Chitosan Suppliers & Manufacturers
Identifiers
Functions
What does available trade activity indicate for Chitosan?
Chitosan is classified under HS Code 3913.90. This falls under Chapter 39: Plastics and articles thereof, specifically Heading 3913 (Natural polymers (e.g. alginic acid) and modified natural polymers (e.g. hardened proteins, chemical derivatives of natural rubber), n.e.c. or included, in primary forms), under subheading: Polymers, natural and modified natural; in primary forms (excluding alginic acid, its salts and esters).
* The data below is specific to the HS code, not the ingredient.
Suppliers
396
Across 40 countries
Shipments
5,092
from 2015 to 2026
Total weight
113.2M kg
10,679 TEU · standard 20-foot container units
Last shipment
6 months ago
Last updated at Feb 25, 2026
Growth
↑ 45%
Trade under 3913.90 has increased by 45% over the past 6 months
What does trade activity suggest about the Chitosan supply chain?
Trade activity under HS 3913.90 shows a large, active supply chain with 396 suppliers and over 5,000 shipments, but this code covers a broad category of natural and modified natural polymers, not chitosan alone. The presence of high-volume shippers like Jungbunzlauer and Novamont indicates significant biopolymer trade, yet their product mix is unverified. For chitosan specifically, the data suggests a fragmented market with many potential suppliers, but the ingredient-specific volume cannot be confirmed. This implies that while sourcing options may appear abundant, further verification is needed to identify true chitosan producers.
What does the HS or HTS classification include, and where are its limits for Chitosan?
HS 3913.90 covers natural polymers and modified natural polymers in primary forms, excluding alginic acid and its derivatives. This includes chitosan but also other resins, gums, and biopolymers, making the classification broad and not exclusive to chitosan. The limits are significant: trade data under this code cannot be used to confirm chitosan-specific volumes, supplier counts, or shipment trends. For research, this means the classification provides a general view of the biopolymer supply chain, but any conclusions about chitosan must be validated through product-level documentation or direct supplier engagement.
Which suppliers are associated with Chitosan trade?
| Supplier | Shipments | Top customer | Growth | Last shipment | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
No suppliers found. | |||||
How concentrated or diversified does the supplier landscape appear for Chitosan?
The supplier landscape appears moderately concentrated, with a few large shippers dominating shipment counts. Jungbunzlauer (Belgium) and Novamont (Italy) account for a substantial share of total shipments, while many smaller suppliers contribute lower volumes. This suggests a mix of major biopolymer producers and niche players. For chitosan, the presence of specialized suppliers like Jiangsu Chitin Biotech and Zhejiang Golden Shell indicates a diversified base, but the overall concentration under the broad HS code may not reflect chitosan-specific market structure. Buyers should assess supplier capabilities directly to identify reliable chitosan sources.
Which supply risks or dependencies around Chitosan require further diligence?
Key supply risks include the lack of ingredient-specific shipment data, which makes it difficult to confirm which suppliers actually handle chitosan versus other biopolymers. The broad HS 3913.90 classification means that high-volume suppliers may not be chitosan producers. Additionally, some suppliers show no recent activity (e.g., Nagase, Meihua Group), indicating potential supply instability. Further diligence should involve direct supplier verification, product specifications, and possibly audits to confirm chitosan manufacturing capabilities and quality. This is critical for formulation and regulatory compliance, as misidentified sources could lead to supply chain disruptions.
Which sourcing geographies and trade lanes appear most relevant to Chitosan?
The most relevant sourcing geographies are Belgium, Italy, China, France, and India, which together account for the majority of shipments and weight under HS 3913.90. Belgium leads with over 2,400 shipments, followed by Italy and China. Trade lanes appear to connect these suppliers to major markets, with notable flows to North America and within Europe. For chitosan, China is a key source given its large supplier count and the presence of chitin/chitosan processors like Jiangsu Chitin Biotech. However, since the classification is broad, these lanes may also represent other biopolymers, so ingredient-specific sourcing requires further verification.
Which countries drive Chitosan trade activity?
By shipment count
Belgium
2,461 shipments
31 suppliers
58.4M kg total weight
Italy
706 shipments
15 suppliers
22.9M kg total weight
China
512 shipments
95 suppliers
13.1M kg total weight
France
407 shipments
34 suppliers
3.5M kg total weight
India
176 shipments
21 suppliers
3.3M kg total weight
Germany
133 shipments
23 suppliers
1M kg total weight
Spain
125 shipments
18 suppliers
1.2M kg total weight
Netherlands
83 shipments
20 suppliers
787.9K kg total weight
Japan
78 shipments
12 suppliers
802.1K kg total weight
Australia
59 shipments
3 suppliers
1.2M kg total weight