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    Chitin Chitosan Derivatives Market

    ID: MRFR/F-B & N/7117-CR
    150 Pages
    Snehal Singh
    November 2019

    Chitin, Chitosan, and Derivatives Market Research Report: Information by Type (Chitin, Chitosan, Glucosamine, and Others), Application (Food & Beverages, Pharmaceuticals Nutraceuticals, Animal Feed, Agriculture, and others), And by Region (North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, And Rest Of The World) –Market Forecast Till 2035

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    Chitin Chitosan Derivatives Market Summary

    As per Market Research Future Analysis, the Global Chitin, Chitosan, and Derivatives Market was valued at USD 4.60 Billion in 2024 and is projected to reach USD 17.41 Billion by 2035, growing at a CAGR of 12.86% from 2025 to 2035. The market is driven by increasing health awareness and the availability of raw materials, with significant applications in agriculture, food & beverages, and pharmaceuticals. The chitosan segment accounted for 48% of market revenue in 2022, while the pharmaceuticals & nutraceuticals application generated 41% of revenue. North America is expected to dominate the market due to rising health awareness and a strong pharmaceutical industry presence.

    Key Market Trends & Highlights

    Key trends driving the Chitin, Chitosan, and Derivatives Market include health awareness and demand for eco-friendly products.

    • Market Size in 2024: USD 4.60 Billion
    • Projected Market Size by 2035: USD 17.41 Billion
    • CAGR from 2025 to 2035: 12.86%
    • Chitosan segment revenue in 2022: USD 1.7 Billion (48% market share)

    Market Size & Forecast

    2024 Market Size USD 4.60 Billion
    2035 Market Size USD 17.41 Billion
    CAGR (2025-2035) 12.86%

    Major Players

    Key players include Advanced Biopolymers AS, G.T.C. Bio Corporation, Golden-Shell Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd., Heppe Medical Chitosan GmbH, Kitozyme, LLC, and others.

    Chitin Chitosan Derivatives Market Trends

    The growing health awareness is driving the market growth

    Market CAGR for chitin, chitosan, and derivatives is being driven by rising health awareness. The growing demand for natural and eco-friendly goods across numerous sectors is one of the key contributors to the Market. They are recyclable, toxic-free, and renewable, making them an appealing alternative to harmful synthetic substances. The agriculture industry is a major user, and their usage in agriculture will likely increase in the future. They can enhance soil quality, boost crop yields, and promote plant development and resistance to diseases and pests.

    Also, technical advances in manufacturing procedures are predicted to reduce production costs and boost the effectiveness of chitosan and chitin derivatives manufacturing. This might result in expanded production and lower prices, making them more widely available.

    Fears of fresh COVID outbreaks and China's already unclear post-pandemic course create a genuine possibility that the globe may experience more severe supply chain suffering and manufacturing interruptions this year. Volatile markets for finance, rising trade tensions, tightening regulatory surroundings, and more pressure to incorporate the effects of climate change within economic choices will add to the complexity of the issues ahead. Most markets, investors, and consumers are anticipated to have a difficult year in 2023. Nonetheless, opportunities exist for organizations and individuals that can map a course forward with endurance and adaptation.

    For instance, the increase in the need for these compounds by the waste & water treatment industries in established and emerging nations is the primary driver of market expansion. Rising uses including in agrochemicals and the development and growth of different end-user sectors, particularly in emerging countries, will also have a direct and beneficial influence on the Market's growth rate. Thus, it is anticipated that demand for Chitin, Chitosan, and Derivatives will increase throughout the projected timeframe due to rising health awareness. Thus, driving the Chitin, Chitosan, and Derivatives market revenue.

    The growing interest in sustainable materials and biopolymers is likely to drive the expansion of the chitin and chitosan market, as these biopolymers offer eco-friendly alternatives across various industries.

