In the next five years, a multimillion-dollar project should be launched to establish the first processing pipeline using new technology. The project should be supported by governments of nations rich in shell waste, and executed by researchers with complementary expertise, covering catalysis, materials science and engineering, food science and life-cycle assessment. Companies — including producers and traders of shellfish, those associated with biocommodities and biomaterials and others promoting renewable materials — should reassess the potential markets of an environmentally friendly and profitable waste-shell refinery and engage with research to commercialize emerging technologies.