Growing up on Taiwanâs west coast where mollusc farming is popular, Eddie Wang witnessed discarded oyster shells being repurposed for insulation, a concept that ultimately led to the creation of a unique and environmentally friendly fabric called âSeawoolâ. Â
Reminiscing about how the residents of his seaside hometown of Yunlin used discarded oyster shells for insulation by burning and painting the residue on walls, Wang was intrigued by the shellsâ remarkable effects.
Founded in 2010, Wangâs Creative Tech Textile company initially produced an âeco-fabricâ from recycled plastic bottles. However, Wang felt the fabricâs texture was lacking. This led him to collaborate with a research institute to experiment with creating fabric from oyster shell residue, eventually developing a wool-like material in 2013.
Today, his Taiwan-based factory uses approximately 100 tonnes of oyster shells annually to produce around 900 tonnes of Seawool, a patented fabric that generates significant revenue primarily from outdoor and sustainability clothing brands in Europe and the United States.Â
Wang attributes the success of Seawool to Taiwanâs unique oyster farming culture, stating that the entire production chain, from harvesting oysters to processing shells, is exclusive to the island.
â âA magical yarnâ â
âThis industry chain cannot be found anywhere else overseas,â he notes.
Turning discarded oyster shells into Seawool also has ecological benefits, as the shells capture and store carbon dioxide, and the manufacturing process requires minimal water usage, making it a âlow-carbon productâ.
Furthermore, at a nearby state enterprise factory, oyster shells are ground into a powder for use in household items like incense sticks, reducing smoke and toxic emissions.
â From waste to gold â
âWe hope oyster shells can have multiple industrial applications and interested companies can use it as a raw material to make their products more environmentally friendly and add value to their products,â a representative stated.
Overall, by innovatively utilizing discarded oyster shells, Taiwan is transforming waste into valuable resources, breathing new life into sea waste and contributing to a more sustainable and eco-friendly future.Â
aw/dhc/fox