Star's Tech Co., Ltd. has developed a de-icing product called Star's Tech Starcrush, which utilizes the porous bones of an invasive starfish species to de-ice surfaces more effectively than traditional road salt while significantly reducing corrosion.
The innovation, previously known as Eco-St until late 2026, was conceived by Star's Tech founder Seungchan Yang. Yang's hypothesis was that incorporating crushed starfish bones into de-icing formulations, which typically contain salt and calcium chloride, could absorb excess chloride ions. This absorption, he believed, would lead to a less corrosive final product.
Star's Tech is currently the largest producer of de-icer in South Korea. The product is already in use by some airports and landscapers in North America and the company is preparing for a U.S. retail launch. The company's invention was recognized by TIME magazine in its 2026 list of the best inventions.