Chitosan Market Size, Share & Industry Analysis, By Application (Pharmaceutical, Cosmetics, Water Treatment, Food & Beverages, Others) and Regional Forecast, 2026-2034

The global chitosan market size was valued at USD 18.96 billion in 2025. The market is projected to grow from USD 22.86 billion in 2026 to USD 102. billion by 2034, exhibiting a CAGR of 20.56% during the forecast period.

Chitosan is a sugar compound that is natural generated from the rigid outer skeleton of shellfish such as lobster, crab, and shrimp. Chitosan has major application in the medical industry, it is used as fillers in drugs, to modify the dissolving process of drugs. It also have preservative properties useful in extending the shelf life of food. Some other application of chitosan also inlcudes water treatment, cosmetics, food & beverages, and others. Where it is used as a antimicrobial agent for food and chelating agent of purification of water. Chitosan is also used as a fungicide, as it offers health benfits when added to dietary supplements. Rising application of chitosan in medical industry is expected to drive the chitosan market.

The market for chitosan is driven by the rising demand from the cosmetics industry. More demand for cosmetic products such as skin care and hair products diven by changing lifestyle of the consumers. Morepover, scope towards water treatment is growing due to regulations over pollution reduction. This is expected to drive the market for Chitosan.

Key Market Driver -

Increasing growth in the cosmetics industry.

Key Market Restraint -

Restrictions over raw materials use.

The chitosan industry will be affected due to restrictions over raw materials use. Shellfish such as shrimp, crab and others are used for commercial production of chitosan, shrimp being the majorly used raw material. Governmental regulations over preserving the natural resources and marine life is likely to affect the market growth, thus restraining the market for chitosan.

Chitosan Market Segmentation:

Based on application, the market is segmented into pharmaceutical, cosmetics, water treatment, food & beverages, and others.

From a geographical standpoint, the market is categorized into North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, and the Middle East and Africa.

Key Players Covered:

The global chitosan market is competitive, with a number of global & regional players operating. Some of the key players in the chitosan market includes- 

• Qingdao Yunzhou Biochemistry Co.
• Advanced Biopolymers AS
• Panvo Organics Pvt. Ltd.
• Meron Biopolymers
• Heppe Medical Chitosan GmbH
• KitoZyme S.A
• Foodchem International Corporation
• Chitosanlab
• Primex EHF
• Golden-Shell Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd.
• Chitinor AS
• Others

Key Insights

• New Advancements in Production Technologies
• Key Trends in the Chitosan Market
• New Product Launches, Expansions, Key Players
• Ranking of Key Players in the Market

Regional Insights:

The chitosan industry has been segmented into North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, and Middle East & Africa. The Asia-Pacific dominated the market due to growing application in cosmetics and water treatment, along with incresing demand for bio-based product from the consumer is expected to propel the demand for chitosan  market in the region. Growing economies such as China, India, and South Korea is expected to increasing the demand for food, which in turn will support the market growth of chitosan. The North America, growing pharmaceutical application for ehancign the drugs is expected to support the market growth in the region.

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In Europe, the market is expected to grow for chitosan due to rising demand from the food processing industries in the region. Additionally, the adoption of chitosan mainly in the production of cosmetic products is supporting the growth of the market in the region. The consumption of chitosan is also increasing in Latin America and Middle East & Africa due to growing urbanisation and growing disposable income among the consumers leading to a rise in demand for cosmetic products and clean water is expected to drive the market growth.

Chitosan Market Segmentation

Chitosan Market Developments

• In February 2019, Axio Biosolutions launched MaxioCel, a next generation wound care dressing made of chitosan. The product will provide faster healing to the patients suffering from chronic wounds, such as pressure ulcers, diabetic foot ulcers, venous leg ulcers, cavity wounds, skin abrasions, donor sites and post-operative surgical wounds, and to name some.