Decameal Has Raised Seed Capital To Scale Its Crab-Based Protein
Edited by Adam Harrie — May 11, 2026 — Eco
This article was written with the assistance of AI.
References: eu-startups
Decameal is a Danish FoodTech startup that developed a patent-pending process to convert invasive European shore crabs into crab-based protein and lipid ingredients for the feed sector, featuring protein flour and protein concentrate aimed at poultry, aquaculture, and pet food. The Grindsted-based company raised a Seed round led by Delphinus Venture Capital and Rockstart, alongside strategic co-investor Aller Aqua, to support pilot production and scaling.
Its small-scale coastal fisheries sourcing and extraction workflow also includes development of chitin and chitosan from shells for higher-value markets, and the team operates pilot production in Grindsted alongside laboratories at Agro Food Park in Aarhus.
The approach turns an ecological nuisance into an alternative feed ingredient to soy and fishmeal, offering a circular supply model that could reduce pressure on traditional protein sources while creating local value for coastal fisheries.
Image Credit: Shutterstock/Panchenko Vladimir
Its small-scale coastal fisheries sourcing and extraction workflow also includes development of chitin and chitosan from shells for higher-value markets, and the team operates pilot production in Grindsted alongside laboratories at Agro Food Park in Aarhus.
The approach turns an ecological nuisance into an alternative feed ingredient to soy and fishmeal, offering a circular supply model that could reduce pressure on traditional protein sources while creating local value for coastal fisheries.
Image Credit: Shutterstock/Panchenko Vladimir
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Trend Themes
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Invasive Species Valorization — Repurposing invasive shore crabs into feed ingredients creates a low-cost biomass stream that could redefine raw material sourcing for protein production.
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Circular Feed Ingredients — A model that converts coastal fishery waste into protein flour and concentrate signals a move toward closed-loop supply chains that reduce reliance on soy and wild-caught fishmeal.
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Marine-derived Functional Additives — Extraction of chitin and chitosan from crab shells points to high-value co-product opportunities that integrate material science with feed and biomaterial markets.
Industry Implications
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Poultry Feed — Locally produced crab-based proteins present an alternative ingredient capable of altering cost structures and sustainability claims within poultry nutrition.
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Aquaculture — Formulations incorporating crab-derived protein and lipids offer potential to reduce dependence on traditional fishmeal while supporting regional feed circularity.
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Pet Food — Novel marine protein concentrates could enable premium pet food lines emphasizing traceable, upcycled seafood ingredients and differentiated nutrient profiles.
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