In 2024, an estimated 171 trillion plastic particles (weighing 2.3 million tons) are floating in the world’s oceans. Researchers at the University of Southern California (USC) Viterbi School of Engineering have developed a groundbreaking plastic substitute from minerals in seashells, offering hope for reducing the environmental toll of traditional plastics. This new substance is biodegradable, biocompatible, and made to safely break down in marine environments. It is generated from calcium carbonate, which is present in seashells. Under the leadership of Dr. Eun Ji Chung, this study represents a major advancement in environmentally friendly production and has the potential to revolutionize sectors that depend on single-use plastics.
The Problem with Plastic Pollution
Plastic pollution is a global crisis, with 80% of marine pollution stemming from plastic waste, according to UNESCO. Annually, 8–10 million metric tons of plastic enter oceans, harming wildlife and impacting the human food chain. In 2024, research found microplastics in 99% of globally sampled fish, highlighting the issue’s scale. Conventional plastics have persisted for centuries, with single-use items like beverage rings and straws being particularly problematic. The COVID-19 pandemic increased reliance on disposable items, compounding waste, as noted by Dr. Chung from USC, who highlighted the heavy use of single-use plastics in her lab. This observation inspired her to explore a plastic substitute from minerals in seashells, leveraging her expertise in biomaterials to address this pressing challenge.
The Science Behind the Seashell Solution
The USC team has developed a new material called POC-CC, which combines calcium carbonate (95-98% of seashells) with poly (1,8-octanediol-co-citrate) (POC), an FDA-approved biodegradable polymer. Seashells, created by mollusks, serve as an ideal model for durable yet degradable materials. The production involves mixing the citric acid polymer with calcium carbonate and heating it to create a plastic-like material. A 2025 study in MRS Communications found POC-CC strong enough for industrial use, such as beverage rings. It is also biocompatible, degrading in the ocean without releasing toxins or microplastics, and passed tests with no harm to marine microorganisms after six months in simulated seawater.
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Why Calcium Carbonate?
Calcium carbonate is abundant and naturally occurring in marine environments, making it an environmentally friendly choice for a plastic substitute from minerals in seashells. The global calcium carbonate market was valued at $60.76 billion in 2024, driven by its use in industries like construction and pharmaceuticals. In seashells, calcium carbonate forms through biomineralization, where mollusks secrete proteins and minerals to build protective shells. This natural process inspired Chung’s team to repurpose waste seashells, such as those from oysters and scallops, into a sustainable resource.
Using waste seashells addresses another environmental issue: aquaculture waste. Global fisheries and aquaculture production in 2022 surged to 223.2 million tonnes, a 4.4 percent increase from 2020, generating significant shell waste. By sourcing calcium carbonate from discarded shells, the USC approach could reduce landfill waste while creating a circular economy. The team’s prototype soda can rings, made from POC-CC, demonstrated robustness comparable to traditional plastic, proving that this plastic substitute from minerals in seashells can meet practical demands.
Testing and Validation
The USC team carried out thorough testing to guarantee POC-CC’s feasibility. To maximize strength and breakdown rates, they manufactured the material using different calcium carbonate concentrations. POC-CC prototypes were immersed in simulated ocean water for six months in a 2025 experiment, during which time they decomposed without changing the pH of the water or endangering marine life. This is crucial because when conventional plastics break down, they generate acidic byproducts that disturb marine ecosystems. According to UN News research, 75% of coral reefs are threatened by ocean acidification, highlighting the need for materials like POC-CC to prevent these effects.
The material’s mechanical properties were also tested. POC-CC beverage rings performed similarly to petroleum-based polymers in supporting the weight of six 12-ounce soda cans. In contrast to traditional plastics, which take 450 years to break down, POC-CC starts to break down in seawater in a matter of months, providing a major environmental benefit. In order to speed up degradation while preserving toughness, the team is now improving the material. In addition to beverage rings, it might be used in environmentally friendly packaging and straws.
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Broader Implications for Sustainability
There are broad ramifications when minerals found in seashells are used to create a plastic alternative. POC-CC could reduce medical waste in the healthcare industry by taking the place of single-use plastics in sterile equipment. The global medical plastics market, valued at $50.8 billion in 2024, relies heavily on disposable items, making this innovation timely. Additionally, the material’s biocompatibility opens doors for greener manufacturing in industries like packaging and consumer goods.
With funding from a 2025 USC Sea Grant, the USC initiative focuses on sustainable innovation along metropolitan coastlines. China, Vietnam, the Philippines, Indonesia, and Thailand are the five nations that contribute 60% of the plastic debris found in the world’s seas, according to a new Ocean Conservancy research titled Stemming the Tide. This material could lessen dependency on fossil fuels, which were responsible for 99% of plastic manufacturing in 2024, by taking the place of petroleum-based plastics.
Challenges and Future Directions
POC-CC production scalability presents difficulties despite its potential. Strong supply networks are necessary to source enough seashell trash, and it takes a lot of energy to turn calcium carbonate into a homogeneous substance. To make shell gathering more efficient, the team is looking into joint ventures with the aquaculture sector. Even though POC-CC decomposes faster than traditional plastics, the exact rate varies based on the climate. The aim of current research is to optimize degradation rates for specific applications.
In the future, Chung’s lab intends to apply POC-CC to more commonplace goods. As the need for sustainable materials continues to expand, the worldwide bioplastics market is expected to reach $16.8 billion by 2025. USC researchers aim to gain market share by establishing POC-CC as a competitive alternative, which will encourage industry adoption. Collaborations with manufacturers could accelerate commercialization, making this plastic substitute from minerals in seashells a household reality.
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A Step Toward a Greener Future
In an effort to combat plastic pollution, the USC Viterbi School of Engineering has developed a plastic substitute from minerals in seashells. This technology satisfies industrial and environmental criteria by producing calcium carbonate from leftover seashells. With 23.8 million tons of seafood waste produced annually and plastics accounting for 80% of marine pollution, POC-CC solutions are fundamental. By transforming the production and disposal of plastic, Dr. Chung’s vision of biomaterials might promote sustainability and protect marine environments, highlighting the potential of biomaterials in a more ecologically friendly future.
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