UBC chemist finds treasures under the sea

BNN featured research by UBC chemistry professor Mark MacLachlan, who is trying to convert seafood waste like crab and shrimp shells into usable new materials such as iridescent film and bio-plastics.

The chitin extracted from crab shells can be processed to make food wrappers and being a renewable resource could eventually become an alternative to less sustainable options. The challenge is to bring prices down to make it economically viable, MacLachlan said.