Aqua farmers now can fetch good money from shrimp shells which can be used for manufacturing bio-plastic products. Scientists have discovered that shrimp shells can be used for manufacturing quickly degradable plastic bottles.
New technology“Researchers of Harvard University have produced an alternative to plastic, which is polluting the environment. This bio-plastic can be made from shells of shrimp,” according to Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA), Vijayawada Regional Centre, Deputy Director (Aquaculture) S. Kandan says.
Speaking to The Hindu on Friday, Mr. Kandan said that scientists of Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering had discovered a bio-plastic which would reduce environmental pollution.
Bottles and other plastic material made of bio-plastics would be as strong as the regular plastic products.
Eco-friendly“The bio-plastic can be made from Chitin, a vital component of shrimp shell. Despite being sturdy, the products decompose quickly when exposed to moisture. However, scientists suggest that bio-plastic material can be coated with bee-wax to slow the degradation,” says Dr. Kandan.
The research would definitely reduce the impact of conventional plastic on the environment.
Prawn shells can be used for manufacturing plastic bottles which are used for packaged drinking water, glasses, tea and ice cream cups and plates which are used during marriages and other functions, he says.
“Use of prawn shells for bio-plastic is not known to us. The government should focus on the by-products of shrimp,” said B. Siva Kumar, an aqua farmer from Nagayalanka mandal.
