BluExo
New Materials for the Post-Anthropocene
Description
BluExo is a research project aimed at creating two materials based on Blue Crab that can represent a virtuous model of food waste management, where waste is transformed into a valuable resource. The Blue Crab, native to the western coasts of the Atlantic Ocean, is considered one of the most invasive alien species in the Mediterranean. Currently, the most accredited theory suggests that the Blue Crab was accidentally introduced by humans through the dispersion of larvae via the ballast water of ships. In Italy, this species, encouraged by the increase in sea temperatures, has found coasts on which to thrive, causing significant damage to the fishing sector and mussel farming, threatening the biodiversity of marine ecosystems and the safety of bathers. Despite the substantial contributions allocated by the Italian government (2.9 million euros) and attempts to introduce these species in the Mediterranean diet, favorable environmental conditions combined with excellent adaptability have allowed a rapid multiplication of the species, which seems to know no halts. With the effects of global warming and the rise in sea temperatures, it is estimated that by 2050, Italy will have a tropical climate. We will soon face a Mediterranean Sea full of new species and we will have to familiarize with them, this will likely lead to a change in our eating habits. It is correct to ask, right from the start, how we will manage the disposal of the by-products derived from it. The Blue Crab emergency requires a serious and scientific approach to preserve not only marine ecosystems but also to support the fishing sector, which is currently strongly affected, economically, by the phenomenon. It is the designer’s responsibility to imagine new application scenarios to transform food waste from these “alien” species into opportunities. From this project, two lines of materials are born: BluExo paper and BluExo edible skin, used in combination, to help fight overpackaging in the food industry. BluExo paper is a material created from the fluff of recovered paper pulp and Blue Crab powder through mixing, pressing, and drying the compound. The result is a lightweight and durable material that aims to replace expanded materials, such as polystyrene, within the context of the food packaging industry. BluExo edible skin, on the other hand, addresses the theme of preservation and seasoning of raw food. The material is obtained by mixing and drying a compound based on water, vinegar, Blue Crab powder, fish glue, and spices. The sheet material obtained in this way, wrapped around the food product, seals it, thus maintaining preservation and serving as a valuable indicator of the product’s freshness. Through its edible and soluble film, BluExo edible skin, at the time of cooking, dissolves, flavoring the dish and no longer making it necessary the disposal of the packaging. Thanks to this system, food will no longer be in contact with plastic but with a more compatible material that can preserve it and add flavor through a selected range of recipes belonging to the global panorama of culinary culture (chosen recipes from Italian, Asian, and Indian cultures). The Blue Crabs have shown us their ability to adapt, now it’s time to demonstrate ours.
