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Kykloris

Investment areas

  • Water / Oceans
  • Manufacturing
  • Materials
  • Climate
  • Food / Agriculture
  • Natural Resources
Founders & Leadership
Hande Ilhan
Jeff Roshko
Headquarters
Arlington, MA

Transforming seafood shell waste into high-value materials for next-generation applications.

The Tough Tech problem we are solving

Each year, millions of tons of crustacean shells from seafood processing are discarded as waste, despite being rich in valuable biopolymers such as chitin. This underused resource represents both an environmental challenge and an opportunity: the seafood industry generates significant organic waste, while global demand for sustainable, bio-based materials continues to grow. Traditional methods for extracting and processing these materials rely on harsh chemicals and energy-intensive processes, creating barriers to circular, low-impact manufacturing. Kykloris is addressing this disconnect by transforming what is typically waste into a scalable, sustainable feedstock for the next generation of biomaterials.

About our solution

Kykloris develops advanced methods to convert crustacean shell waste into high-performance, environmentally friendly biopolymers. By focusing on efficiency, scalability, and environmental stewardship, the company creates circular material solutions that can replace petroleum-based plastics in a range of applications—from packaging to textiles to specialty coatings. Kykloris partners with businesses and innovators committed to sustainability, helping them integrate renewable, biodegradable materials into their products and supply chains. In doing so, the company is not only reducing waste and emissions but also demonstrating how thoughtful materials science can enable industry-wide transition toward a more regenerative, climate-resilient future.