The sea urchin value chain. From waste to product. An example of circular economy on applications deriving from marine collagen

The aim of the study is to analyse the transition from a linear system to the circular economy, providing an example of reuse of sea urchin waste for the creation of new eco-sustainable products. The goal is to understand which phases companies follow for the harvesting and distribution of sea urchins and how the supply chain could be improved. From a comprehensive literature review, it is provided a framework of all the properties deriving from marine collagen and other inedible parts of the sea urchin. Marine collagen is a valid support for production of biomedical devices, dermal implants, cosmetic and pharmaceutical products. Then, the work discusses the market analysis realized with a questionnaire administered to consumers via web, to collect opinions on the purchase and use of future eco-sustainable products made with sea urchins waste. Nowadays the awareness of buying a certain product is changing and in fact consumers belonging to the middle class are willing to pay more for an eco-sustainable product. Sustainability is therefore becoming a strategic driver for companies and the future key to generating profits.