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FORNY20-FORNY2020

KVAL: EpiWhey – conversion of whey sidestreams

Alternative title: EpiWhey - konvertering av myse

Awarded: NOK 0.50 mill.

Project Number:

328588

Project Period:

2021 - 2022

Funding received from:

Subject Fields:

The EpiWhey project has optimized, validated and patent applied a new cost-effective and sustainable method for the purification of Epilactose from the whey permeate side stream. The project has focused on upscaling the process to industrial relevant levels and have achieved fermentation in a 100L fermentor and an Epilactose:Lactose purity of 95%. The EpiWhey process, developed at the Norwegian University of Life Sciences (NMBU), will transform this production in a novel two-step process. Using the EpiWhey process, epilactose can be produced in large quantities by the dairy industry in a cheap and effective manner. In addition, epilactose can easily be implemented into both existing and new products. Epilactose has the potential to replace or be a cost-effective alternative to well-known health promoting fructooligosaccharides (FOS). Europe has been the largest regional segment for the FOS market as a result of high awareness levels, public reliance on FOS products and government support to the industry. Growing lifestyle changes in North America towards healthy living has meanwhile rendered the North American market the second largest regional segment. The EpiWhey process has the ability to impact the income streams of several industries along a new (and partly old) value chain. Realisation has been achieved through this project by clearly defining the process of purification, scaling it up to an industrial relevant level and by seeking patent protection. These elements will allow industrial stakeholders to implement our process into their industrial production lines and will also implement our process into new and/or existing products.

We see a clear path for commercialisation of our technology to exciting industry, which have a whey surplus and/or have a customer segment within health promoting ingredients. We have, and will investigate further, the various pros/cons of potential exit-strategies, depending on the dialog and discussion with stakeholders. Lasting competitive advantage will be solidified by know-how of the EpiWhey process and a strong IP strategy for process and product. Risks involved in future strategy will be mitigated by early involvement of industry in a verification application during the spring of 2022.

Funding scheme:

FORNY20-FORNY2020