A Canadian company focused on creating value from discarded shrimp shells will enhance its equipment with support from the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador.
Shell-Ex will receive $81,600 through the Fisheries Technology and New Opportunities Program to help the company purchase and install a screw press that will remove water and protein from shrimp shells.
“Helping industry maximise the value of provincial shellfish and minimise production waste is a key objective for the Provincial Government,” said Keith Hutchings, Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture. “Our commitment of more than $80,000 will assist Shell-Ex with buying new equipment that will enhance the way they extract chitin, a naturally occurring substance in shellfish that can be used in a range of industrial applications.”
Chitin occurs in shellfish species such as crab and shrimp. With its binding and absorption qualities, it can be used in industrial applications such as waste water treatment, cosmetic production, and medical applications such as wound dressings.
To complete the project, Shell-Ex will seek expertise from an Icelandic company that specialises in chitin extraction.
“Through this project, Shell-Ex is exploring equipment that will give us the throughput and product quality we need to achieve to support employment and economic opportunities for regional workers and the companies that would supply us. I appreciate the support of the Provincial Government, and look forward to completing this project”, said Diane Hollett, CEO of Shell-Ex.
Shell-Ex anticipates its plant in Twillingate will employ six to eight employees once it reaches full production capacity.
