Ted Browne’s (De Brún Iasc Teo) was established in 1984 as a shellfish processor. The company employs 60 full-time and seasonal staff and is based at a state of the art factory in Dingle, Co. Kerry, Ireland. Crab and prawn are the main shellfish processed while Ted Browne’s is also famous for its Smoked Salmon.

Since 2002 Ted Browne’s has been using the waste from its prawn and crab production to produce an organic chitin rich compost.

The company has built a purpose-designed composting facility where the waste is mixed with tree bark. The compost is allowed two years to fully mature.

As crab and prawn wastes consist of 10-15% chitin, Ted Browne’s Compost can be used as a natural bio-pesticide. Chitin derived from crab and prawn shells can be used to control and reduce problems caused be parasitic nematodes and fungal diseases in amenity horticulture. Along with its disease suppression capabilities it is ideal for growing turfgrass sod from seed in sand. If needed, the sod may then be transplanted for use on golf courses, sport pitches or landscaping.