China Biochemical Pharmaceutical Industry Association, in2026year4month7day after tomorrow9On the 1st, the '6th China Sugar industry Assembly' was held in Cangzhou, Hebei Province. The conference invited academicians, industry experts, corporate representatives, clinical experts, and heads of regulatory authorities to participate, aiming to create a high-end exchange platform integrating 'industry, academia, research, application, management, investment', and to promote the coordinated integration and sustainable development of the industrial chain. Frost & SullivanfrostSullivan,hereinafter referred to asWang Peng, Consulting Director of Frost & Sullivan's Healthcare Business Unit in China, was invited to attend and deliver a speech.
Wang Peng pointed out in his speech that hyaluronic acidhyaluronic acidicabbreviationHAHyaluronic acid, also known as HA, is an indispensable high molecular polysaccharide within living organisms. Its molecular structure mainly consists ofN-Acetylglucosamine as well asD-Glucuronic acid is composed of two monomers connected alternately. Hyaluronic acid is widely distributed in the human body, especially concentrated in the vitreous body of the eye, joints, umbilical cord, skin, and other areas. Wang Peng also emphasized that molecular weight is an important parameter for hyaluronic acid. Hyaluronic acid raw materials can be prepared through animal tissue extraction or microbial fermentation methods. The molecular weight of hyaluronic acid obtained through animal tissue extraction is generally between200 kDa - 2,000 kDaBetween them, while microbial fermentation can obtain molecules with a molecular weight greater than2,000 kDaHyaluronic acid can also be obtained with a molecular weight less than200 kDaHyaluronic acid.
From the perspective of industrial structure, China's hyaluronic acid industry has developed rapidly and has entered the ranks of global hyaluronic acid industry powers. China is the world's largest producer and seller of hyaluronic acid raw materials.2020The total sales volume of hyaluronic acid raw materials in China accounted for81.6%The sales volume of hyaluronic acid raw materials in China2016year301.0tons grew to2020year490.0tons, with an annual compound growth rate reaching13.0%In the medical aesthetics injection terminal product market, hyaluronic acid has maintained rapid growth with its long-established safety profile. The retail market for hyaluronic acid injections in China has shifted from2018year139RMB 10 billion, an increase of2023year335RMB 10 billion, with a compound annual growth rate of19.2%With more products approved, changing social concepts, and enhanced consumer education, the retail market for hyaluronic acid in China is expected to continue with21.1%The growth rate remained positive, up to2027In [year], the market scale is expected to reach722RMB 10 billion.
Wang Peng specifically pointed out that although from2025Looking at the annual and semi-annual reports, major Chinese hyaluronic acid companies have all experienced varying degrees of revenue decline. However, hyaluronic acid, as one of the medical beauty injection products with the longest global application history and the widest range of uses, has long been fully verified for its safety and efficacy by the market and consumers. According to the International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ISAPS) data,2024The global hyaluronic acid injection project exceeded630Ten thousand cases, accounting for all non-surgical medical aesthetics projects30.9%relatively2023Year-on-year growth5.2%This data indicates that hyaluronic acid injections still have significant growth potential.
Regarding high-end hyaluronic acid products, Wang Peng emphasized that high-end hyaluronic acid has gone beyond mere 'filling' to achieve superior biocompatibility, durability, and safety. The aim is to provide higher compliance and safety standards compared to mid- to low-end hyaluronic acid products through refined applications, as well as superior clinical effects and durability. The core dimensions of high-end hyaluronic acid products are reflected in: higher compliance and safety, more unique physical and chemical properties and core technologies, more precise adaptation and positioning, and superior clinical effects and durability. In terms of long-term maintenance, they differ from conventional products.6 - 8The maintenance time for [a certain period]. With its advanced technology, high-end hyaluronic acid can usually achieve longer clinical effects. Cross-linking technology is the 'chip' that determines the performance of hyaluronic acid and is also the core barrier distinguishing high-end from ordinary products. The industry is constantly seeing the emergence of technologies such as linear cross-linking,3DMore advanced technologies such as cross-linking and micro-cross-linking. High-end product lines usually have a richer product matrix, developing exclusive models with unique physical and chemical properties to achieve precise “tailor-made” treatment. At the same time, it is necessary to obtainNMPAUnited StatesFDAEuropeCE/MDRWith authoritative certification endorsement and robust large-scale, long-term clinical trial data support. The high-end hyaluronic acid has achieved a dual leap in effectiveness and reputation from among numerous products through technological breakthroughs and brand positioning.
In terms of development trends, Wang Peng stated that driven by various factors, the hyaluronic acid industry is showing a development trend towards high purity, branding, cross-border applications, and compound formulations. China has a vast market both in hyaluronic acid raw materials and end products. With more products being approved, changes in social concepts, and enhanced consumer education, the industry will continue to maintain rapid growth.