    U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)

    Chitin Chitosan Derivatives Market Drivers

    Market Growth Projections

    Innovations in Food Preservation

    The Global Chitin, Chitosan, and Derivatives Market Industry is benefiting from innovations in food preservation techniques. Chitosan's natural antimicrobial properties are being harnessed to extend the shelf life of perishable goods. Its application in food coatings and packaging is gaining traction, as it helps inhibit microbial growth while maintaining food quality. This trend is particularly relevant in the context of increasing global food waste, where effective preservation methods are crucial. As a result, the food industry is likely to adopt chitosan-based solutions more widely, contributing to the market's anticipated growth to 17.4 USD Billion by 2035.

    Supportive Regulatory Frameworks

    The Global Chitin, Chitosan, and Derivatives Market Industry is supported by favorable regulatory frameworks that encourage the use of natural and biodegradable materials. Governments worldwide are implementing policies aimed at reducing plastic waste and promoting sustainable practices. For example, regulations that limit single-use plastics are driving industries to explore alternatives like chitin and chitosan. This supportive environment not only fosters innovation but also enhances market accessibility for manufacturers. Consequently, the industry is poised for growth, as these regulations align with the increasing consumer demand for environmentally friendly products.

    Growing Interest in Nutraceuticals

    The Global Chitin, Chitosan, and Derivatives Market Industry is experiencing a growing interest in nutraceuticals, which are products derived from food sources with health benefits. Chitosan is recognized for its potential in weight management and cholesterol reduction, leading to its incorporation in dietary supplements. As consumers become more health-conscious, the demand for natural and functional ingredients in nutraceuticals is on the rise. This trend is likely to propel the market forward, as the industry adapts to meet the evolving preferences of health-oriented consumers.

    Expanding Applications in Healthcare

    The Global Chitin, Chitosan, and Derivatives Market Industry is witnessing expanding applications in the healthcare sector. Chitosan's biocompatibility and non-toxicity make it an attractive option for drug delivery systems, wound dressings, and tissue engineering. Its ability to promote wound healing and reduce infection rates has led to increased adoption in medical applications. Furthermore, the growing prevalence of chronic diseases necessitates innovative healthcare solutions, thereby driving demand for chitosan-based products. This sector's growth is anticipated to significantly contribute to the market, with projections indicating a robust CAGR of 12.87% from 2025 to 2035.

    Rising Demand in Biodegradable Materials

    The Global Chitin, Chitosan, and Derivatives Market Industry is experiencing a notable surge in demand for biodegradable materials. As environmental concerns escalate, industries are increasingly seeking sustainable alternatives to conventional plastics. Chitin and chitosan, derived from crustacean shells, offer eco-friendly properties that align with global sustainability goals. For instance, the packaging sector is adopting these materials for their biodegradability and non-toxicity. This trend is projected to contribute to the market's growth, with the industry expected to reach 4.6 USD Billion in 2024, reflecting a growing preference for sustainable materials across various applications.

    Market Segment Insights

    Chitin, Chitosan, and Derivatives Type Insights

    The Chitin, Chitosan, and Derivatives market segmentation, based on type, includes Chitin, Chitosan, Glucosamine, and others. The chitosan segment dominated the Market, accounting for 48% of market revenue (USD 1.7 billion) in 2022. The category dominance may be ascribed to the strong demand for chitosan in various use sectors, including beverages and food, farming, aquaculture, packaging for food, and pharmaceuticals.

    Figure 1: Chitin, Chitosan, and Derivatives Market, by type, 2022 & 2032 (USD Billion)

    Source: Secondary Research, Primary Research, Market Research Future Database, and Analyst Review

    Chitin, Chitosan, and Derivatives Application Insights

    The Chitin, Chitosan, and Derivatives market segmentation, based on Applications, includes Food & Beverages, Pharmaceuticals & Nutraceuticals, Animal Feed, Agriculture, and others. The pharmaceuticals & nutraceuticals category and Informatics category generated the highest market revenue of about 41% (USD 2.3 billion) in 2022. The category is expected to develop quickly throughout the projected timeframe, owing to increased consumption of organic food & beverages, particularly in the USA and Europe.

