Reflows - Circular biobased products from protein-rich brewery waste streams

Purpose and goal:

The purpose of the project was to initiate a circular, sustainable and resource-efficient use of brewery waste streams to meet the need for bio-based raw materials and products, nationally and in the long term internationally. To achieve this, the project has started to build a new value network of stakeholders and raw material producers who together can create a circular system for producing a bio-based product.

Expected results and effects:

The continued aim is that the project will lead to a change in producer behaviour, which with the right communication in turn will result in a change in customer behaviour. The project has investigated different routes for raw material extraction from yeast and laid the foundation for further development of several technological solutions, such as the production of yeast-based adhesives.

Approach and implementation:

During the project, quantification and characterization of the residual stream and biomass has, among other things, been carried out in order to identify components from which a bio-based adhesive for corrugated cardboard packaging and particle boards can be developed. Subsequently, the product has been validated in its respective applications by manufacturing demonstrators.

An economic, environmental, and social sustainability analysis with regard to system design and valorization processes has been carried out to clarify the product´s environmental impact.