and the contents can improve the packaging’s resistance to corrosion, oxidation, and moisture. Chitosan can also be incorporated into paper-based packaging materials to enhance their properties. Paper packaging acquires improved moisture resistance, antimicrobial properties, and mechanical strength by adding chitosan nanoparticles and chitosan-based coatings.

Source: Extensive availability of natural sources encouraging an extraction of chitosan

Crab, krill, shrimp, and squid are the primary sources for deriving chitosan. These four crustaceans are the natural sources used to extract chitosan, a biodegradable polysaccharide with several industrial and pharmaceutical applications. The specific process for extracting chitosan varies depending on the source; however, it normally involves the removal of the exoskeleton and treating the material with an acidic or basic solution to remove proteins and other components. Following such treatment, the remaining material is washed with water to purify it before being dried and processed into usable forms of chitosan.

Application: Widening uses of chitosan in agriculture and wastewater treatment providing numerous bio-organic properties

Chitosan is utilized in agriculture as a biopesticide and biostimulant, which helps to enhance plant growth, improve crop yield, and increase resistance against diseases and pests. Chitosan is incorporated into cosmetic and personal care products due to its film-forming, moisturizing, and antimicrobial properties. It is utilized in skincare formulations, hair care products, creams, lotions, and various beauty products. Chitosan is a natural food additive, thickening agent, and stabilizer. Chitosan can improve the texture, viscosity, and stability of food products. Chitosan has significant applications in the medical and pharmaceutical fields. It is used in drug delivery systems, wound healing products, tissue engineering scaffolds, and biomedical applications. Chitosan’s biocompatibility, biodegradability, and controlled-release properties make it suitable for various medical and pharmaceutical applications. Chitosan is employed in water treatment processes for its ability to remove pollutants, heavy metals, and organic compounds. It can act as a flocculant, adsorbent, and coagulant to aid water and wastewater treatment.

Regional Insights

The chitosan market is well-established in the Americas owing to the demand from pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, food & beverages, and water treatment sectors. Countries, including Germany, France, and the UK, have a strong presence in the pharmaceutical and cosmetics industries, which drives the demand for chitosan-based products in EMEA. Additionally, countries such as China, Japan, and South Korea are leading producers and consumers of chitosan, which provides a ready supply of chitosan raw materials, benefiting the market growth in Asia-Pacific. The adoption of sustainable agricultural practices in the APAC presents substantial opportunities for chitosan in crop protection and biostimulant applications. Regional regulations, industrial development, consumer preferences, and availability of raw materials influence the growth and adoption of chitosan in the Americas, Asia-Pacific, and EMEA.

FPNV Positioning Matrix

The FPNV Positioning Matrix is pivotal in evaluating the Chitosan Market. It offers a comprehensive assessment of vendors, examining key metrics related to Business Strategy and Product Satisfaction. This in-depth analysis empowers users to make well-informed decisions aligned with their requirements. Based on the evaluation, the vendors are then categorized into four distinct quadrants representing varying levels of success: Forefront (F), Pathfinder (P), Niche (N), or Vital (V).

Market Share Analysis

The Market Share Analysis is a comprehensive tool that provides an insightful and in-depth examination of the current state of vendors in the Chitosan Market. By meticulously comparing and analyzing vendor contributions in terms of overall revenue, customer base, and other key metrics, we can offer companies a greater understanding of their performance and the challenges they face when competing for market share. Additionally, this analysis provides valuable insights into the competitive nature of the sector, including factors such as accumulation, fragmentation dominance, and amalgamation traits observed over the base year period studied. With this expanded level of detail, vendors can make more informed decisions and devise effective strategies to gain a competitive edge in the market.

Key Company Profiles

The report delves into recent significant developments in the Chitosan Market, highlighting leading vendors and their innovative profiles. These include ADVANCED BIOPOLYMERS AS, AgraTech International, Inc., BIO21 COMPANY LIMITED, Biosynth Ltd., CD Bioparticles, ChitogenX Inc., ChitoLytic, Dainichiseika Color & Chemicals Mfg. Co., Ltd., Enargia Technologies, Fengchen Group Co.,Ltd., Glentham Life Sciences Ltd, Golden-Shell Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Heppe Medical Chitosan GmbH, ISF Chitin & Marine Products LLP, Iterro, Inc., Kitozyme, LLC, Koyo Chemical Co.,Ltd., Kunpoong Bio Co., Ltd., Matexcel, Merck KGaA, Meron Group, Neithal Biotech Private Limited, Norwegian Chitosan AS, Otto Chemie Pvt. Ltd., Panvo Organics Pvt. Ltd., Polysciences, Inc., Primex EHF, Qingdao Yuda Century Economy And Trade Co.,Ltd., Qingdao Yunzhou Biochemistry Co. Ltd., Refine Chemical Co.,Ltd., Siveele B.V., Tidal Vision Products Inc., Vietnam Food JSC, and Yixing Cleanwater Chemicals Co., Ltd..

Market Segmentation & Coverage

This research report categorizes the Chitosan Market to forecast the revenues and analyze trends in each of the following sub-markets:

  • Product
    • Food Grade
    • Industrial Grade
    • Pharmaceutical Grade
    • Research Grade
  • Source
    • Crab
    • Krill
    • Shrimp
    • Squid
  • Packaging Material
    • Glass
    • Metal
    • Paper & Plastic
  • Application
    • Agrochemicals
    • Cosmetics & Personal Care
    • Food & Beverages
    • Medical & Pharmaceuticals
    • Water Treatment

  • Region
    • Americas
      • Argentina
      • Brazil
      • Canada
      • Mexico
      • United States
        • California
        • Florida
        • Illinois
        • New York
        • Ohio
        • Pennsylvania
        • Texas
    • Asia-Pacific
      • Australia
      • China
      • India
      • Indonesia
      • Japan
      • Malaysia
      • Philippines
      • Singapore
      • South Korea
      • Taiwan
      • Thailand
      • Vietnam
    • Europe, Middle East & Africa
      • Denmark
      • Egypt
      • Finland
      • France
      • Germany
      • Israel
      • Italy
      • Netherlands
      • Nigeria
      • Norway
      • Poland
      • Qatar
      • Russia
      • Saudi Arabia
      • South Africa
      • Spain
      • Sweden
      • Switzerland
      • Turkey
      • United Arab Emirates
      • United Kingdom

The report offers valuable insights on the following aspects:

  1. Market Penetration: It presents comprehensive information on the market provided by key players.
  2. Market Development: It delves deep into lucrative emerging markets and analyzes the penetration across mature market segments.
  3. Market Diversification: It provides detailed information on new product launches, untapped geographic regions, recent developments, and investments.
  4. Competitive Assessment & Intelligence: It conducts an exhaustive assessment of market shares, strategies, products, certifications, regulatory approvals, patent landscape, and manufacturing capabilities of the leading players.
  5. Product Development & Innovation: It offers intelligent insights on future technologies, R&D activities, and breakthrough product developments.

The report addresses key questions such as:

  1. What is the market size and forecast of the Chitosan Market?
  2. Which products, segments, applications, and areas should one consider investing in over the forecast period in the Chitosan Market?
  3. What are the technology trends and regulatory frameworks in the Chitosan Market?
  4. What is the market share of the leading vendors in the Chitosan Market?
  5. Which modes and strategic moves are suitable for entering the Chitosan Market?