    Get more detailed insights about Chitin, Chitosan and Derivatives Market Research Report - Global Forecast till 2032

    Regional Insights

    By region, the research provides market insights into North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and the Rest of the World. The North American Chitin, Chitosan, and Derivatives market area will dominate this Market during the projected timeframe, owing to rising health awareness and comprehension of the advantages of chitin, chitosan, and its derivatives. In addition, the rising number of established pharma and nutraceutical industries will boost market growth in the North American region.

    Further, the major nations studied in the market report are the US, Canada, German, France, the UK, Italy, Spain, China, Japan, India, Australia, South Korea, and Brazil.

    Figure 2: Chitin, Chitosan, and Derivatives Market Share by Region 2022 (USD Billion)

    Chitin, Chitosan, and Derivatives Market Share by Region 2022 (USD Billion)

    Source: Secondary Research, Primary Research, Market Research Future Database, and Analyst Review

    Europe region’s Chitin, Chitosan, and Derivatives market accounts for the second-highest market share due to the growing need for environmentally friendly and biodegradable products, as well as increased awareness of the advantages of chitin and chitosan derivatives in a variety of sectors. Further, the German Chitin, Chitosan, and Derivatives market holds the largest market share, and the UK Chitin, Chitosan, and Derivatives market is expected to grow and expand significantly in the European region during the projected timeframe.

    The Asia-Pacific Chitin, Chitosan, and Derivatives Marketis expected to grow quickly during the projected timeframe. This is due to fast economic expansion in emerging nations, rapid urbanization and modernization, expanding industry, and ample raw material supply. Moreover, China’s Chitin, Chitosan, and Derivatives market dominates the market share, and the Indian Chitin, Chitosan, and Derivatives market is expected to expand and grow steadily in the Asia-Pacific region during the projected timeframe.

    Global Chitin, Chitosan, and Derivatives Market

    Recent Development

    Dec. 15, 2022, Wood plc. (Scotland) announced a collaboration with CuanTec Ltd. (Scotland), a Scottish circular economy business, to develop separation technologies for processing Chitin. The new cutting-edge separation solution will process shellfish waste to extract Chitin, a naturally occurring, compostable biopolymer used in various pharmaceutical, cosmetics, and food applications.

    The contract will enable Wood to provide the front-end engineering design (FEED) to modify CuanTec's newly acquired separation plant in Scotland, followed by the expansion of that facility. Wood will continue to provide the engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) FEED from additional new production facilities globally, enabling mass production of CuanTec's ultra-pure Chitin and chitin-based products.

    On Oct. 29, 2022, Cruz Foam announced that its chitin-based packaging has attracted a US$18M investment. The company will utilize these funds to develop naturally derived and compostable alternatives to meet the industry's growing demand for green packaging solutions. It creates materials from Chitin derived from most crustaceans' shells, like crabs, shrimp, lobsters, and many land insects.

    Strong, stable, and biodegradable Chitin can be obtained from any seafood processing plant. The company has been working on prototyping an effective process to turn Chitin and other natural ingredients into a material that could replace expanded polystyrene foams (EPFs) like Styrofoam and other common plastic packaging. In addition to electronics, Cruz Foam is poised to break into half a dozen more industries

    Key Players and Competitive Insights

    Leading market players invested heavily in research and Development (R&D) to scale up their manufacturing units and develop technologically advanced solutions, which will help the Chitin, Chitosan, and Derivatives Market grow worldwide. Market participants are also undertaking various organic or inorganic strategic approaches to strengthen and expand their footprint, with significant market developments including new product portfolios, contractual deals, mergers and acquisitions, capital expenditure, higher investments, and strategic alliances with other organizations. Businesses are also coming up with marketing strategies such as digital marketing, social media influencing, and content marketing to increase their scope of profit earnings.

    The Chitin, Chitosan, and Derivatives industry must offer cost-effective and sustainable options to survive in a highly fragmented and dynamic market climate.

