The Global Chitin and Chitosan Derivatives Market was valued at US$ 2,523.6 Million in 2022 and is projected to reach US$ 4,425.8 Million by 2029, growing at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 8.4% during the forecast period. This robust growth is fueled by increasing demand from the water treatment, healthcare, and food & beverage industries, coupled with the rising adoption of sustainable and biocompatible materials derived from natural sources.

As industries worldwide pivot towards greener alternatives, chitin and chitosan derivatives have emerged as versatile biopolymers with immense potential. In this blog, we profile the Top 10 Companies in the Chitin and Chitosan Derivatives Industry—a dynamic mix of established chemical producers and specialized biotech firms that are shaping the future of this high-growth market.

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🔟 1. Primex Ehf

Headquarters: Siglufjörður, Iceland
Key Offering: Chitosan, Chitosan Oligosaccharide, Glucosamine

Primex Ehf is a globally recognized leader in the production of high-quality chitosan and its derivatives, sourced sustainably from shrimp and crab shells harvested in the pristine waters of Iceland. The company’s vertically integrated process ensures a consistent and pure product supply for pharmaceutical, nutraceutical, and cosmetic applications.

Innovation and Sustainability Focus:

• Proprietary enzymatic hydrolysis technology for high-purity oligosaccharides

• Sustainable sourcing with full traceability from marine waste streams

• Strong R&D pipeline focused on advanced biomedical applications

Download FREE Sample Report:
Chitin and Chitosan Derivatives Market – View in Detailed Research Report

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9️⃣ 2. Kitozyme

Headquarters: Herstal, Belgium
Key Offering: KiOmedine® (Chitosan), KiOmedine® CmD (Carboxymethyl Chitosan)

Kitozyme is a Belgian biotechnology company specializing in the development and manufacturing of ultra-pure, medical-grade chitosan derivatives. Its flagship products are widely used in viscosupplementation for osteoarthritis treatment and other advanced medical devices, positioning the company as a key supplier to the global healthcare sector.

Innovation and Sustainability Focus:

• Pioneer in medical-grade chitosan for orthopedics and wound care

• Unique, patented purification processes free from animal-derived impurities

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8️⃣ 3. Advanced Biopolymers AS

Headquarters: Tromsø, Norway
Key Offering: ChitoClear® (Pharmaceutical Grade Chitosan), Chitosan HCl

Advanced Biopolymers AS, a part of the Norwegian biotech cluster, is renowned for its ChitoClear® brand of high-quality, pharmaceutical-grade chitosan. The company leverages Arctic shrimp shells to produce a range of derivatives tailored for demanding applications in drug delivery, dietary supplements, and advanced materials.

Innovation and Sustainability Focus:

• Expertise in GMP-compliant production for pharmaceutical partners

• Focus on developing chitosan-based solutions for controlled drug release

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7️⃣ 4. Heppe Medical Chitosan GmbH

Headquarters: Halle (Saale), Germany
Key Offering: Diverse Chitosan Salts, Chitosan Oligomers, Custom Derivatives

Heppe Medical Chitosan GmbH is a German specialist offering a broad portfolio of chitosan salts and oligomers for research, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic applications. The company stands out for its ability to provide custom-tailored chitosan derivatives to meet specific customer requirements for molecular weight, degree of deacetylation, and solubility.

Innovation and Sustainability Focus:

• Strong focus on R&D and custom synthesis services

• Comprehensive product range supporting academic and industrial research

Download FREE Sample Report:
Chitin and Chitosan Derivatives Market – View in Detailed Research Report

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6️⃣ 5. FMC Corporation

Headquarters: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
Key Offering: Chitosan-based agricultural products

While FMC Corporation is a major player in agricultural sciences, its involvement in the chitosan market is strategic, focusing on biostimulants and biopesticides derived from chitosan. These products enhance crop resilience and yield, aligning with the global shift towards sustainable agriculture.

