The global fish market is continually growing, with world fish production reaching a historic high of 171 million tons in 2016.¹

However, this expansion comes with significant waste: according to the FAO, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, waste in developed countries can reach 9-15% of the catch.²

Among these wastes, many come from crustaceans, mainly due to the inedibility of their shells. Yet, these contain a precious but undervalued resource: chitin, the second most abundant natural biomass after cellulose.³

Chitin and its derivative chitosan are used in numerous sectors, from cosmetics to medicine, from the food industry to wastewater treatment, and agriculture.³ However, in Italy, these compounds are mostly imported from abroad, especially from Asian countries.

Given the crucial importance of the fish market to our country’s economy, not utilizing local fish waste both as an economic opportunity and to promote environmental sustainability represents a missed opportunity.

BioChiCa: from fish waste to resource

BioChiCa, a startup from Marche, has specialized in obtaining bioactive molecules such as chitin and chitosan by valorizing waste biomass, such as by-products from the fishing sector and aquatic biomasses.

The initiative originates from the “ENABLING” project, within the European Union’s Horizon 2020 program, which aims to support the development of the circular bioeconomy through the industrial valorization of biomass for the production of low-environmental-impact Biobased Products.

With the resources and support received, BioChiCa’s goal is to create and accelerate a local market for the purchase and sale of Chemical Building Blocks with subsequent applications in strategic sectors. In particular, through in-depth studies and collaborations with other national and European entities, the startup aims to achieve large-scale production of chitin and chitosan in Italy, fostering the local sustainable supply chain and reducing imports.

BioChiCa and blue crabs

A virtuous example of BioChiCa’s valorization work is related to the blue crab (Callinectes sapidus), a species native to North and South America that has become invasive in the coastal areas of the Mediterranean Sea, including Italy.⁴

Recently, this crab has been rediscovered as a valuable gastronomic resource. From its production waste, BioChiCa is able to obtain useful and sustainable resources, addressing an environmental problem and turning it into an opportunity.

State of the art

BioChiCa has already established collaborations to use the bioactive molecules in the agriculture sector, where they contribute to the creation of bio-pesticides. At the same time, the company continues to explore the environmental capabilities of its compounds, such as the absorption of microplastics, heavy metals, and organic pollutants, aiming at water purification. Looking to the future, BioChiCa aims to explore new applications of chitin and chitosan not only in the nutraceutical and pharmaceutical fields but also in the production of materials for eco-design and bio-architecture.

BioChiCa joins the Bio4Dreams Ecosystem

Recently, the startup BioChiCa joined the Bio4Dreams ecosystem with the start of a personalized incubation path. An entry that aligns with the incubator’s growing interest in circular bioeconomy themes.

Additionally, Bio4Dreams is supporting BioChiCa in activities related to WINBLUE: a European project aimed at accelerating women’s empowerment in the blue economy, facilitating their participation in five sectors focused on the conservation and sustainable use of aquatic resources.

Updates

February 2024

🏆 BioChiCa won the Trieste stage of the national BioInvestIT roadshow, the new annual investment forum dedicated to the circular bioeconomy, thus gaining access to the Investor Arena Meeting.

Bibliografia

📗 Learn more about BioChiCa and other entities in our portfolio.