Balikpapan - Crab shells are usually discarded after the meat is processed. But what if this waste could be transformed into a value-added food product? This idea is explored by students of Institut Teknologi Kalimantan (ITK) through BRACO, a concept that processes crab shell waste into crab-flavored seasoning powder.

BRACO was developed by Group 9 MSD I under the supervision of Muhammad Iqra Prasetya, S.Si., M.Si. The idea emerged from the potential of Balikpapan’s fisheries sector, which also generates crab shell waste that has not yet been fully utilized.

Based on the team’s study, crab shell waste in Balikpapan is estimated to reach around 5 tons per month, with potential raw material sources including the Manggar, Kariangau, and Teritip areas. If left unmanaged, this organic waste may contribute to environmental problems, particularly in coastal areas.

How Can Crab Shells Be Turned into Seasoning Powder?

Through BRACO, crab shells are not consumed directly. Instead, they are designed to undergo a hygienic processing stage before being transformed into a powdered seasoning product.

This concept changes the way crab shells are viewed—from waste into a potential raw material with added value. In addition to reducing waste accumulation, the product is also envisioned as a local commodity that could be further developed by micro, small, and medium enterprises.

BRACO applies the principle of a circular economy, in which production residues are reused and returned to the economic cycle as new products.

So, Is It Safe to Consume?

Although BRACO has potential as a food product, its safety cannot be determined solely from the processing concept or economic feasibility study. Food products made from crab by-products still require further testing before they can be declared safe for consumption and developed commercially.

Such testing is important to ensure that the production process meets food safety standards, including controls for microbial contamination and heavy metals. In Indonesia, BPOM regulates the maximum limits of microbial contamination in processed foods through BPOM Regulation No. 3 of 2026, while heavy metal contamination limits are regulated under BPOM Regulation No. 9 of 2022.

Therefore, BRACO is currently more appropriately positioned as an innovation concept and product development study with potential to advance into further stages, including food safety testing, process refinement, and regulatory compliance before wider commercialization.

Turning an Environmental Problem into an Economic Opportunity

The team did not stop at the product concept. They also conducted a feasibility study to assess BRACO’s economic potential.

The analysis showed a Net Present Value (NPV) of IDR 38,854,774, an Internal Rate of Return (IRR) of 51 percent, and an estimated payback period of approximately six months.

Based on these calculations, BRACO shows potential for further development as a business opportunity. However, these findings remain part of a feasibility study and should be followed by product testing and validation at the next stage of development.

The concept also offers potential impacts in three areas. From an environmental perspective, utilizing crab shells may help reduce organic waste and coastal pollution. From an economic perspective, it could create new products and income opportunities for local MSMEs. From a social perspective, further development may support local skills development and create employment opportunities.

BRACO is also aligned with several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 8 on Decent Work and Economic Growth, SDG 9 on Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure, SDG 12 on Responsible Consumption and Production, and SDG 14 on Life Below Water.

Through this idea, ITK students demonstrate that innovation can begin with challenges found in everyday life. Crab shells that were once considered waste may hold potential as a value-added resource, while opening opportunities for further research into processing technology, food safety, and production feasibility.

From the coastal areas of Balikpapan, BRACO carries a simple message: waste does not always have to end up as garbage with the right innovation, it can become a new source of value for both the environment and the community.