Valorization of mollusc culture shells attracted by a local and circular approach by ENEA

The project aims to transform shell waste from mussel and clam farming in the Goro Lagoon from an environmental problem into a valuable local resource by developing sustainable, circular and higher-value end-of-life solutions. Today, shells are mostly treated as waste or low-value animal by-products, often ending up in landfills or being discarded at sea, where they accumulate and obstruct canals. Building on a detailed regulatory, technical and economic analysis of current practices, the initiative seeks to enable their classification as by-products under Italian legislation, opening the door to upcycling pathways that exploit their high calcium carbonate content for industrial or biotechnological applications. Activities include assessing current disposal scenarios, evaluating the feasibility of cleaner processing needed to meet by-product requirements, identifying high-value uses, and comparing environmental impacts through Life Cycle Assessment. Expected benefits include reduced waste volumes and disposal costs, improved marine ecosystem conditions, and new circular-economy opportunities for local aquaculture businesses - effects that could be replicated in other regions. Potential obstacles relate to technology for cleaning shells, regulatory approval processes, and initial investment costs; these can be addressed through targeted stakeholder engagement, coordinated work within the regional by-product governance framework, and technical support from research institutions. The partnership follows a quintuple-helix model, involving mussel farmers and cooperatives, ARPAE for environmental oversight, and ENEA and the University of Bologna for technological feasibility and environmental assessments, with synergies expected with regional and international projects such as ECOSISTER, B-BLUE and PRISMA MED.