المملكة: "KAUST" Innovates technology to convert dairy and juice waste into fuel and feed
Developed by researchers at King Abdullah University of Science and Technology “KAUST” creates an innovative technology to transform dairy waste and spoiled juices into high-value chemicals, in a step that supports the Kingdom’s goals to divert 90% of its waste away from landfills by 2040.
The new technology provides a solution to the dual environmental challenge of food waste, which releases methane gas. Harmful, with a capacity that is 25 times greater than carbon dioxide, when it decomposes in landfills. It also provides an economical alternative to traditional methods such as “anaerobic decomposition” for methane production, which are not feasible in the Kingdom due to the high Its foundational cost.
Recycling spoiled food
Explained Professor Pascal Cicali from KAUST, says that spoiled food should be viewed as a resource and not as waste. His team succeeded in converting it into short- and medium-chain carboxylic acids (SCCAs and MCCAs), which are carbon molecules used in the chemical industry.
The market value of short-chain acids, used in paints and food preservation, is about $300 per ton, while the value of medium-chain acids, used in cosmetics. And soap, ten times this amount.
A source for the production of fish and poultry feed
The pilot study, which KAUST began implementing, revealed a third high-value product, which is “casein”, one of the main dairy proteins.
It is expected that this extract will be used as a promising source for the production of fish and poultry feed, which contributes to enhancing food security and reducing Reliance on imports, which currently constitute about 70% of the costs of the livestock sector.
The secret of the success of the operation, which has attracted the interest of regional companies that currently supply KAUST with more than 500 liters of waste weekly, lies in the unique combination between lactose in dairy and fructose and sucrose in juices.
Dr. Krishna stated Kattori, a senior researcher at KAUST, said that this combination creates a “closed loop system” in which waste feeds into the production process without the need for any chemical additives, ensuring that nothing is sent to landfill.
Dr. Hari Anada Rao added that the “modular” design of the technology is an attractive feature, as factories can easily install and modify the units, making It eliminates the need to transport waste, reduces logistical costs and enhances sustainability.
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