In industrial food production in Germany, the processing of eggs produces large quantities of eggshells, which to date have only been insufficiently utilised and instead have to be disposed of at a cost.

The project focuses on the customised processing and modification of eggshell waste into a valuable raw material that can be used as a multifunctional additive and filler in the plastics industry.

This not only reduces the total amount of waste and the disposal costs of the manufacturing companies, but also the raw material requirements for conventionally mined calcium carbonate. In addition, the use of eggshells as a raw material opens up a new sales market for the industry.

The processed eggshell powder (ESP) is to be investigated and used as a biogenic nucleating agent and additive with a UV-stabilising effect, depending on its particle properties. It can also be used as a filler in plastics to improve the CO2 balance of the material.

Important core elements of the project are

• firstly, the development of a disinfection strategy for the antimicrobial preservation of the eggshell for transport and
• secondly, the process development for drying, grinding and separating the membrane.

The processed eggshell powder is to be incorporated into both bio-based and fossil-based plastics for the production of innovative thermoplastic eggshell compounds (TEC). The aim is to use the TEC to produce so-called eggshell consumer products such as egg cups or transport and storage boxes for eggs.

The sustainability of the powder and the new plastic will also be analysed by means of a life cycle assessment of the eggshell powder and the thermoplastic eggshell compounds. Investigations into the recyclability of the materials will provide information on their recyclability.

• Project title: Tec4Egg - Technology development for the high-quality utilisation of eggshell residues as a multifunctional additive
• Project partners: abc advanced biomass concepts GmbH, Verpoorten GmbH & Co. KG, Jäckering Research GmbH
• Funding: Project Management Jülich
• Sponsorship: Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF)
• Project management: Prof. Dr.-Ing. Andrea Siebert-Raths
• Project realization: Jan Kuckuck, M. Sc.
• Funding code: 031B1311
• Duration: 01.10.2024 bis 31.03.2027

Jan Kuckuck, M. Sc., jan.kuckuck@hs-hannover.de