Shrimp shells hold promise as oil-free alternative for plastic carrier bags

The project, being led by Dr Nicola Everitt (pictured below) at Nottingham University alongside researchers at Nile University in Egypt, is aimed at developing an alternative to oil-based plastics for use in packaging.

By developing the biopolymer bags, the researchers hope to help reduce the significant waste problem in Egypt, as well as producing a new food packaging material to extend the shelf life of products in countries including Britain.

“Only around 50 to 60 per cent of Egypt’s waste is actually collected, and the rest lies around in plastic bags at the end of the street and by the roadside,” said Everitt.

To develop the bags, the researchers are investigating the use of chitosan, a man-made polymer derived from the organic compound chitin, which is extracted from the shrimp shells. Shrimp shells are themselves part of Egypt’s waste problem.

Chitosan is a promising biodegradable polymer, which is already used in pharmaceutical packaging due to its antimicrobial, antibacterial and biocompatible properties.