(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Every day, the seafood processing industry in Ca Mau generates large quantities of shrimp heads and shells during processing operations. In the past, these by-products were largely treated as waste, increasing production costs and posing potential environmental risks. However, thanks to advanced processing technologies, materials once considered waste are now being transformed into high-value products, creating a circular economy model within the seafood industry.
Recognizing the growing trend toward sustainable development, Vietnam Food Joint Stock Company, located in Hoa Trung Industrial Park, Luong The Tran Commune, invested in modern processing technology in 2019 to unlock the value of shrimp by-products. Through advanced extraction processes, shrimp heads and shells are converted into chitin, a key raw material used to produce chitosan, a biopolymer with a wide range of industrial and commercial applications.
From chitosan, the company has developed various product lines serving agriculture, aquaculture, and environmental industries. These organic products are used to improve soil quality, support crop growth, treat water in aquaculture systems, and produce a variety of other high-value biological products. As a result, shrimp processing by-products are not only fully utilized but have also become an important link in a sustainable green production chain.
According to Mr. Quan Hong Thin, Deputy Director of Vietnam Food Joint Stock Company, shrimp heads and shells account for nearly half of the total raw material weight. Each year, the company collects between 30,000 and 40,000 metric tons of shrimp by-products from Ca Mau and neighboring provinces for processing at its factory. Reusing these materials significantly reduces waste generation while creating additional revenue streams from high-value-added products.
The company’s innovative efforts in by-product processing have earned numerous prestigious domestic and international awards and certifications. This success not only demonstrates the potential of deep-processing technologies but also opens up new opportunities to transform by-products into valuable resources, enhance production value, and contribute to the development of a modern, environmentally friendly circular economy.