Merall Bioproducts operates a circular aquaculture platform centered on marbled crayfish, producing premium protein while upcycling shell waste into high-purity chitin and other bio-based materials for bioplastics. The company’s low-impact farming system integrates food production with biomaterial recovery, transforming an invasive species into a sustainable resource. This dual-output model reduces waste at the source and supports the transition to regenerative industrial practices.
Funding
Funding not disclosed
Founders
Product
Problem
Aquaculture, one of the fastest-growing food sectors, relies heavily on water, feed, and energy, often at the expense of environmental sustainability. Seafood processing generates millions of tonnes of crustacean shell waste annually, most of which is discarded, despite being rich in valuable substances like chitin.
Solution
Merall Bioproducts has developed an advanced aquaculture farming system centered on marbled crayfish, a highly resilient species suited for circular production. The platform yields two high-value outputs: premium crayfish protein and a consistent supply of high-purity substances from side streams. By integrating protein production with biomaterial recovery, Merall transforms shell waste into valuable bio-based materials, significantly reducing waste at the source. This model demonstrates how sustainable food systems and biobased material innovation can work in harmony, supporting the production of bioplastics and other regenerative industrial applications.
Target Audience
Primary customers include sustainable food producers, bioplastics manufacturers, and material science companies seeking reliable sources of bio-based inputs, as well as investors and partners focused on circular economy innovations.
Features
- Low-impact aquaculture system designed around marbled crayfish, a resilient and invasive species repurposed for sustainable farming
- Dual-output model producing premium protein alongside high-purity chitin and other shell-derived biomaterials
- Integrated biorefinery approach that upcycles side streams into inputs for bioplastics production
- Circular economy framework that minimizes waste and resource consumption at the source
- Scalable platform positioned for partnerships across food, materials, and biotech sectors