Production Upscaling
Europe’s seafood demand is outpacing its supply, with more than 60% of consumption reliant on imports. At the same time, consumers and institutions are shifting toward sustainably sourced and antibiotic-free options, especially in schools, canteens, and retail channels.
With the rise of ESG reporting and green food labels, healthy organic meat solutions like Merall’s are well-positioned for both public and private sector uptake.
Merall is now preparing to scale production from pilot to an industrial, steady-state aquaculture system, with a clear roadmap for modular farm expansion and automated processing. Each new production unit is designed to be rapidly deployable and optimized for recurring revenue from both premium protein and high-value chitin side streams.
Chitin Bioplastics
Global plastic production exceeded 435 million tonnes in 2020 and is projected to rise to 736 million tonnes by 2040 (OECD, 2022). The vast majority of plastics are still derived from fossil fuels, and less than 10 per cent are effectively recycled worldwide. Bioplastics have entered the market as a sustainable alternative, but many still rely on virgin crops, chemical additives, or complex production methods that limit their environmental benefits.
Merall turns chitin from its aquaculture waste streams into fully fossil-free, compostable bio-based polymers. The materials are made only from biological ingredients, contain no synthetic additives, are designed to meet strict European compostability standards, and are developed together with specialist partners and Merall’s polymer R&D team in Singapore.
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The company is now seeking investment and strategic partners to expand production and to secure long-term supply and customer agreements.
Biorefinery Patent
Chitin is one of the most abundant natural polymers on Earth and yet the majority of chitin on the market today is extracted in small batches, using harsh chemicals, including hydrochloric acid and sodium hydroxide, in processes that generate toxic waste and degrade product quality. At the same time, global demand for chitin and its derivatives is growing rapidly across sectors like bioplastics, cosmetics, pharma, and agriculture.
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​Our extraction platform is patent-protected and designed for integration into local seafood and aquaculture waste streams worldwide. Our extraction method preserves the polymer integrity, offering what regulators and customers increasingly ask for: safe, traceable biomaterial, pharmaceutical-grade quality without harsh chemicals, and reliably European-sourced ingredients for next-generation food, med-tech, and packaging applications.
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​The company is now looking for committed partners and funding to roll out its biorefinery process.
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Addional Sidestreams
In addition to chitin, the biorefinery generates three high‑value byproducts with strong potential for future applications:
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Protein extracts which can be processed into animal feed ingredients.
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Amorphous calcium with high bioavailability, which is an important dietary supplement.
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Astaxanthin, a natural and highly potent carotenoid antioxidant that gives cooked crayfish their red color. It is considered one of the most powerful antioxidants and protects cells from oxidative stress and UV radiation.
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We are actively seeking partners interested in exploring opportunities for any of the sidestreams mentioned above.