United Kingdom Chitosan Market Size, Share, and COVID-19 Impact Analysis, By Source (Shrimps, Prawns, Crabs, Lobsters, Fungi, and Others), By Application (Water Treatment, Cosmetics & Toiletries, Food & Beverage, Healthcare/Medical, Agrochemical, Biotechnology, and Others), and UK Chitosan Market Insights, Industry Trend, Forecasts to 2035

United Kingdom Chitosan Market Size Forecasts to 2035

• The United Kingdom Chitosan Market Size Was Estimated at USD 560.8 Million in 2024
• The UK Chitosan Market Size is Expected to Grow at a CAGR of around 16.11% from 2025 to 2035
• The UK Chitosan Market Size is Expected to Reach USD 2898.5 Million by 2035

According to a Research Report Published by Spherical Insights & Consulting, the UK Chitosan Market Size is anticipated to reach USD 2898.5 million by 2035, growing at a CAGR of 16.11% from 2025 to 2035. The rise is attributed to the rising demand for goods made from natural sources as well as their widespread use in medicinal, cosmetic, and wastewater treatment applications.

Market Overview

The UK chitosan market refers to a biodegradable and non-toxic polysaccharide derived from crustacean shells, which is produced through deacetylation of chitin. It offers strong film-forming, antimicrobial, and metal-binding properties, making it valuable in pharmaceuticals, food preservation, agriculture, and water treatment for applications like wound care, drug delivery, and pollutant removal.  The increasing demand in the UK is due to its diverse applications across multiple industries. The food and beverage sector is a major driver, with chitosan used as a preservative, stabilizer, thickener, and clarifying agent in juices and packaged foods. Its natural antimicrobial, antioxidant, and emulsifying properties also make it ideal for extending food shelf life and replacing synthetic additives. The pharmaceutical sector values chitosan due to its antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, and nutrient encapsulating properties that are useful in the development of functional food and therapeutic products. The interest of environmental agencies and related industries is the increased use of chitosan in water treatment as a heavy metal adsorbent and biomaterial safer than filter paper to remove contaminants. With favorable regulations, excess capacity for raw materials, and the potential for continuous research and development of further purification and efficiencies of chitosan, the commercial possibilities are considerable in the UK for both industrial and health-related applications.

Report Coverage

This research report categorizes the market for the UK chitosan market based on various segments and regions and forecasts revenue growth and analyses trends in each submarket. The report analyses the key growth drivers, opportunities, and challenges influencing the United Kingdom chitosan market. Recent market developments and competitive strategies such as expansion, product launch, development, partnership, merger, and acquisition have been included to draw the competitive landscape in the market. The report strategically identifies and profiles the key market players and analyses their core competencies in each sub-segment of the United Kingdom chitosan market.

Driving Factors

The UK chitosan market is expanding due to its increasing applications in food preservatives, wastewater treatment, and functional foods because of its antibacterial, non-toxic, and biodegradable properties. Also, there is increasing usage in biomedical fields like drug delivery and wound treatment. Market demand is also increasing as companies are developing eco-friendly options and consumers are demanding environmental sustainability and health, which are impacting demands for natural food preservatives and sustainable packaging.

Restraining Factors

The UK chitosan industry is facing restraints on costs due to the high costs of extraction and processing, as the processing involves extensive deacetylation and purification. Further, dependence on shell waste of crustaceans from the seafood industry results in volatility, limited supply, and concerns of sustainability as raw materials, which limits scalability and achievable costs in important applications. These factors hamper the chitosan market during the forecast period.

Market Segmentation

The United Kingdom chitosan market share is classified into source and application.

• The shrimps segment held the largest market share in 2024 and is expected to grow at a significant CAGR during the forecast period.

The United Kingdom chitosan market is segmented by source into shrimps, prawns, crabs, lobsters, fungi, and others. Among these, the shrimps segment held the largest market share in 2024 and is expected to grow at a significant CAGR during the forecast period. The high production and widespread availability, shrimps make them a popular source of high-quality chitosan that is required for many uses, including water treatment, biomedical products; and cosmetics. Excellent industry processes have been developed to allow the extraction of chitosan in a cost-effective and environmentally friendly way, reinforcing the market share.

• The healthcare/medical segment held the highest revenue market share in 2024 and is expected to grow at a significant CAGR during the forecast period.

The United Kingdom chitosan market is segmented by application into water treatment, cosmetics & toiletries, food & beverage, healthcare/medical, agrochemical, biotechnology, and others. Among these, the healthcare/medical segment held the highest revenue market share in 2024 and is expected to grow at a significant CAGR during the forecast period. This is caused by the rising demand for bio-based components in the manufacture of medicines. The requirement for new health care products and a strong capital investment in the pharmaceutical and medical industry are likely to support market growth throughout the forecast period.

Competitive Analysis:

The report offers the appropriate analysis of the key organizations/companies involved within the United Kingdom chitosan market and a comparative evaluation primarily based on their product offering, business overviews, geographic presence, enterprise strategies, segment market share, and SWOT analysis. The report also provides an elaborate analysis focusing on the current news and developments of the companies, which includes product development, innovations, joint ventures, partnerships, mergers & acquisitions, strategic alliances, and others. This allows for the evaluation of the overall competition within the market.

List of Key Companies

• Primex EHF
• CuanTec Ltd
• NBS Biologicals
• Oxford Vitality
• Mystic Moments
• Entoplast Ltd
• Eutrema Ltd
• Heppe Medical Chitosan GmbH
• KitoZyme
• FMC Health and Nutrition
• Dyson
• Others

Recent Development

• In August 2024, CuanTec Ltd launched domestic production of high-grade Chrystal® Chitosan at its Glenrothes facility in Scotland, achieving up to 89% deacetylation and 1,850–2,000 cP viscosity. This UK-manufactured, traceable product supports applications in biomedical, water purification, agriculture, and cosmetics.

Key Target Audience

• Investors
• Market players
• End-users
• Government Authorities
• Consulting and Research Firm
• Venture capitalists
• Value-Added Resellers (VARs)

Market Segment

This study forecasts revenue at United Kingdom, regional, and country levels from 2020 to 2035. Spherical Insights has segmented the United Kingdom chitosan market based on the below-mentioned segments:

United Kingdom Chitosan Market, By Source

• Shrimps
• Prawns
• Crabs
• Lobsters
• Fungi
• Others

United Kingdom Chitosan Market, By Application

• Water Treatment
• Cosmetics & Toiletries
• Food & Beverage
• Healthcare/Medical
• Agrochemical
• Biotechnology
• Others