The business will convert shellfish waste into chitin, a natural, 100% compostable biopolymer. Today, shellfish waste creates serious environmental damage; it is either sent to landfills or incinerated. As a result, this otherwise unused waste stream emits tonnes of damaging CO2 into the environment.

CuanTec uses a novel, unique, and scientifically proven method to process this shellfish waste in an environmentally friendly way. The product is high-quality, ultra-pure chitin. CuanTec’s chitin extraction process uses 66% less electricity than traditional chitin extraction.

Chitin has a wide range of applications in the medicine, cosmetic and food industries, and can be further processed to chitosan which has slightly different properties and, as a result, different additional applications.

CuanTec’s products can also be converted into films and coatings to act as alternatives to fossil-fuel based plastics that are 100% biodegradable and have significantly reduced impacts on the planet. CuanTec’s packaging alternatives are not only superior due to their green credentials, but also have natural antimicrobial properties. This antimicrobial activity helps to prevent and stop unwanted bacterial and fungal growth and can therefore help extend the shelf-life of food.