Representational image of an oyster.
In Taiwan, discarded oyster shells have been a problem in coastal communities, causing foul odors and attracting pests. But one textile entrepreneur saw an opportunity to turn this waste into a valuable fabric.
As per AFP, Eddie Wang has been using oyster shell waste to make a high-quality fabric called “seawool.” Apart from ground oyster shells, this eco-friendly textile combines recycled plastic bottles.
Each year, Taiwan uses around 200,000 tons of oysters, which are prized for their culinary value. Unfortunately, the discarded shells accumulate in coastal towns such as Yunlin and Changhua, creating unpleasant odors and breeding grounds for mosquitoes.
Recent studies have identified numerous uses for oyster shells, such as water purification, construction material additives, landscaping elements, and soil pH adjustment.
Even several homes in Taiwan use oyster shells for home insulation. They do so by burning the oyster shells and painting the walls with this residue. This works as natural insulation, making the houses more comfortable in both winter and summer.
This sparked his idea to develop a new textile product from this widely available resource.
When this idea came, Wang was already running his company called Creative Tech Textile — founded in 2010. The company initially introduced an “eco-fabric” made from recycled polyester derived from plastic bottles.
He initiated a research project with a research institute in 2013, focusing on the development of fabric from oyster shell residue. This collaboration led to the development of a “formula” to produce a material resembling wool.
Wang’s technique involves grinding discarded oyster shells into tiny particles and combining them with yarn produced from recycled plastic bottles.
The process of making Seawool involves a collaborative effort between farmers, experts, and textile manufacturers. The oyster shells are also calcinated. The calcination process subjects oyster shells to intense heat, resulting in the precipitation of calcium minerals suitable for biomaterials or antimicrobial applications.
“This industry chain cannot be found anywhere else overseas. We have people to harvest oysters, we have specialists to clean oyster shells, and we have people for drying and calcining (treating) shells,” Wang told AFP.
Seawool is not only sustainable but also has unique properties. It’s lightweight, breathable, odorless, and offers protection from UV and far-infrared radiation.
Interestingly, the fabric is both anti-static and machine washable, with a structure remarkably similar to wool.
“It creates a magical yarn. Oyster shell is a material with low thermal conductivity—it does not absorb heat nor does it dissipate heat,” he added.
Wang’s factory annually processes approximately 100 tons of oyster shells to produce around 900 tons of Seawool. The fabric is protected by both trademark and patent.
Interestingly, Seawool fabric and clothing have annual sales of approximately NT$200 million (US$6.1 million). As per AFP, the demand is primarily driven by outdoor and sustainability-conscious clothing brands in Europe and the United States.
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Mrigakshi Dixit Mrigakshi is a science journalist who enjoys writing about space exploration, biology, and technological innovations. Her work has been featured in well-known publications including Nature India, Supercluster, The Weather Channel and Astronomy magazine. If you have pitches in mind, please do not hesitate to email her.
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