Dairy processing side-streams (DPS), such as liquid waste from yogurt, butter, and ice cream production, are nutrient-rich yet underutilized due to food safety regulations. Each year, millions of tons are discarded, contributing to greenhouse gas emissions and resource inefficiencies. This project aims to establish a novel biomanufacturing platform to valorize DPS through biocatalysis and cellular agriculture. The interdisciplinary team will conduct proof-of-concept experiments to convert dairy fats into biofuels and repurpose the protein- and carbohydrate-rich fractions into cellular food products. These approaches offer renewable, carbon-neutral alternatives to traditional fuels and food sources while minimizing hazardous waste generation. A techno-economic analysis (TEA) will be conducted to identify the most promising and scalable valorization pathways. By integrating food science, engineering, and sustainability principles, this initiative will advance decarbonization technologies in line with the Climate and Natural Systems and Integrated Energy Systems IEE themes by demonstrating technologies that reduce carbon emissions and increase energy and food resilience.
