TSC oyster shell biomaterial factory is the first in Taiwan to recycle discarded oyster shells and further transform them into valuable resources. The factory is one out of many circular achievements of TSC, setting benchmarks of circular agriculture, and also connecting Taiwan to global trends of zero emissions. TSC uses recycling technology to transform abandoned oyster shells on Taiwan's west coast into high-value materials. It reduces environmental pollutions and exploitation of mineral resources to help Taiwan reach the goal of 2050 net-zero emissions.
"We invest NT$170 million to construct this factory and it was officially put into operation in 2021," TSC said. The factory is the first oyster shell processing plant certified by ISO9001, ISO45001, and BS8001. It is expected to process 50,000 tons of oyster shells and produce 40,000 tons of CaCO3 each year. The CaCO3 can be further utilized in a wide variety of agricultural, industrial, and medical applications. TSC turns discarded oyster shells into multi-faceted and high-value green materials to help improve environment and grow the local economy.
The plant followed the green buildings standards in the early design phase. In order to save energy, reduce carbon dioxide, and protect the environment, the factory adopts dried oyster shells (with no leaking fluid and offensive odors), natural gas (cleaner power generation), and keeps average calcining temperature at 300°C. Activated carbon deodorization and high-precision dust collectors are used in production processes to prevent dust and odor leakage. It truly demonstrates the circular economy in business practice.
"Calcined oyster shells can be produced in various particle sizes based on market demand," TSC pointed out. The initial applications of oyster shell powder is in agriculture, such as fertilizers and feed. In order to increase its product value, TSC cooperates with industrial experts and academic researchers to broaden its industrial applications. Formosa antibacterial plastics, slurries in 3D printing, wood-plastic composites, handmade soaps, cat litter have been developed. Coating materials, thermal insulation materials, biodegradable plastics, and filter materials are under development and testing.
"The domestic supply of CaCO3 is primarily extracted from imported limestone and mining," TSC addressed, adding that through turning waste oyster shells into valuable resources, TSC alleviates the exploitation and shortage of mineral resources, and also improves environmental conditions, oyster farmers' incomes and the local economy. The action of Taiwan's 2050 net zero emissions is accelerating, making the net-zero goal more achievable.
TSC News Contact Person:
Cheng Wei-jen
Spokesman of Biotechnology Business Division, TSC
Contact Number: 886-5-264-9775 ext.102 / 886-935-587-119
Email: a63105@taisugar.com.tw
Chang Mu-jung
Public Relations, Department of Secretariat, TSC
Contact Number: 886-6-337-8819 / 886-920-636-951
Email: a63449@taisugar.com.tw
