Scallop Shells Used to Prevent Sick House Syndrome

JAY Chafflose Corporation was established in Wakkanai, Hokkaido, northern Japan on April 1, 2003, to promote the recycling of scallop shells. This new company is the first outcome of efforts made by JAY Cluster Association, a joint body of government, academia and industry, to promote zero emissions, or zero waste, from the shells remaining after scallop production, and to develop new fisheries industries.

Research by JAY Cluster Association proved that making ceramics by grinding and calcinating scallop shells results in lower emissions of toxic chemical substances and carbon dioxide, and the material that results is insect-proof and has anti-bacteria characteristics. JAY Chafflose plans to develop building materials to fight the sick house syndrome (illnesses caused by toxic substances used in building materials) and antimicrobial agents which are harmless to human cells. It is thought that this ceramic will also have applications in the disposal of animal waste from dairy and livestock farms.

The company plans to construct a factory by the end of March 2005 for grinding, baking and manufacturing ceramics made from local scallop shells, and to start operations the following month.

Currently about 200,000 tonnes of scallop shells are discarded each year around Hokkaido, accounting for 40 percent of the total industrial waste from the local fisheries industry. The Souya region, where company is located, accounts for 50,000 tonnes of that total. Only 40 percent of the total is currently reused for oyster culture, recycled into feed for chickens, or as a soil improver, so the industry has been looking for new approaches to process and use the shells effectively.




Posted: 2003/09/27 11:51:50 AM
Japanese version