Fraunhofer IPA Creates Pigments from Crustaceans

Scientist at Fraunhofer IPA and the University of Paderborn in Germany has created a biogenic pigment that they have named “Crusty Pigments” These pigments are made from chitin and other bio-based dyes.
 
Working with Siegwerk Drunkfarben, Fraunhofer found a way to create pigments that are an environmentally harmless alternative to synthetic-colored pigments from the petroleum industry. 
 
Chitin is a waste produced by crab production that is usually disposed of without being recycled. According to the study, chitin can be reused and converted into high-quality raw materials to produce these pigments. 
 
“This is an important first step, now it is important to identify further possible applications or to work them out with suitable partners from the industry. This is the only way we will be able to continue successfully researching the future of ‘Crusty Pigments,’” said Marc Entenmann, head of the pigments and coatings group at Fraunhofer.
 
These crustacea-chitin based color pigments are ideal for applications requiring sensitive printing inks such as food packaging.