Superior Chitin from Aquaculture Waste

Every year, more than 7 million tonnes of shellfish by-products are thrown away worldwide, and this volume keeps increasing. At the same time, most of the chitin that is recovered is still produced in small, chemical-intensive methods that rely on harsh acids and bases, creating toxic waste streams.

This can break down the natural chitin structure, lower molecular weight, and leave unwanted residues, which reduces its strength, purity and performance in high-value applications.

Circular Plastics from Shell Waste

Merall produces biobased polymer materials using chitin extracted from our aquaculture waste streams. By combining chitin with other renewable bio-based polymers, we create fully fossil-free, compostable plastics that are suitable for molded and injected applications.

Key features of our materials:

Made entirely from biological resources
Free from synthetic additives and toxic residues
Designed to support compostability and meet European standards
Co-developed with expert partners and our polymer R&D team in Singapore

This approach turns unused shell biomass into high performance materials, avoiding the need for food crops or petroleum inputs.

Aligned with EU and Global Policy

The European Green Deal and the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation aim to ensure that all packaging in the EU is reusable or recyclable by 2030. These initiatives are driving strong demand for biobased and compostable alternatives.

The global bioplastics market is projected to grow beyond 40 billion US dollars by 2032, as legislation, industry pressure, and consumer awareness all converge (European Bioplastics, 2023).

Merall’s materials are suitable for:

Molded products like cutlery, straws, and trays
Sustainable packaging in food, cosmetics, and health sectors
Brands seeking fossil free, transparent material solutions

We have already validated our materials through pilot production, and our technology is ready to scale or license to partners worldwide.

Plastics Reinvented at the Source

Merall’s bioplastics do not just solve a disposal problem. They begin with waste and convert it into useful, circular materials. By integrating protein farming and material development, we create a system where one biomass delivers several valuable outputs.

This is a local, clean, and adaptable model for truly sustainable plastics.