Tilapia skin medical factory development in Brazil

Brazil is preparing to establish the world’s first large-scale factory dedicated to processing tilapia skin for medical use. Located in Jaguaribara, Ceará, the facility represents an initial investment of approximately R$ 52 million and utilizes technology developed by researchers at the Federal University of Ceará (UFC).

The project converts tilapia skin, a fishery byproduct, into biological dressings for treating second and third-degree burns and other difficult-to-heal wounds. The manufacturing process involves freeze-drying and gamma radiation sterilization, which allows the dressings to be stored at room temperature. This capability is intended to facilitate distribution to remote areas, humanitarian disaster sites, or conflict zones, where the material can be rehydrated with saline solution.

Operations are expected to begin in 2028, pending regulatory approval from Anvisa. While initial production estimates suggested a capacity of 4,300 units per day, subsequent details indicate a goal of processing 180,000 skins per month initially, with plans to expand to 400,000 skins per month by the end of the third year. The facility aims to export roughly half of its production to hospital centers across the Americas, Europe, and Asia, with projected annual revenues expected to grow from R$ 58 million to R$ 130 million within the first three years.