Chitosan Market Report 2026

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.

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