Students worked on a toothpaste prototype during a visit to NIOM

Last week, NIOM hosted 5 students from the student company Aquashine, who are working on the development of a new toothpaste based on crushed Pacific oyster shells.

Pacific oysters are considered an invasive species in Norway. Their shells mainly consist of calcium carbonate (CaCO₃), a material already widely used as a mild abrasive in toothpaste. Aquashine is exploring whether finely ground oyster shells can replace conventional CaCO₃ and at the same time contribute additional naturally occurring minerals.

The students contacted NIOM to obtain professional guidance and access to laboratory facilities. The aim of the visit was to develop an initial toothpaste prototype. While the students brought finely milled oyster shell powder, they previously lacked the necessary ingredients and equipment to formulate and mix the product.

At NIOM, the students received guidance and access to laboratory equipment, including a SpeedMixer that enables efficient and controlled mixing of highly viscous materials. The prototype developed during the visit can be used for further testing, pitching the concept to industry stakeholders and participating in innovation competitions.

NIOM regularly welcomes students and guest users to support learning, innovation and knowledge exchange. The visit from Aquashine illustrates how student-driven entrepreneurship can benefit from access to research infrastructure and scientific expertise.