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Maine Firm Creating Bandages Made With Lobster Shells

By Tom Bell, The Associated Press
PORTLAND, Maine - A startup company in Maine is developing a children's bandage coated with a substance extracted from crushed lobster shells.

The Portland-based company, Lobster Tough LLC, wants to use lobster shells to produce chitosan, a compound that promotes blood-clotting and is resistant to bacterial infection. An Icelandic processor is now testing the feasibility of using Maine lobster shells to manufacture chitosan. Company officials say those tests are promising. Chitosan is normally produced using shrimp shells.

Patrick Arnold, an investor, says Maine is known for its pristine environment and sustainable lobster industry. He said that Maine brand will help sell the bandages, which will feature cartoon images of lobsters.

Arnold said the company hopes the bandages will be sold in the United States in 2017.