Background
Startup company, Primex, are extracting chitin (the acetylated form of chitosan/the source biopolymer converted/deacetylated) to produce chitosan (a high –value bioactive high value compound) from shrimp shells that can be used in dietary supplements, nutraceuticals and biomedical applications, a market with a growing demand. Today’s problem is that up to 65% of a shrimp is wasted, despite its suitability for chitosan production, and growing demand from Primex.
This represents a major loss of potential circular value for the Nordic region. Several bottlenecks currently prevent the industry from creating value and reducing their loss.
They are:
- the process for drying, milling and handling shell for chitin and chitosan production has not been developed nor standardised
- the cross-border supply chain is disconnected
- the infrastructure to land, store and process this yield is lacking in some site
there are no cost-effective models of how such a large company can make this change to valorise their secondary yields.
100% shrimp seeks to resolve these challenges through key cross-border Nordic collaborations that will streamline and enable the creation of new circular value & supply chains, activate, and implement that supply chain at scale and finally showcase this Nordic model for fast-tracking seafood companies toward waste reduction and circular value creation.
Nordic added value
Carrying out this project at the Nordic level is crucial to its success and long-term impact, as it brings cross-border added value. It also makes the results of this project more resilient as it provides a diversification of skills, knowledge and market. This project bridges previously disconnected parts of the supply chain. Each Nordic partner brings their own expertise:
- Iceland contributes knowledge in biotech, 100% Fish, and collaboration;
- Denmark focuses on drying, process development, and side stream value
- Greenland adds expertise in fisheries, fish processing, and large-scale operations
- Norway provides subcontracted expertise and research on seafood-based materials
By combining these strengths, the project will accelerate and future-proof the development of the Nordic circular economy and add new value to each country.