    Manufacturing locally to minimize operational expenses and offer aftermarket services to customers is one of the critical business strategies organizations use in the Chitin, Chitosan, and Derivatives industry to benefit customers and capture untapped market share and revenue. The Chitin, Chitosan, and Derivatives industry has recently offered significant advantages to the Food, Beverages, & Nutrition industry. Moreover, more industry participants are utilizing and adopting cutting-edge Technology has grown substantially. Major players in the Chitin, Chitosan, and Derivatives Market, including Advanced Biopolymers AS (Norway), G.T.C. Bio Corporation (China), Golden-Shell Pharmaceutical Co.

    Ltd. (China), Heppe Medical Chitosan GmbH (Germany), Kitozyme, LLC (Belgium), Zhejiang Shinfuda Marine Biotechnology Corp. (China), Meron Group (India), Primex EHF (Iceland), Zhejiang Candorly Pharmaceutical Co. (China), and Panvo Organics Pvt Ltd (India) and others are attempting to expand market share and demand by investing in R&D operations to produce sustainable and affordable solutions.

    KitoZyme is the world leader in the production of fungal-derived chitosan and chitin-glucan. Chitin is extracted and utilized to make dietary supplements and medicinal items. KitoZyme creates creative, green, and secure products for the food, health, wine, personal hygiene, and agriculture industries. Kitozyme SA, a Belgium-based firm, has begun manufacturing chitin-based goods derived from non-animal feed. Chitin is extracted and utilized to make dietary supplements and medicinal items.

    CuanTec is a Scottish biotech business. Their technologies employ an innovative, scientifically demonstrated method for processing the resulting waste flow in an environmentally conscious manner, yielding natural, ultra-pure chitin with no CO2 emissions, an important advance over traditional chitin extraction methods, which harm the biopolymer and produce harmful byproducts. Hive Energy LTD acquired Cuan Tec, a firm in Glasgow that turns shellfish industrial trash into superior chitin-based goods, in March 2022. The former has invented a novel method for extracting biopolymer chitosan from abandoned scallop trash collected from different fisheries for use in ecologically friendly products.

    Key Companies in the Chitin Chitosan Derivatives Market market include

    Industry Developments

    Dec. 15, 2022, Wood plc. (Scotland) announced a collaboration with CuanTec Ltd. (Scotland), a Scottish circular economy business, to develop separation technologies for processing Chitin. The new cutting-edge separation solution will process shellfish waste to extract Chitin, a naturally occurring, compostable biopolymer used in various pharmaceutical, cosmetics, and food applications.

    The contract will enable Wood to provide the front-end engineering design (FEED) to modify CuanTec's newly acquired separation plant in Scotland, followed by the expansion of that facility. Wood will continue to provide the engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) FEED from additional new production facilities globally, enabling mass production of CuanTec's ultra-pure Chitin and chitin-based products.

    On Oct. 29, 2022, Cruz Foam announced that its chitin-based packaging has attracted a US$18M investment. The company will utilize these funds to develop naturally derived and compostable alternatives to meet the industry's growing demand for green packaging solutions. It creates materials from Chitin derived from most crustaceans' shells, like crabs, shrimp, lobsters, and many land insects.

    Strong, stable, and biodegradable Chitin can be obtained from any seafood processing plant. The company has been working on prototyping an effective process to turn Chitin and other natural ingredients into a material that could replace expanded polystyrene foams (EPFs) like Styrofoam and other common plastic packaging. In addition to electronics, Cruz Foam is poised to break into half a dozen more industries

    Chitin, Chitosan, and Derivatives Key Market Players & Competitive Insights

    Leading market players invested heavily in research and Development (R&D) to scale up their manufacturing units and develop technologically advanced solutions, which will help the Chitin, Chitosan, and Derivatives Market grow worldwide. Market participants are also undertaking various organic or inorganic strategic approaches to strengthen and expand their footprint, with significant market developments including new product portfolios, contractual deals, mergers and acquisitions, capital expenditure, higher investments, and strategic alliances with other organizations. Businesses are also coming up with marketing strategies such as digital marketing, social media influencing, and content marketing to increase their scope of profit earnings.

