We developed a sustainable process to transform agricultural waste into cellulose and chitin
CELLULOSE
Natural polymer primarily extracted from trees. It is used in various industrial applications, such as the production of paper and textiles.
CHITIN
Biopolymer extracted from crustacean shells, such as shrimp and crabs; known for its robustness and strength. It finds industrial applications in the production of bioplastics and advanced textiles.
Cellulose
Natural polymer primarily extracted from trees. It is used in various industrial applications, such as the production of paper and textiles.
CHITIN
Biopolymer extracted from crustacean shells, such as shrimp and crabs; known for its robustness and strength. It finds industrial applications in the production of bioplastics and advanced textiles.
CONTEXT-DRIVEN
Agri-food waste
Agri-food waste
171 KG
PER CAPITA agri-food waste generated at European level
Paper
Paper
global water resources used to produce paper
0%
TREES CUT EVERY MINUTE
0
GLOBAL ENERGY RESOURCES FOR PAPER PRODUCTION
0%
150 billion square meters of forest cut every year
Plastic
Plastic
TONS OF PLASTIC IN THE OCEANS EVERY YEAR
0
Global emissions from plastic production
0%
kg OF PLASTIC USED BY A FAMILY EVERY YEAR
0
BY 2030, THERE WILL BE 1T OF PLASTIC FOR EVERY 1T OF FISH
Are there other ways to produce these products?
THE PROCESS
We have devised an innovative process to extract cellulose from agri-food waste, such as beer and coffee, and chitin from shrimp shells using Deep Eutectic Solvents (DES). From these raw materials, it is possible to produce completely green paper and bioplastic.
Our process promotes circular economy practices: traditionally waste is disposed of through incineration, but with us, the waste is valorized.
Moreover, it is possible to reduce both disposal costs and environmental impact: typically, with the traditional method, 20 ppm of CO2 are emitted into the atmosphere, whereas with our process, these emissions are reduced by 70%.
We were aware of the challenge of finding alternative sources of cellulose and devised a process that utilizes DES to extract it from waste rich in this substance