The Global Chitin Market was valued at US$ 176 Million in 2025 and is projected to reach US$ 221 Million by 2034, growing at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 3.4% during the forecast period (2024–2034). In 2024, global chitin production reached approximately 43.2 thousand metric tons (K MT), with an average market price of around US$ 4,251 per MT. This growth is driven by the rising demand for bio-based, biodegradable materials, stricter environmental regulations on synthetic chemicals, and the valorization of seafood processing waste into high-value products.

As industries from agriculture and healthcare to water treatment seek sustainable alternatives, chitin and its derivative chitosan are emerging as versatile biopolymers with significant potential. In this blog, we profile the Top 10 Companies in the Chitin Industry—a group of innovators and established producers shaping the supply chain for this remarkable natural polymer.

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🔟 1. Primex ehf

Headquarters: Siglufjörður, Iceland
Key Offering: High-Quality Chitin and Chitosan, Pharmaceutical and Cosmetic Grades

Primex is a leading global producer of high-purity chitin and chitosan, sourced from sustainable Arctic shrimp shells. The company’s unique cold-water extraction process results in products with consistent quality, making them ideal for demanding applications in pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and medical devices.

Innovation and Sustainability Initiatives:

• Proprietary enzymatic and eco-friendly extraction technology

• Focus on pharmaceutical-grade chitosan for wound care and drug delivery

• Sustainable sourcing from North Atlantic fisheries by-products

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9️⃣ 2. Kunpoong Bio Co., Ltd.

Headquarters: Busan, South Korea
Key Offering: Various Grades of Chitin and Chitosan, Customized Molecular Weights

Kunpoong Bio is a major South Korean manufacturer with a strong focus on research and development. The company supplies a wide range of chitin and chitosan products to the food, cosmetics, and agricultural sectors, with an emphasis on tailored solutions for specific customer needs.

Innovation and Sustainability Initiatives:

• Advanced R&D in chitosan oligosaccharides for agriculture

• Investment in green chemistry processes to reduce environmental impact

• Strategic partnerships in the Asia-Pacific nutraceutical market

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8️⃣ 3. Advanced Biopolymers AS

Headquarters: Trondheim, Norway
Key Offering: ChitoClear® Pharmaceutical-Grade Chitosan

A subsidiary of the Danish company Kremer, Advanced Biopolymers is renowned for its ChitoClear® brand, which sets the standard for high-quality, >95% deacetylated chitosan. The company’s products are primarily used in advanced medical and cosmetic applications.

Innovation and Sustainability Initiatives:

• GMP-certified production for medical and pharmaceutical markets

• Leading supplier of chitosan for hemostatic agents and tissue engineering

• Commitment to traceable and sustainable raw material sourcing

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7️⃣ 4. Heppe Medical Chitosan GmbH

Headquarters: Halle (Saale), Germany
Key Offering: Medical, Food, and Cosmetic Grade Chitosan

Heppe Medical Chitosan is a German specialist providing high-purity chitosan for the life sciences industry. The company offers a diverse portfolio, including water-soluble chitosan salts and custom formulations, serving clients in Europe and North America.

Innovation and Sustainability Initiatives:

• Specialization in chitosan for dietary supplements and functional foods

• Development of novel chitosan-based biomaterials for 3D bioprinting

• Active participation in EU-funded research projects on bioeconomy

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6️⃣ 5. Golden-Shell Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.

Headquarters: Yuhuan, Zhejiang, China
Key Offering: Industrial, Food, and Pharmaceutical Grade Chitosan

Golden-Shell is one of China’s largest chitin and chitosan producers, with a vertically integrated operation from crustacean shell sourcing to finished product manufacturing. The company has a significant global export footprint, particularly in the industrial and food additive sectors.

Innovation and Sustainability Initiatives:

• Large-scale production capacity for cost-effective industrial grade chitosan

• Expansion into high-margin pharmaceutical intermediates

• Implementation of wastewater treatment and recycling systems

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5️⃣ 6. Qingdao Yunzhou Biochemistry Co., Ltd.

