The production of chicken eggs on an industrial level leads to a considerable quantity of shell residue,
which is considered as a waste or is used as a complement in agriculture. In general, egg shells are
considered to have no economic value, even though they are rich in minerals and amino acids that could
form the basis of several industries. In this study, information was reviewed on the technological
potential for usage of the minerals and protein membranes of the egg shells. Possible applications range
from low investment processes such as fertilizer and animal feed to high investment for transforming as
the material for human consumption, absorption of heavy metals, paper treatment, catalysts for biodiesel
production, production of hydrolyzed or concentrated protein, bone and dental implants. The last
applications need large investments but can provide more valuable products. Based on this literature
review, process alternatives and their estimated environmental impacts are considered as a preliminary
study with a view to the development of industrial plants, which can use egg shell residues, in order to
add value by using these materials in environmentally safe ways. In general, all processes suggested in
this paper present high environmental and economic benefits.