Shrimp Shell Biorefinery Plant: Country’s first shrimp shell biorefinery plant, blue economy will be strengthened

Do you know that shrimp shell, which is also called Shrimp Shell, which was considered useless till now, can become a means of earning crores and improving the environment? Longshore Technologies Private Limited has done this in Maharashtra. India’s first Shrimp Shell Biorefinery Plant has been established here, which presents a unique example of making valuable products from waste.

Do you know that shrimp shell, which is also called Shrimp Shell, which was considered useless till now, can become a means of earning crores and improving the environment? Longshore Technologies Private Limited has done this in Maharashtra. India’s first Shrimp Shell Biorefinery Plant has been established here, which presents a unique example of making valuable products from waste.

The technical support for this initiative is provided by ICAR-Central Institute of Fisheries Technology (ICAR-CIFT), Kochi. This project not only gives a new direction to the industry but also strengthens India’s ‘blue economy’.

The journey of extracting treasure from shrimp waste

The shrimp industry produces thousands of tons of waste every year. This waste not only occupies space but also harms the environment. But, ICAR-CIFT found a way to change this. Dr. George Ninan, Director, ICAR-CIFT, says that we have shown how synergy between scientific research and industry can provide sustainable solutions.

Valuable products made from shrimp waste

In this biorefinery plant, products like chitin, chitosan, and protein hydrolysate are made from shrimp shell.

1. Chitin and chitosan: These are in great demand in agriculture, pharmaceuticals and cosmetics.

2. Protein hydrolysate: These are used in animal feed and nutrition products.

These products are in great demand in the Indian and global markets. And all this is a waste that no one had seen till now.

Success Story: Contribution of Ameya Naik

In 2020, Ameya Naik, a graduate of EDII, Gujarat, recognized the power of shrimp shell waste. He partnered with ICAR-CIFT and put it into practice. Scientists at ICAR-CIFT helped him develop an eco-friendly technology to convert shrimp waste into products like chitin and chitosan.

Technology Innovation and Circular Economy

ICAR-CIFT has developed a technology to extract products from shrimp shells that is safe for the environment. This technology presents a great example of Circular Economy by reusing shrimp processing waste. This plant with a capacity to process 400 tonnes of shrimp waste every year is expected to generate a turnover of Rs 25 lakh.

Contribution of Scientists and Team

From 2022 to 2023, Dr. Bindu J. And the team of scientists led by Dr. Ilavarasan K. worked tirelessly. They made the process of making products from shrimp waste successful at the pilot level. During this, they also collaborated with MPEDA and other industry partners.

Benefits for employment and environment

This project not only reduced environmental waste, but also increased employment opportunities. Currently 7 people are working in this plant. This number may increase further in the future.