A larger round tile of dense composite in pale oatmeal, evenly speckled with fine crushed shell.

A bio-based composite material made from post-consumer shellfish waste collected from Rhode Island restaurants and aquaculture partners. The three samples together illustrate how species and source location directly determine surface color and texture — no two shell origins produce the same result.

Composition

Calcium carbonate-based

Post-consumer seafood shells (approximately 95 percent calcium carbonate) combined with culinary binding agents. Please note that the composition formulation is patent-pending.

Handling Notes

  • The material sets without heat, requires no industrial chemistry, and captures carbon as it cures
  • No kiln, no synthetic resins
  • Cures at room temperature while actively sequestering CO₂
  • Suitable for architectural applications including wall cladding, tile, and surface panels
  • Can be cast into decorative objects, vessels, and furniture components

Applications in Craft

Keywords

Provenance

Shellf Life, Providence, Rhode Island. Acquired 2026.

In Use

  • Felicia Neuhof — Cast from post-consumer seafood shells, whose species and origin shape the surface texture and colour.

Have you used this material?

Please contact Mellanee Goodman, Program Director, Curator, and Materials Specialist, to start a conversation about submitting your work for inclusion on this site.

mgoodman@centerforcraft.org

Variants