Un-Plastic: a clean-biotechnological process to valorize beer waste streams towards the production of a nanocellulose based alternative to replace plastics

Plastic production started in ~1950 and became indispensable in our society. However, if we continue with the same rate in production and use, including recycling, the plastic waste pile will be doubled by 2050. This is already an environmental problem and will only become worse. Therefore, it is important to search for alternatives for plastic materials. One of these alternatives is the production of nanocellulose from waste streams generated during the beer brewing process. In this way a contribution to the circular economy is made in three ways: (1) less plastic production for use in society, (2) valorization of wastewater from the beer brewing process, and (3) the development of an environmentally friendly and circular production process of nanocellulose. Three parties will participate in the project: Outlander Materials, Vet & Lazy Brouwerij and HAN BioCentre. Outlander Materials holds a technique to produce biomaterial from waste streams generated during the beer brewing process and other industrial waste streams. This biomaterial can be further converted into compostable and/or edible papers and foils based on nanocellulose. Outlander Materials has proven this concept by the small-scale production of an edible paper packaging for candy. The beer waste streams originate from washing steps required during the brewing process and are produced by Vet & Lazy Brouwerij.
The current challenge is how to produce this biomaterial using beer waste streams on a larger scale using bioprocess technology. In this project HAN BioCentre will deliver expertise and equipment to further develop this technique.