Caco3 Biotech

What Caco3 Biotech does

CaCO₃ Biotech is a Quebec-based biotechnology company that extracts and processes nacre (mother of pearl) from mollusk shell byproducts that would otherwise be sent to landfill. The company sources 100% of its raw material from Quebec shellfish operations — cultivated mussels, oysters, and scallops, and harvested whelks — and applies a proprietary extraction process based on the natural composition of nacre (aragonite calcium carbonate crystals bonded with the protein conchyoline) to produce a usable ingredient and decorative materials. It is described in the available materials as the first company to commercialize nacre products from shellfish shell byproducts in North America.

The company operates a single integrated product line built around that raw material: pure nacre powder for cosmetics and biomaterial formulations, shell granules for aggregate, abrasive, decorative, and floral applications, and decorative shells for crafts, jewelry-making, and aquariology. In 2024 it also launched emerGem™, a sub-brand marketing 'Joyaux de l'Atlantique' finished jewelry manufactured in Quebec from Atlantic marine gems. Commercial activity is conducted through direct inquiry and ordering via the company website, with no disclosed pricing, distributor relationships, or named customer accounts. Recognition includes the Bourse Hermante Ayotte award and CRIBIQ project funding, and media coverage in LaPresse and Evol.

The business model is a direct-to-customer raw-material and finished-goods supplier, targeting cosmetics manufacturers, biomaterials developers, jewelry and craft producers, and floral/decorative professionals — with stated intent to serve as a domestic North American alternative to imported nacre. No revenue, headcount, management team, or institutional funding data is disclosed in the available sources, so financial scale and ownership structure remain unverified.

Name

Caco3 Biotech

Legal name

CaCO₃ Biotech

Website

https://caco3biotech.ca

Company type

Private

Founded year

2021

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

CaCO₃ Biotech is a Quebec-based biotech company that extracts pure nacre powder, shell granules, and decorative shells from Quebec mollusk shell byproducts for use in cosmetics, biomaterials, jewelry, and decorative applications, including its emerGem™ jewelry sub-brand.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Marine Biomaterials

NAICS

Seafood Product Preparation and Packaging (31171)

SIC

Abrasive, Asbestos & Misc Nonmetallic Mineral Prods (3290), Food And Kindred Products (2000)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYCRADAOAD

Hydrocolloids, Thickeners & Gelling Agents (Pectin, Xanthan, Carrageenan, Gelatin)

Consumer Products & Retail/Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG) Manufacturing & Brands/CPG Ingredients, Flavorings & Additives Brands

Keywords

• Nacre powder production
• Shell byproduct valorization
• Marine biomaterials
• Natural cosmetic ingredients
• Circular economy biotechnology

Headquarters

HQ city

Gaspé

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Technology or R&D

Distribution channels1 record

Core offering

CaCO₃ Biotech extracts and processes nacre (mother of pearl) from mollusk shells discarded by the Quebec seafood industry, producing pure nacre powder for cosmetics and biomaterials, shell granules for industrial and decorative use, and decorative shells for crafts and jewelry. The company also operates an emerGem™ sub-brand that designs and manufactures marine jewelry called 'Joyaux de l'Atlantique' from unique Atlantic marine gems.

Product overview

CaCO₃ Biotech is a Quebec-based biotech company pioneering the valorization of mollusk shell byproducts and nacre culture in North America. The company operates as a single unified product line centered on shellfish-derived nacre and shell materials, offering three core product categories: pure nacre powder for cosmetics and biomaterials, shell granules for industrial applications, and decorative shells for crafts. The company also operates a sub-brand called emerGem™ for its Joyaux de l'Atlantique jewelry line, featuring unique marine gems from the Atlantic region.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• emerGem™: Marine jewelry brand featuring 'Joyaux de l'Atlantique' - unique Atlantic marine gems designed and manufactured in Quebec. Website: https://emergem.ca/

Products and services

• Poudre de nacre pure (Pure Nacre Powder) Natural nacre powder ingredient derived from shellfish shell valorization, suitable for integration into cosmetics, biomaterials, jewelry, and art objects. Targeted at cosmetics manufacturers, biomaterials developers, and artisans.
• Granulat de coquillages (Shell Granules) Natural shell granules that can be used as aggregate, abrasive material, in decoration, or for floral arrangements. Targeted at industrial users, decoration professionals, and florists.
• Coquillages décoratifs (Decorative Shells) Decorative shell objects designed for use in crafts, jewelry making, and aquariology, available whole or in pieces. Targeted at artisans, jewelers, and aquariology specialists.
• Joyaux de l'Atlantique (Atlantic Jewels) under emerGem™ Unique marine jewelry line under the emerGem™ sub-brand, showcasing Atlantic Canada's exclusive marine gems designed and manufactured in Quebec. Targeted at jewelry consumers and gift buyers.

Quantifiable outcome

• Diversion of marine byproducts from landfill disposal

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Emerging players

• Notpla: UK-based company making seaweed-derived bioplastic packaging and edible films. Comparable to CaCO₃ Biotech as a marine-sourced sustainable materials venture, but focused on packaging applications rather than cosmetics or biomaterials ingredients.
• Mara Renewables: Canadian company producing microalgae-based ingredients for nutrition, personal care, and sustainable materials. Comparable as a Canadian marine-derived ingredient supplier, with overlapping end markets in cosmetics and biomaterials but a different feedstock (algae vs. mollusk shells).
• Oceanium: UK-based company valorizing sustainable seaweed into ingredients for food, personal care, and materials applications. Comparable as a marine byproduct/biomass valorization venture with overlapping cosmetic ingredient ambitions, though focused on seaweed rather than mollusk shells.

Broad incumbents

• Marinova: Australia-based established producer of marine polyphenol extracts (fucoidan) for nutraceuticals and cosmetics. Comparable to CaCO₃ Biotech as a marine-sourced specialty ingredient supplier for cosmetics and personal care, but at a larger, more diversified scale and broader product portfolio.

Direct peers

• Biova: US-based company producing marine-derived ingredients (including from aquaculture byproducts) for personal care, nutrition, and animal health markets. Comparable to CaCO₃ Biotech as a developer of natural marine-sourced specialty ingredients sold into cosmetics and consumer health applications.
• Shellworks: UK-based startup that converts shellfish waste (crustacean and mollusk shells) into bioplastic materials. Directly comparable to CaCO₃ Biotech in its focus on marine byproduct valorization into higher-value specialty materials, though Shellworks targets packaging rather than cosmetics ingredients.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses3 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights5 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/caco3-biotech

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Caco3 Biotech