Innovation and Sustainability Focus:

• Integration of chitosan into its broader portfolio of crop protection solutions

• Development of formulations that trigger plants’ natural defense mechanisms

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

Headquarters: Zhejiang, China
Key Offering: Industrial Grade Chitosan, Pharmaceutical Excipients

Golden-Shell Pharmaceutical is one of China’s largest manufacturers of chitin and chitosan, with a significant production capacity. The company serves a wide array of industries, from water treatment and food processing to pharmaceuticals, leveraging China’s vast seafood processing industry for raw material sourcing.

Innovation and Sustainability Focus:

• Large-scale, cost-effective production for high-volume applications

• Expanding portfolio of chitosan-based pharmaceutical excipients

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4️⃣ 7. G.T.C. Bio Corporation

Headquarters: Shandong, China
Key Offering: Chitosan, Chitooligosaccharides, Glucosamine Sulfate

G.T.C. Bio Corporation is a prominent Chinese player specializing in the production of chitin, chitosan, and their downstream derivatives like glucosamine. The company has a strong export orientation, supplying bulk quantities to the nutraceutical and functional food industries worldwide.

Innovation and Sustainability Focus:

• Focus on high-volume production of nutraceutical-grade ingredients

• Efficient utilization of crustacean shell waste from aquaculture

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3️⃣ 8. Kunpoong Bio Co., Ltd.

Headquarters: Busan, South Korea
Key Offering: Water-Soluble Chitosan, Low Molecular Weight Chitosan

p>Kunpoong Bio is a leading South Korean company known for its advanced chitin and chitosan processing technologies. It specializes in producing highly refined, water-soluble chitosan derivatives, which are critical for applications in cosmetics, functional foods, and biomedicine where solubility is a key performance factor.

Innovation and Sustainability Focus:

• Expertise in modifying chitosan to improve its solubility and bioavailability

• Strong presence in the high-growth Korean and Asian cosmetic markets

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2️⃣ 9. KYTOSAN USA, LLC

Headquarters: Orem, Utah, USA
Key Offering: Chitosan-based soil amendments and plant growth enhancers

KYTOSAN USA focuses exclusively on the agricultural market, providing chitosan-based products that improve plant health and soil quality. Its solutions are used in organic farming, horticulture, and viticulture to stimulate plant growth and enhance resistance to pathogens.

Innovation and Sustainability Focus:

• Dedicated to sustainable agriculture and organic farming practices

• Products designed to reduce the need for conventional chemical inputs

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1️⃣ 10. Meron Biopolymers

Headquarters: Karnataka, India
Key Offering: Industrial Grade Chitosan, Custom Derivatives

Meron Biopolymers is an emerging Indian company tapping into the country’s growing market for biopolymers. It focuses on producing cost-effective chitosan for water treatment and agro-industrial applications, positioning itself as a key supplier in the South Asian region.

Innovation and Sustainability Focus:

• Leveraging local seafood processing waste for production

• Developing solutions tailored for regional water and agricultural challenges

Read Full Report:
Chitin and Chitosan Derivatives Market – View in Detailed Research Report

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🌍 Outlook: The Future of Chitin and Chitosan is Versatile and Sustainable

The chitin and chitosan derivatives market is undergoing a significant transformation. While traditional applications in water treatment continue to dominate in volume, the industry is experiencing accelerated innovation in high-value sectors like pharmaceuticals, advanced cosmetics, and biodegradable packaging.

📈 Key Trends Shaping the Market:

• Medical Breakthroughs: Increased R&D into chitosan-based wound dressings, drug delivery systems, and tissue engineering scaffolds.

• Cosmetic Efficacy: Growing use of chitosan as a natural film-forming agent, moisturizer, and delivery vehicle for active ingredients in premium skincare.

• Food and Agriculture: Expansion of chitosan applications as a natural food preservative, edible coating, and plant growth stimulant.

• Sustainability Drive: Rising demand for bio-based and biodegradable materials, positioning chitosan as an eco-friendly alternative to synthetic polymers.

Read Full Report:
Chitin and Chitosan Derivatives Market – View in Detailed Research Report

The companies profiled above are not only supplying essential biopolymers—they are at the forefront of developing innovative, sustainable solutions that address some of the world’s most pressing challenges in healthcare, environmental protection, and sustainable agriculture.