tech
Whey to go! Could the cheese byproduct heat our homes and fuel our cars?
British cheesemakers have struggled to find a use for the 95,000 tonnes of salty whey they produce every year. But researchers may have come up with a solution
TL;DR
- Salty whey, a byproduct of cheese making, is largely considered a waste product despite containing lactose, protein, and fat.
- Britain produces 95,000 tonnes of salty whey annually, presenting an environmental disposal challenge.
- Researchers at Heriot-Watt University have devised a method to turn salty whey into fuel, such as bioethanol.
- This process involves a bio-based conversion of the sugars present in the whey.
- The research aims to add value to byproducts that are difficult to manage but still contain valuable components.