Plastic wrap alternative made from shellfish waste

Unsplash by Elle Hughes

The material has the potential to biodegrade within 90 days and could be composted at home

Spotted: Scottish biotech firm CuanTec is planning to replace plastic food wrappers with a biodegradable material extracted from shellfish waste. The material is made out of a natural biopolymer derived from fermenting shellfish remains.

The fermentation process, which resembles that of alcohol or yogurt, gives rise to a natural biopolymer called Chitin. Chitin is then transformed into a more malleable material known as Chitosan, which is used to make the clear food wrapper.

While the product is still in the research stage, it has the potential to biodegrade within 90 days and could be composted at home. Waitrose supermarkets have already shown interest and may use the new packaging to be used for wrapping fish. 

Springwise has spotted other innovations aimed at reducing plastic wrapping, including an invisible, edible film.