EUBCE 2026 - Ehiaze EHIMEN - Economic Viability of Oyster Shell Wastes Utilisation for the Production of Solid Surface Countertops

Economic Viability of Oyster Shell Wastes Utilisation for the Production of Solid Surface Countertops

Short Introductive summary

The aquaculture sector in Ireland and the EU produces substantial quantities of oyster shell waste, which is mostly disposed of, or scarcely repurposed as low-quality agricultural lime. This represents an underutilised resource that can be employed for high-value uses. This study offers a techno-economic and feasibility evaluation of the transformation of oyster shell waste into solid surface composite countertops, serving as a sustainable alternative to traditional mineral-filled surfaces commonly used in the construction sector. The research combined process design, life-cycle analysis, and financial modelling approaches to assess the technical performance, economic feasibility, and environmental advantages of the use of mechano-chemical valorisation methods for oyster wastes. The main findings from the paper indicate a potential replacement of up to 60 wt% of traditional mineral fillers used in conventional counter-top production in Ireland with oyster shell powder any without potential detriment to surface smoothness, colour uniformity, or mechanical strength. Reduction in the embodied carbon, as well as similar energetic production requirements were observed.

E.A. Ehimen, Atlantic Technological University, Sligo, IRELAND
M.Z. Chowdhury, Atlantic Technological University, Sligo, IRELAND