Chitin and chitosan have already gained a large domestic market in Japan. However, the fact that applications are now emerging in Europe and North America indicates the global scope of the technology is expanding. That provides new opportunities for companies entering this market. Those opportunities will grow as the market grows and more countries become involved with chitin and chitosan research, product development, and application.

The nature of the chitin and chitosan market is such that no single country is likely to possess the raw materials, necessary extraction technology and the market demand for any particular application or set of applications. Major producers of shellfish have the raw material, but may not have developed or acquired the technology for extracting chitin and chitosan. Other countries may possess the necessary technology but may lack the sources of raw material.

APPLICATIONS OF CHITOSAN