UAE scientists turn shrimp waste into powerful carbon capture material

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🗞️ Driving the news: Scientists at the University of Sharjah in the UAE have developed a method to transform shrimp waste into activated carbon capable of capturing carbon dioxide (CO₂), offering a dual solution to seafood waste and climate change
• The research, led by Dr. Haif Al-Jomard, shows that the carbon material derived from shrimp shells and intestines exhibits strong CO₂ adsorption and reusability, with results published in the journal Nanoscale

🔭 The context: Shellfish processing generates up to 8 million tonnes of waste annually, much of which ends up in landfills or pollutes marine ecosystems
• At the same time, the demand for low-cost, high-performance materials for carbon capture is increasing, particularly in hard-to-abate sectors like cement and steel
• Activated carbon, typically produced from biomass or fossil-based sources, plays a critical role in carbon capture, purification, and filtration technologies

🌍 Why it matters for the planet: This innovation aligns with circular economy principles by repurposing biological waste into a high-value climate solution
• It offers a scalable, low-cost carbon capture material suitable for industrial use, potentially easing pressure on conventional carbon sorbent supply chains
• Broader adoption of such bio-based materials could reduce the environmental footprint of both waste management and carbon mitigation strategies

⏭️ What's next: The research team is expected to explore pilot-scale production and industrial applications, particularly within the UAE’s CCUS framework
• Given the material’s versatility, future development may expand into water treatment, air purification, and other environmental technologies
• Further validation across multiple carbon-emitting sectors will determine commercial viability and deployment potential

💬 One quote: “Our study turns shrimp waste into a high-performance carbon product,” said Dr. Haif Al-Jomard, highlighting the dual benefit of waste reduction and CO₂ removal

📈 One stat: Up to 8 million tonnes of shellfish waste are generated globally each year — offering a substantial resource for sustainable carbon material production

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