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Activatec and BDC triumph at IChemE Global Awards: Transforming dairy waste through innovative research

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Activatec and the Biorenewables Development Centre (BDC) have been awarded the prestigious Research Project Award at the 2024 IChemE Global Awards for their groundbreaking work transforming dairy waste into valuable resources.

Their innovative project, funded by Innovate UK, focuses on converting whey permeate, a typically discarded dairy byproduct, into lactobionic acid (LBA), a sought-after ingredient in the cosmetics, pharmaceutical and food industries. By scaling up a unique bacterial conversion process, the team has successfully transformed waste into a high-value product.

The IChemE Global Award acknowledges the team's exceptional contribution to solving industrial waste problems through cutting-edge research and innovation. As the project nears completion, Activatec and BDC have not only gained global appreciation but also developed a promising methodology that demonstrates the potential of biorenewable technologies to create economic value while addressing environmental challenges.

Jose Molto-Marin from Activatec said:

Winning the IChemE Global Awards' Research Project Award represents a fantastic achievement, not only for our companies but for the industry as a whole. Together with the BDC and supported by Innovate UK, we are redefining how industrial waste is perceived and utilised.

Darren Phillips, Senior Technologist at the BDC added:

Our teams have successfully scaled-up the creation of lactobionic acid from lab-scale to a 30-litre fermenter, paving the way for commercial-scale production. This innovative process transforms dairy waste into a valuable, sustainable ingredient with the potential to replace petrochemical-derived ingredients. The IChemE Global Award recognises our team's dedication to realising this potential.