Way in on whey: EU sponsors project to valorize dairy byproduct

In Ireland, dairy ingredient supplier Glanbia has been appointed head of a European Commission project aimed at finding new uses for whey, a major dairy industry byproduct.

Dubbed AgriChemWhey, the project is being funded by a €30-million ($37.2-million) grant under the Bio-based Industries Joint Technology Imitative. Of those funds, Glanbia will receive €15 million ($18.6 million).

AgriChemWhey will build a biorefinery to convert 25,000 metric tons of whey permeate and de-lactosed whey permeate into value-added products like lactic acid, polylactic acid, minerals for nutrition, and fertilizers.

Other AgriChemWhey participants include University College Dublin, Galactic SA, and EW Biotech GMBH.