Odisha has achieved another milestone in the field of sustainable innovation with researcher and entrepreneur Siddhartha Pati receiving a prestigious patent for developing an eco-friendly method to extract and convert chitosan from discarded shrimp shells. The patented process turns what was once marine waste and a major environmental burden into high-value bioproducts with vast commercial, pharmaceutical and agricultural applications. Inspired by the Government of India’s Circular Economy and Waste to Wealth missions, Pati’s startup focuses on transforming seafood processing waste into globally viable biopolymers while reducing pollution and promoting sustainability.
The invention plays a crucial role in converting shrimp shell waste into chitin, chitosan and other agricultural biostimulants. Chitosan, a highly versatile and biodegradable biopolymer derived from chitin found in shrimp shells, is already being recognized worldwide for its use in capsule covers for medicines, advanced drug delivery systems and controlled release formulations. Its natural properties make it safe, biocompatible and an ideal component for biomedical applications such as wound dressings, tissue scaffolds, regenerative materials, bone graft substitutes, vaccine delivery platforms, biosensors and more. Beyond healthcare, chitosan is also widely used in water purification, agriculture, cosmetics and various industrial processes, making it a high value sustainable alternative to synthetic materials.
Speaking on this achievement, Pati said that what was previously dumped into landfills or the sea causing severe pollution is now being transformed into eco-friendly raw materials for the global pharmaceutical and biotechnology sectors. He emphasized that the patent is not just an endpoint but a foundation for future innovation. His team is already working on new technologies to further explore the potential of marine-derived biopolymers, with a vision to make India a global hub for bio-based materials and sustainable bioproducts.
The innovation stands as a powerful example of how science and sustainability can go hand in hand. By enhancing marine waste management and promoting circular economy principles, the patented technology showcases how waste to wealth is not just a concept but a successful reality that benefits industry, environment and society at large.
