
The global water crisis has reached critical proportions, demanding innovative approaches to ensure safe, sustainable, and equitable access to clean water. The upcoming Asset Management Plan Period 8 (AMP8), a transformative five-year regulatory framework for water companies in England and Wales, launches on 1st April 2025. Key objectives include Net Zero Emissions by 2030, Improved Water Quality, and Climate Resilience.
With £104 billion in investment and ambitious environmental targets, AMP8 aims to address sewage spills, leakage reduction and enhancing water efficiency through innovative solutions. Among emerging solutions, a natural biopolymer chitosan, offers great promise for achieving these ambitious goals.
This article explores how AMP8’s objectives align with the transformative potential of chitosan. From academia to the water industry, we delve into the science and applications that make chitosan a cornerstone for sustainable innovation.
AMP8
What is AMP8
AMP8 is the eighth cycle of the UK’s Asset Management Plan, overseen by the Water Services Regulation Authority (Ofwat). Unlike previous cycles focused on infrastructure upgrades, AMP8 prioritises:
Environmental Restoration: Reducing sewage spills by ~140,000 annually and improving river quality.
Climate Resilience: Investing in technologies to mitigate floods and droughts.
Affordability & Social Value: Balancing infrastructure costs with consumer bill impacts.
Circular Economy: Promoting resource efficiency, e.g., wastewater reuse and sustainable materials like chitosan.
Workforce Expansion: Creating 30,000+ skilled jobs to address labour shortages.
Why AMP8 Matters
AMP8 is the largest environmental investment programme in UK water history, driven by post-Brexit regulatory shifts, climate urgency, and post-pandemic recovery. Challenges include supply chain disruptions and achieving "net zero" Scope 3 emissions, but opportunities lie in innovation partnerships and nature-based solutions.

The Science Behind Chitosan
What Is Chitosan?
Chitosan is a polysaccharide obtained from the deacetylation of chitin, which is abundant in the exoskeletons of crustaceans, insects and fungi. Known for its biodegradability, non-toxicity, and biocompatibility, chitosan exhibits versatile properties that make it suitable for environmental applications (Yang et al., 2016).
Unique Properties of Chitosan
Adsorption Capabilities: Chitosan’s cationic nature allows it to bind effectively with anionic pollutants, such as heavy metals and dyes, in wastewater (Saheed et al., 2021).
Biodegradability: Unlike synthetic materials, chitosan degrades naturally, aligning with circular economy principles (Kean & Thanou, 2010).
Antimicrobial Action: Its antimicrobial properties enhance its efficacy in water purification and disinfection (Al-Manhel et al., 2018).
Waste Valorisation: Transforms waste (eg. Seafood industry waste with shrimp shells or Organic waste with Black Soldier Flies) into value-added products (Amiri et al., 2022).
How Chitosan Aligns with AMP8 Goals
1. Addressing Zero Pollution Ambitions
Chitosan-based technologies demonstrate exceptional efficiency in addressing zero pollution ambitions by effectively removing a range of pollutants. Chitosan readily adsorbs toxic heavy metals such as arsenic, lead, and mercury, preventing their harmful impact on ecosystems and human health (Zhang et al., 2016). Its unique structure also facilitates the adsorption and breakdown of various organic pollutants, including dyes and pharmaceuticals, which are often difficult to treat (Sadiq et al., 2021).
Furthermore, recent studies highlight chitosan's promising ability to trap microplastics during wastewater treatment, tackling a critical emerging contaminant (He et al., 2024).
2. Circular Economy Integration

Chitosan exemplifies circular economy principles by transforming what would otherwise be waste into valuable resources. This includes shrimp shells from the seafood industry and, notably, the exoskeletons of black soldier flies. These insects are particularly valuable as they efficiently consume and convert organic waste materials, further enhancing the sustainability of the chitosan production process (Siddiqui et al., 2022). This practice directly supports AMP8’s core objective of enhancing resource efficiency while significantly reducing environmental burdens.
3. Enhancing Water Security and Nature Based Solutions
Chitosan strengthens water security by improving wastewater treatment plant efficiency, enabling greater water reuse through its flocculating properties and as a sustainable alternative to synthetic coagulants (Yang et al., 2016). Its biodegradability and compatibility with eco-engineered systems like constructed wetlands further establish it as a preferred material for nature-based water management, contributing to a more secure and sustainable water future.
Academic Insights and Industry Adoption
Research Frontiers
Cutting-edge research is continually expanding chitosan's potential in water treatment. Scientists are developing advanced chitosan-based composites, combining it with other materials like nanomaterials or biochar, to enhance its adsorption capacity and target specific pollutants. Nanotechnology is further amplifying its effectiveness through nano chitosan, offering improved removal efficiency and targeted delivery of treatment agents (Karimi et al., 2022). Researchers are also exploring its use in membrane filtration and in combination with advanced oxidation processes.
Industry Adoption
Chitosan is increasingly integrated into water treatment globally, spanning municipal, industrial, and agricultural applications. Beyond flocculation, it's being explored for removing emerging contaminants like pharmaceuticals and microplastics (He et al., 2024). Driven by environmental awareness, its adoption as a sustainable alternative to chemical treatments is growing, with companies developing innovative chitosan-based products and technologies. Further research and development promise significant growth in chitosan use within the water industry.
Challenges and Ethical Considerations
While chitosan holds immense promise, several challenges and ethical considerations must be addressed for its widespread implementation.
Regulatory Gaps: Standardised guidelines for biopolymer use in water treatment are still needed to ensure safety, efficacy, and consistent quality. This includes standardised testing protocols and quality control measures.
Public Awareness: Building public awareness about the benefits of chitosan compared to traditional chemicals is crucial for fostering acceptance and driving market demand. Misconceptions about biopolymers need to be addressed.
Ethical Sourcing: Current traditional source of chitosan (shrimp shells) impacts marine ecosystems. Exploring alternative sources of chitin, such as insects, offers a potentially more sustainable and ethical route to chitosan production, reducing reliance on marine resources.
Get Involved
As AMP8 sets the stage for transformative changes, the need for innovative, sustainable materials has never been greater. Chitosan is poised to play a critical role in achieving these goals.
At Entoplast, we are committed to driving innovation in chitosan-based technologies. Entoplast offers tailored solutions to meet the needs of the water industry. Partner with us in building a cleaner, greener future. Contact our team at hello@entoplast.com to discuss your project and explore how we can help.
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