AgriChemWhey
AgriChemWhey aims to establish an innovative, industrial scale biorefinery with integrated symbiotic industrial and agricultural value chains. This facility will have the capacity to valorise over 25,000 tonnes (100% dry matter) per annum of excess Whey Permeate (WP) and De-lactosed Whey Permeate (DLP), which are major by-products of dairy processing. These by-products are currently a challenge for the dairy industry due to unreliable disposal routes and pose sustainability issues for milk production expansion in Europe. The project's goal is to convert WP and DLP into various high-value products, such as lactic acid, polylactic acid, minerals for human nutrition, and bio-based fertilizers. This innovative approach involves coordinated investments and development to establish a flagship plant, representing a major industrial venture for converting food processing residues into value-added bio-based products.
The technology is based on a unique fermentation process that will significantly reduce fermentation time to just 12 hours. It also optimizes the processing of DLG and WP upstream and streamlines novel lactic acid purification on an industrial scale. By doing so, AgriChemWhey will create a new value chain, fostering industrial symbiosis with local partners to produce high-value, sustainable food, and feed products, including high-quality mushrooms, from other side streams.
This approach enhances circular bioeconomy practices related to agriculture and agri-food waste, leading to increased resource efficiency, reduced food waste, and greater utilization of the same raw material, namely milk. Furthermore, AgriChemWhey will develop a blueprint for an economically sustainable concept and replication plans for other European regions. This will have both short- and long-term impacts, contributing to the development of the European bioeconomy, promoting rural growth, enhancing competitiveness, job creation, and aligning with European sustainability targets.
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