    The Chitin, Chitosan, and Derivatives industry must offer cost-effective and sustainable options to survive in a highly fragmented and dynamic market climate.

    Manufacturing locally to minimize operational expenses and offer aftermarket services to customers is one of the critical business strategies organizations use in the Chitin, Chitosan, and Derivatives industry to benefit customers and capture untapped market share and revenue. The Chitin, Chitosan, and Derivatives industry has recently offered significant advantages to the Food, Beverages, & Nutrition industry. Moreover, more industry participants are utilizing and adopting cutting-edge Technology has grown substantially. Major players in the Chitin, Chitosan, and Derivatives Market, including Advanced Biopolymers AS (Norway), G.T.C. Bio Corporation (China), Golden-Shell Pharmaceutical Co.

    Ltd. (China), Heppe Medical Chitosan GmbH (Germany), Kitozyme, LLC (Belgium), Zhejiang Shinfuda Marine Biotechnology Corp. (China), Meron Group (India), Primex EHF (Iceland), Zhejiang Candorly Pharmaceutical Co. (China), and Panvo Organics Pvt Ltd (India) and others are attempting to expand market share and demand by investing in R&D operations to produce sustainable and affordable solutions.

    KitoZyme is the world leader in the production of fungal-derived chitosan and chitin-glucan. Chitin is extracted and utilized to make dietary supplements and medicinal items. KitoZyme creates creative, green, and secure products for the food, health, wine, personal hygiene, and agriculture industries. Kitozyme SA, a Belgium-based firm, has begun manufacturing chitin-based goods derived from non-animal feed. Chitin is extracted and utilized to make dietary supplements and medicinal items.

    CuanTec is a Scottish biotech business. Their technologies employ an innovative, scientifically demonstrated method for processing the resulting waste flow in an environmentally conscious manner, yielding natural, ultra-pure chitin with no CO2 emissions, an important advance over traditional chitin extraction methods, which harm the biopolymer and produce harmful byproducts. Hive Energy LTD acquired Cuan Tec, a firm in Glasgow that turns shellfish industrial trash into superior chitin-based goods, in March 2022. The former has invented a novel method for extracting biopolymer chitosan from abandoned scallop trash collected from different fisheries for use in ecologically friendly products.

    Key Companies in the Chitin, Chitosan, and Derivatives Market include

    • Advanced Biopolymers AS (Norway)
    • T.C. Bio Corporation (China)
    • Golden-Shell Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd. (China)
    • Heppe Medical Chitosan GmbH (Germany)
    • Kitozyme, LLC (Belgium)
    • Zhejiang Shinfuda Marine Biotechnology Corp. (China)
    • Meron Group (India)
    • Primex EHF (Iceland)
    • Zhejiang Candorly Pharmaceutical Co. (China)
    • Panvo Organics Pvt Ltd (India)

    Chitin, Chitosan, and Derivatives Industry Developments

    March 2022: Hive Energy LTD acquired Cuan Tec, a firm in Glasgow that turns shellfish industrial trash into superior chitin-based goods, in March 2022. The former has invented a novel method for extracting biopolymer chitosan from abandoned scallop trash collected from different fisheries for use in ecologically friendly products.

    Key manufacturers have recently developed chitin & chitosan-based nanomaterials with potential medical research uses. This potential polymer has novel properties such as non-toxicity, low openness, non-immunogenicity, biological compatibility, and biodegradable properties.

    Kitozyme SA, a Belgium-based firm, has begun manufacturing chitin-based goods derived from non-animal feed. Chitin is extracted and utilized to make dietary supplements and medicinal items.

    Future Outlook

    Chitin Chitosan Derivatives Market Future Outlook

    The Global Chitin, Chitosan, and Derivatives Market is poised for growth at 12.86% CAGR from 2025 to 2035, driven by increasing demand in pharmaceuticals, agriculture, and food industries.

    New opportunities lie in:

    • Develop biodegradable packaging solutions utilizing chitosan to meet sustainability goals. Innovate chitin-based wound dressings for advanced healthcare applications. Expand into nutraceuticals by formulating chitosan supplements targeting weight management.

