Our award-winning Green Chemistry Centre of Excellence is working on a project to create value from the region’s food waste by extracting natural chemicals which can be used by other local industries.
WasteValor
The WasteValor project helps companies who create or process food in Yorkshire and Humber to turn their waste into a potential new source of income. It also advises local industries who could be users of the extracted material, including soaps and cosmetic companies, and links them with potential suppliers.
Now, WasteValor industrial engagement manager Dr Jeff Eaves is inviting companies who create or process food waste, or who may use the chemicals extracted, to get in touch to find out if they are eligible for two day’s free consultancy at the University. The work is funded by a grant from the European Regional Development Fund.
Our green chemists have already developed many innovative uses for waste. These include the use of processed starch as a green filter to remove contaminants from waste water. A major project with the University’s Biorenewables Development Centre is using microwave technology to turn orange peel, a by-product of the orange juice industry, into chemicals that can be used in fragrances, flavourings and food and medicines.
Research and Development
Dr Eaves explained: “Many small and medium-sized companies don’t have the time or R&D resources to investigate if they can do more with their food waste. Our scientists provide desk-based and laboratory research to analyse the feasibility of extracting useful chemicals, such as limonene and pectin from fruit peel, succinic acid from bakery waste or starch from potato peelings.
“We also work with companies who can use the natural chemicals from the waste. For example, the oils extracted from coffee grounds are a natural and ethical alternative to palm oil for soap and cosmetic formulations.”
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