A new sustainable product has just been launched in Sweden, and it’s good news for both your plants and the Baltic Sea. Ecopelag and Grobruket AB have joined forces to create Kustgården Havsmineral, a natural plant nutrient made from recyclable nutrients and mussel shells. This new circular product connects healthy gardens with a healthier Baltic Sea.
Many garden and agricultural soils are too acidic, making it harder for plants to absorb nutrients like nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. Experiments documented in our deliverable 3.3 showed that mussel shells are highly effective as a soil amendment. Their soluble calcium carbonate helps raise soil pH and neutralise acidity, an advantage for most plants, since it makes key nutrients more available. Fertilisers containing mussel shells performed on par with commercial products, proving that the same shells from mussels that once cleaned the sea can now power growth on land.
The mussel shells used to create Kustgården Havsmineral are a by-product of the making of Sjötugg, Ecopelag´s pet snack product line. Grown in the Baltic Sea, the mussels absorb excess nutrients from the water, helping to mitigate eutrophication and improving water quality. After making the pet treats, the leftover shells and meat are then taken up by Grobruket, ensuring nothing goes to waste and turning by-products into value. Packed in compostable bags, the final product closes the loop, bringing circularity to both sea and soil.
By turning mussel by-products into plant nutrients, Ecopelag and Grobruket are showing how innovation and circular thinking can strengthen both ecosystems and local economies.
For now, this product is only available in Sweden. Click here to check it out!