    By 2035, the market is expected to achieve substantial growth, reflecting a robust demand for sustainable and innovative applications.

    Market Segmentation

    Chitin, Chitosan, and Derivatives Type Outlook

    • Chitin
    • Chitosan
    • Glucosamine
    • Others

    Chitin, Chitosan, and Derivatives Regional Outlook

    • {""=>["US"
    • "Canada"]}
    • {""=>["Germany"
    • "France"
    • "UK"
    • "Italy"
    • "Spain"
    • "Rest of Europe"]}
    • {""=>["China"
    • "Japan"
    • "India"
    • "Australia"
    • "South Korea"
    • "Rest of Asia-Pacific"]}
    • {""=>["Middle East"
    • "Africa"
    • "Latin America"]}

    Chitin, Chitosan, and Derivatives Application Outlook

    • Food & Beverages
    • Pharmaceuticals & Nutraceuticals
    • Animal Feed
    • Agriculture
    • Others

    Report Scope

    Report Attribute/Metric Details
    Market Size 2024 USD 4.60 Billion
    Market Size 2035 17.41 (Value (USD Billion))
    Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) 12.86% (2025 - 2035)
    Base Year 2024
    Market Forecast Period 2025 - 2035
    Historical Data 2018- 2022
    Market Forecast Units Value (USD Billion)
    Report Coverage Revenue Forecast, Market Competitive Landscape, Growth Factors, and Trends
    Segments Covered Type, Application, and Region
    Geographies Covered North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, and the Rest of the World
    Countries Covered The US, Canada, German, France, UK, Italy, Spain, China, Japan, India, Australia, South Korea, and Brazil
    Key companies profiled Advanced Biopolymers AS (Norway), G.T.C. Bio Corporation (China), Golden-Shell Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd. (China), Heppe Medical Chitosan GmbH (Germany), Kitozyme, LLC (Belgium), Zhejiang Shinfuda Marine Biotechnology Corp. (China), Meron Group (India), Primex EHF (Iceland), Zhejiang Candorly Pharmaceutical Co. (China), and Panvo Organics Pvt Ltd (India)
    Key Market Opportunities Increasing health awareness
    Key Market Dynamics The ample supply of raw materials
    Market Size 2025 5.19 (Value (USD Billion))

    Market Highlights

    Author
    Snehal Singh
    Assistant Manager - Research

    High acumen in analyzing complex macro & micro markets with more than 6 years of work experience in the field of market research. By implementing her analytical skills in forecasting and estimation into market research reports, she has expertise in Packaging, Construction, and Equipment domains. She handles a team size of 20-25 resources and ensures smooth running of the projects, associated marketing activities, and client servicing.

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    FAQs

    How much is the Chitin, Chitosan, and Derivatives Market?

    The Chitin, Chitosan, and Derivatives market size is projected at USD 4.01 Billion in 2023.

    What is the growth rate of the Chitin, Chitosan, and Derivatives Market?

    The worldwide Chitin, Chitosan, and Derivatives Market is anticipated to grow and expand at a CAGR of 12.86% during the forecasted period.

    Which region holds the largest Chitin, Chitosan, and Derivatives Market share?

    North America had the largest share of the market

    Who are the key participants in the Chitin, Chitosan, and Derivatives Market?

    The key participants in the Market are Advanced Biopolymers AS (Norway), G.T.C. Bio Corporation (China), Golden-Shell Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd. (China), Heppe Medical Chitosan GmbH (Germany), Kitozyme, LLC (Belgium), Zhejiang Shinfuda Marine Biotechnology Corp. (China), Meron Group (India), Primex EHF (Iceland), Zhejiang Candorly Pharmaceutical Co. (China), and Panvo Organics Pvt Ltd (India).

    Which type led the Chitin, Chitosan, and Derivatives Market?

    The Chitosan category dominated the Market in 2023.

    Which Application has the largest market share in the Chitin, Chitosan, and Derivatives markets?

    Pharmaceuticals & Nutraceuticals had the largest share in the Market.

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