kitozyme
KitoZyme is a Belgian manufacturer of pharmaceutical-grade fungal chitosan and chitin-glucan ingredients extracted from Aspergillus niger, supplying B2B customers across consumer healthcare, cosmetics, agriculture, and winemaking in approximately 30 countries.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2000
- HeadquartersHerstal, Belgium
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What kitozyme does
KitoZyme S.A. is a Belgian biopolymer manufacturer founded in December 2000 and headquartered in Herstal, Belgium, with 11-50 employees. The company specializes in extracting and commercializing fungal chitosan and chitin-glucan from Aspergillus niger mycelium, a co-product stream from industrial citric acid production. Its proprietary process yields pharmaceutical-grade, vegan, non-GMO, halal, kosher, and gluten-free biopolymers with antimicrobial, chelation, film-forming, and prebiotic properties, manufactured under ISO 13485 quality systems.
The company operates a B2B ingredients model, supplying these biopolymers to brand owners and formulators across four verticals: consumer healthcare (weight management via KiOslim and digestive health), cosmetics (KiOsmetine), agriculture (KitoGreen for biocontrol and biostimulants), and oenology (KiOfine). Products are marketed through vertical-specific sub-brands, including KiOnutrime for nutritional applications and KiOtransine for delivery systems. Revenue is generated through ingredient sales, private-label finished products (KiOslim, Gastrap Direct), and technology licensing/royalty arrangements, with distribution executed via channel partners spanning approximately 30 countries across Europe, North America, South America, Oceania, and Africa. Two wholly-owned subsidiaries, KiOmed Pharma (joint-health medical devices, spun off 2014) and BiOkuris (intestinal-disease medical nutrition, spun off 2021), extend the chitosan platform into adjacent regulated verticals.
kitozyme firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- kitozyme
- Legal name
- KitoZyme S.A.
- Website
- https://kitozyme.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2000
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- KitoZyme is a Belgian manufacturer of pharmaceutical-grade fungal chitosan and chitin-glucan ingredients extracted from Aspergillus niger, supplying B2B customers across consumer healthcare, cosmetics, agriculture, and winemaking in approximately 30 countries.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
kitozyme industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Specialty Biopolymer Ingredients
- NAICS
- Plastics Materials and Basic Forms and Shapes Merchant Wholesalers (42461)
- SIC
- Food And Kindred Products (2000)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Hydrocolloids, Thickeners & Gelling Agents (Pectin, Xanthan, Carrageenan, Gelatin) (CRADAOAD)
Keywords
Where kitozyme is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Herstal
- HQ country
- Belgium
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
kitozyme business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Ingredient Sales: B2B sales of fungal chitosan and chitin-glucan ingredients to manufacturers in healthcare, cosmetics, agriculture, and food & beverage industries. Products sold under proprietary brand names (KiOsmetine, KiOnutrime, KiOfine, KitoGreen) or as private label formulations.
- Finished Consumer Products: Sales of branded finished products including KiOslim weight management supplement, Gastrap Direct medical device for digestive health, available under own brands or private label arrangements.
- Technology Licensing: Exclusive licensing arrangements for specific applications such as the Janssen PMP partnership for post-harvest preservation technology and DPH Biologicals for U.S. agricultural applications.
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels6 records
kitozyme product offering
Product offeringCore offering
KitoZyme manufactures and markets fungal-origin chitosan and chitin-glucan biopolymers extracted from Aspergillus niger mycelium, selling these as ingredients under industry-specific sub-brands to enterprise manufacturers in consumer healthcare, cosmetics & personal care, agriculture, and winemaking. The company also markets finished consumer health products (KiOslim® weight management supplement, Gastrap® Direct medical device) under its own brand and via private label arrangements, reaching approximately 30 countries with 500K+ finished products sold annually and 200M+ bottles treated annually in winemaking applications.
Product overview
KitoZyme is a manufacturer and supplier of fungal-origin biopolymers, operating as a B2B ingredients company. The portfolio centers on two core ingredients—Fungal Chitosan and Fungal Chitin-Glucan—extracted from Aspergillus niger. These ingredients are marketed across multiple industry-specific sub-brands: KiOsmetine® (cosmetics/personal care), KiOnutrime® CsG and KiOslim® (weight management), KitoGreen® product line (agriculture), KiOfine® (winemaking), KiOtransine® and Gastrap® Direct (digestive health). The company also operates subsidiaries KiOmed Pharma (joint health) and BiOkuris (chronic intestinal diseases). Products are sold as ingredients for B2B formulation or as finished consumer health products.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- KiOsmetine: Patented range of non-animal chitosan for cosmetics and personal care, including hair care, skin care, color cosmetics, deodorant, and oral care. Includes KiOsmetine CsG for Hair Care, KiOsmetine P for Oral Care, and KiOsmetine Lumina for Skin care & Styling.
