Seashells turn into suits and nail polish in Japan's green push

Apparel and cosmetics makers give oyster and scallop shells a second life

20240917N oyster shell suit

Aoyama Trading has debuted women's suits made of textiles containing oyster shells. (Photo by Takumi Sasaki) 

TAKUMI SASAKI, Nikkei staff writer

TOKYO -- Discarded oysters, scallops and other mollusk shells are getting a second life as materials for apparel and cosmetics in Japan, where they previously were used for fertilizers.

Apparel maker Aoyama Trading debuted in the spring women's suits made of a material that contains oyster shells called Sea Wool.

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