Headquarters: Qingdao, Shandong, China
Key Offering: Chitosan, Chitin, Chitosan Oligosaccharide

Qingdao Yunzhou Biochemistry is a key player in the Asian market, specializing in the production of chitosan and its derivatives. The company leverages its coastal location for access to raw materials and serves a broad customer base in agriculture and water treatment.

Innovation and Sustainability Initiatives:

• Strong focus on chitosan for agricultural biostimulants and biopesticides

• Development of water-soluble chitosan oligosaccharides for foliar applications

• Investment in R&D for new product applications in aquaculture

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4️⃣ 7. Fengrun Biochemical Co., Ltd.

Headquarters: Weifang, Shandong, China
Key Offering: Crude Chitin, Industrial Grade Chitosan

Fengrun Biochemical is a major supplier of crude chitin and standard-grade chitosan, primarily for industrial applications such as water purification and textile finishing. The company benefits from a robust domestic supply chain for crab and shrimp shell waste.

Innovation and Sustainability Initiatives:

• Cost leadership in the production of bulk industrial-grade chitin products

• Exploration of chitin-based adsorbents for heavy metal removal

• Efforts to optimize energy consumption in the demineralization process

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3️⃣ 8. Navamedic ASA

Headquarters: Oslo, Norway
Key Offering: Chitosan-based Medical Devices (e.g., Celox™ Hemostatic Gauze)

Navamedic is a Nordic pharmaceutical company that develops and markets medical products, with a significant focus on chitosan-based hemostatic devices. While not a primary producer of raw chitin, the company is a critical innovator in the high-value downstream segment.

Innovation and Sustainability Initiatives:

• Commercialization of life-saving chitosan-based hemorrhage control products

• Regulatory expertise in achieving FDA and CE approvals for medical devices

• Focus on expanding market access for its products in emergency medicine

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2️⃣ 9. Bannawach Bio-Line

Headquarters: Samut Sakhon, Thailand
Key Offering: Food Grade and Agricultural Grade Chitosan

Located in a global seafood processing hub, Bannawach Bio-Line utilizes abundant local shell waste to produce chitosan for the food and agriculture industries in Southeast Asia. The company is well-positioned to serve the growing regional demand for biological crop protection agents.

Innovation and Sustainability Initiatives:

• Utilization of Thailand’s extensive seafood industry by-products

• Development of chitosan formulations for organic farming

• Focus on affordable solutions for smallholder farmers

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1️⃣ 10. Zhongke Xinghai

Headquarters: Dalian, Liaoning, China
Key Offering: Chitin, Chitosan, and Custom Derivatives

Zhongke Xinghai is an emerging Chinese company with a focus on technological innovation in chitin processing. The company is investing in advanced purification techniques to compete in the medium-to-high purity segments of the market.

Innovation and Sustainability Initiatives:

• Research into enzymatic deacetylation for cleaner production

• Development of specialty chitosan for the cosmetics industry

• Strategic focus on the domestic Chinese market for biopolymer applications

Get Full Report Here: Chitin Market – View in Detailed Research Report

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🌍 Outlook: The Future of Chitin Is Green and High-Value

The chitin market is undergoing a significant transformation. While traditional, cost-sensitive industrial applications still drive volume, the industry is increasingly investing in high-purity, specialty grades for biomedical, cosmetic, and advanced agricultural uses. The push towards a circular bioeconomy is turning waste streams into valuable resources.

📈 Key Trends Shaping the Market:

• R&D into enzymatic and green extraction methods to replace harsh chemicals

• Growing demand for chitosan in organic agriculture as a biostimulant and elicitor

• Expansion of chitin-based wound care and drug delivery systems in healthcare

• Increasing regulatory acceptance and standardization for chitosan in food and medicine

Get Full Report Here: Chitin Market – View in Detailed Research Report

The companies listed above are not only supplying a versatile biopolymer—they’re pioneering the sustainable utilization of natural resources for a cleaner, healthier future.