- KiOnutrime
- KiOslim
- KiOfine
- KiOtransine
- Gastrap Direct
- KitoGreen
Products and services
- Fungal Chitosan Patented vegetal chitosan biopolymer extracted from Aspergillus niger fungal source (non-animal, non-GMO) with antimicrobial, immune activation, anti-inflammatory, and chelation properties. Sold as a B2B ingredient to manufacturers in healthcare, cosmetics, agriculture, and winemaking. FDA-GRAS certified and manufactured under ISO 13485.
- Fungal Chitin-Glucan Complex tridimensional biopolymer combining chitin and beta (1,3) glucan extracted from fungal cell walls. Classified as FDA-GRAS and EU Novel Food. Sold to manufacturers for prebiotic applications and digestive health products.
- KiOsmetine® Patented range of non-animal chitosan ingredients for cosmetics and personal care. Includes KiOsmetine CsG for hair care, KiOsmetine P for oral care, and KiOsmetine Lumina for skin care and styling. Eco-certified by ECOCERT GREENLIFE and COSMOS compliant. Targets cosmetics brand owners and personal care manufacturers needing vegan, non-allergenic film-forming and antimicrobial ingredients.
- KiOnutrime® CsG Clinically proven vegan chitosan fat binder ingredient for weight management. Binds dietary fats efficiently, reduces caloric absorption, and contributes to cholesterol control. GRAS certified in USA. Sold as a B2B ingredient to nutraceutical and supplement manufacturers.
- KiOslim® Natural fat binder food supplement for weight management, sold as a finished B2C product. Reduces appetite, prevents excessive eating and cravings, binds dietary fat, and reduces carbohydrate absorption. 88% user satisfaction rate and 40% better results than diet alone in user studies.
- KitoGreen® World's first vegetal chitosan for agriculture. EPA-approved biopesticide and EU-approved Basic Substance for plant protection. Activates natural plant defense mechanisms against fungal threats (Botrytis, mildew), promotes plant health and stress tolerance, and reduces the need for chemical pesticides. Approved for organic agriculture across all 27 EU countries.
- KitoGreen Master EPA-approved fungicide based on patented fungal chitosan. Offers fungicidal applications, biostimulant properties, and adjuvant uses for sustainable agriculture.
- KitoGreen Prevent Biocontrol product for crop protection based on fungal chitosan technology, used preventatively to activate plant defense mechanisms.
- KitoGreen Extend Product based on fungal chitosan technology designed to extend the shelf life of crops, supporting sustainable agriculture and post-harvest preservation.
- ChitoNox FC Sustainably-sourced chitosan seed treatment technology developed with DPH Biologicals. Provides biological crop protection against nematodes and soil-borne diseases. First EPA-registered sustainably-sourced chitosan seed treatment for U.S. growers.
- KiOfine® Range of non-animal fungal chitosan and chitin-glucan ingredients for winemaking. Authorized by the OIV (International Organization of Vine and Wines). Provides tools for microbiological control (Brettanomyces), sulfite reduction, anti-oxidation, clarification, fining, and heavy metal chelation. Distributed via Lallemand Group and ICV partnerships.
- KiOtransine® Prebiotic fiber derived from chitin-glucan that restores intestinal microbiota, supports digestive health, and improves transit. Produces short-chain fatty acids including butyrate and propionate. Sold as a B2B ingredient to nutraceutical and supplement manufacturers.
- Gastrap® Direct Medical device Class IIa combining chitin-glucan with simethicone. Used for relief of gas-related symptoms, regularization of intestinal transit, and normalization of intestinal function. 67% of IBS patients reported significant abdominal pain reduction and 93% rated tolerability as good or very good in clinical studies.
Quantifiable outcome
- Chitosan supplementation resulted in 3.10 kg mean weight loss over 90 days in clinical trial
- +5 more outcomes
Companies that use kitozyme
Customer profileSegments4 records
Ideal customer profiles5 records
kitozyme technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature5 records
kitozyme partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- DPH BiologicalscoreStrategic partnership to develop and commercialize ChitoNox FC, the first sustainably-sourced chitosan seed treatment technology for U.S. growers. The product offers biological crop protection against nematodes and soil-borne diseases, based on KitoZyme's EPA-registered KitoGreen technology. Commercially available for 2025 crop season.
- PhyteuropcoreCommercial partnership making Phyteurop the distributor in France for KitoZyme's fungal chitosan for foliar applications. Phyteurop, a major plant protection products player in France with cooperative ownership model, will distribute PLEIONE brand product starting 2024, primarily for vineyard applications against downy mildew and powdery mildew.
