Regulatory Landscape Assessment of Shellfish Waste
Pennotec commissioned Alder Bioinsights to perform a regulatory review on the use of shellfish waste in the production of speciality chemicals. Pennotec uses a biotechnological process for the extraction of chitin from shellfish waste, replacing existing chemical routes.
Alder Bioinsights carried-out a regulatory landscape assessment for Pennotec as they wished to understand the barriers, if any, linked to the commercialisation of products generated from crab shell waste in the UK. Alder Bioinsights identified the conditions under which an animal by-product (ABP) such as crab shell waste can be used in a commercial process. Furthermore, it was determined how the commercialisation of the marketable shell-derived products would be affected. Alder Bioinsights reviewed relevant UK and EU regulation and legislation applying to the use of ABP, AD and feedstock use. Interviews with waste treatment plants, policy makers and fisheries were carried out to determine whether Pennotec could potentially offer a superior treatment route for shellfish waste in the UK. To complement this piece of work, Alder Bioinsights carried-out market research on Pennotec’s primary process by-products, calcium lactate and asthaxanthin-rich proteins.
“The study has identified several potential partners with fermentation or chemical technologies to produce high value products from mixed sugar feedstock. The work has also allowed Plaxica to rank these products in order of priority, based on commercial attraction (e.g. market value, market size) and technology readiness levels.” Ed Marshall, CEO, Plaxica.