How is glucosamine extracted from shellfish? The complete industrial process
                                
                                
                                •
                                
                                
                        
                                    
                                    4 min read                                
                            
                                Approximately 6–8 million tons of crustacean shell waste are produced annually worldwide, a significant portion of which is composed of chitin, the polymer precursor to glucosamine. Industrial manufacturers convert this abundant byproduct into a popular dietary supplement through a multi-stage process to extract glucosamine from shellfish.