Bioinspired materials, a manufacturing concept inspired by natural nacre, shrimp carapace or insect cuticles,[32][33][34] has led to development of methods to manufacture large scale consumer objects using chitosan.[35][36] This method is based on replicating the molecular arrangement of chitosan from natural materials into fabrication methods, such as injection molding or mold casting.[37] Once discarded, chitosan-constructed objects are biodegradable and non-toxic.[38] The method is being explored to engineer human organs or tissues using three-dimensional bioprinting.[39][40]
Pigmented chitosan objects can be recycled,[41] with the option of reintroducing or discarding the dye at each recycling step, enabling reuse of the polymer independently of colorants.[42][43] Unlike other plant-based bioplastics (e.g. cellulose, starch), the main natural sources of chitosan are from marine environments and do not compete for land or other human resources.[44][31]
The fabrication of large objects with chitosan applies concepts from Shrilk, a chitosan material that replicates insect cuticle and a fibroin protein from silk for uses in bioengineering.[45][46]