- Janssen PMP (Janssen Pharmaceutica NV / Johnson & Johnson)coreExclusive Collaboration Agreement to evaluate and develop KitoZyme technologies for post-harvest use on fresh produce globally. KitoZyme granted Janssen PMP exclusive right to evaluate chitosan technologies for post-harvest storage preservation of fruits and vegetables. Leverages Janssen PMP's 50+ years of experience in post-harvest treatments.
- Lallemand GroupminorGlobal cooperation for winemaking applications. Products delivered under Lallemand's trademarks for distribution to winemakers globally.
- ICV (Institut Coopératif du Vin)minorCooperation with ICV for winemaking applications in France. ICV distributes KiOfine B brand in South of France for Brettanomyces population control.
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves8 records
Expansion highlights7 records
kitozyme competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Qingdao Yunzhou Biochemistry Co., Ltd. Chinese manufacturer of chitosan and chitin derivatives for industrial and food applications. Comparable as a large-scale chitosan producer competing in the same global market, typically at lower price points.
- Heppe Medical Chitosan GmbH: German manufacturer of chitosan for medical, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic applications. Directly comparable as a specialty chitosan producer serving overlapping B2B customer segments.
- Lallemand Inc. Canadian yeast and bacteria specialist with significant oenology business. Functions as both a channel partner and a peer, supplying microbiological control and processing aids to the same winemaking customers KitoZyme serves with KiOfine.
- Primex EHF: Iceland-based chitosan manufacturer producing from shrimp shell sources for nutraceutical, cosmetic, and food applications. Comparable as an established chitosan producer identified as a key player in the same market research as KitoZyme.
- Golden-Shell Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. Chinese chitosan and chitin-glucan manufacturer serving nutraceutical, food, and cosmetic customers. Identified alongside KitoZyme as a key player in the global chitosan market, with significant scale advantage.
- DPH Biologicals: U.S. biological crop protection company and KitoZyme's partner on ChitoNox FC seed treatment. Comparable as a peer operating in the same agricultural biocontrol/biostimulant market, with potential overlap as products expand.
Broad incumbents
- Corbion NV: Dutch sustainable ingredients company with operations in food preservation, anti-microbials, and algae-based biopolymers. Comparable as a fermentation-derived biopolymer producer with overlap in food protection and sustainable ingredient markets.
- Croda International plc: Global specialty ingredients company supplying personal care, health, and crop protection markets. Comparable as a broad incumbent that supplies comparable ingredient categories (cosmetics actives, agricultural biosolutions) with much greater scale.
- Novamont S.p.A. Italian producer of bio-based and biodegradable materials from renewable sources. Comparable as a biopolymer manufacturer with broader product portfolio and well-established position in sustainable materials, partly overlapping with KitoZyme's biopolymer platform.
Emerging players
- ChitoLytic AB: Sweden-based chitosan specialist focused on industrial and life-science applications. Comparable as an emerging specialty chitosan producer serving research and industrial customers, with smaller scale than KitoZyme.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
kitozyme social profiles
Digital presencekitozyme compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance7 records
kitozyme financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
kitozyme leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles6 records
kitozyme subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries2 records
kitozyme funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds1 record
Investors1 record
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
kitozyme M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about kitozyme
What does kitozyme do?
KitoZyme manufactures and markets fungal-origin chitosan and chitin-glucan biopolymers extracted from Aspergillus niger mycelium, selling these as ingredients under industry-specific sub-brands to enterprise manufacturers in consumer healthcare, cosmetics & personal care, agriculture, and winemaking. The company also markets finished consumer health products (KiOslim® weight management supplement, Gastrap® Direct medical device) under its own brand and via private label arrangements, reaching approximately 30 countries with 500K+ finished products sold annually and 200M+ bottles treated annually in winemaking applications.
Is kitozyme a public or private company?
kitozyme is a private company. It is classified as venture growth investor backed and is currently operating.
When was kitozyme founded?
kitozyme was founded in 2000. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is kitozyme based?
kitozyme is headquartered in Herstal, Belgium, in the Europe region.
How does kitozyme make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Ingredient Sales are the primary driver. The others are finished Consumer Products and technology Licensing.
Who are kitozyme's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Qingdao Yunzhou Biochemistry Co., Ltd., Heppe Medical Chitosan GmbH, Lallemand Inc., Primex EHF, Golden-Shell Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. and DPH Biologicals. Broad incumbents are Corbion NV, Croda International plc and Novamont S.p.A.. ChitoLytic AB is listed as an emerging player.
Does kitozyme have an API?
No public API is recorded for kitozyme.
What industry is kitozyme in?
kitozyme's product category is Specialty Biopolymer Ingredients. Its primary akta.pro industry code is CRADAOAD, Hydrocolloids, Thickeners & Gelling Agents (Pectin, Xanthan, Carrageenan, Gelatin). Its NAICS code is 42461 and its SIC code is 2000.