Chivas Brothers Work With Scientists to Transform Whisky Waste into Valuable Bio-Based Chemicals

A groundbreaking method to extract valuable bio-based chemicals from whisky distillery waste, supplied by Chivas Brothers, could revolutionise global chemical manufacturing, potentially generating up to £90 million in new market value. This innovative approach not only offers a sustainable alternative to petrochemical-derived ingredients but also positions the whisky industry as a key player in the green manufacturing revolution.

The Collaborative Effort Behind the Innovation

At the forefront of this innovation are scientists from RIPCELL, a pioneering chemical manufacturing company, working in collaboration with researchers from the University of Aberdeen. Together, they have demonstrated the feasibility of recovering high-value compounds, such as lactic acid, from pot ale and spent lees—two co-products generated during the whisky distillation process.

This research project, supported by the Industrial Biotechnology Innovation Centre (IBioIC), utilised waste stream samples provided by Chivas Brothers from 12 of its distilleries across Scotland. The collaboration between industry and academia has laid the groundwork for a sustainable solution that could have far-reaching implications across various sectors.

Unlocking the Potential of Whisky Waste

The whisky distillation process generates significant amounts of pot ale and spent lees, which have traditionally been used in low-value applications or discarded altogether. For every litre of whisky produced, up to 10 litres of spent lees are generated. These waste streams, once considered byproducts, have now been identified as sources of high-value chemicals with applications in the pharmaceuticals, food and drink, and cosmetics industries.

The research team developed a process using liquid chromatography, a sophisticated separation technique, to isolate and extract valuable acids from pot ale. This process was subsequently adapted to retrieve additional solvents from spent lees.

Overall, it is an innovative approach increases the value of these waste products. On top of this, it also aligns with a more sustainable and circular approach to manufacturing.

A Sustainable Alternative with Significant Environmental Impact

One of the most promising aspects of this new method is its potential to significantly reduce the carbon footprint of chemical manufacturing.

A life cycle analysis conducted by the research team revealed that the bio-based chemicals produced using this method have a substantially lower carbon footprint compared to those derived from traditional petrochemical routes.

The new manufacturing process could reduce global industry emissions by an estimated 392 million kilograms of CO2 equivalent per year.

What Next?

With the feasibility study proving successful, the next phase of the project will focus on scaling up the separation process to industrial levels. This step is crucial for demonstrating the viability of the method on a commercial scale and for realising its full potential within the global chemical manufacturing industry.

Dr. Eve Wildman, founder of RIPCELL, emphasised the transformative potential of this process: “Around 2.6 billion litres of wastewater is produced from the Scottish whisky industry every year, so the potential of this process is huge. For decades, the majority of these co-products have been used as animal feed, but we have found a new, more valuable option to deal with spent lees that could change the ways in which distilleries manage and process their residues.”

Wider Applications

Dr. Liz Fletcher, director of business engagement at IBioIC, highlighted the broader implications of the project: “This project is a brilliant example of how we can add economic value by taking a circular approach to co-products and applying biotechnology. For both whisky producers and the chemicals industry, this process marks a significant step forward in reducing the environmental impact of manufacturing. We look forward to supporting RIPCELL throughout its next steps to bring the process closer to commercial application.”

Dr. Alan McCue, a senior lecturer at the University of Aberdeen, also expressed his enthusiasm: “The idea of utilising wastewater from a traditional industry like whisky production for the recovery of bio-based chemicals is highly innovative. It’s great to see Scottish heritage being linked to sustainable chemical production. The outcomes of this IBioIC funded project are really exciting, and I look forward to supporting RIPCELL in the next stages of its development.”

Sustainability in the Whisky Industry

The collaboration between RIPCELL, the University of Aberdeen, and IBioIC represents a significant advancement in the field of sustainable manufacturing. By harnessing the potential of whisky distillery waste, this project is poised to reshape the chemical manufacturing landscape, offering a greener, more sustainable approach to the production of essential compounds.

This is not the only sustainable project in the whisky industry. It is an industry attempting to change all aspects of the manufacturing process to make it more sustainable. These include:

• Beam Suntory working with hydrogen power to create net-zero whisky
• Simpsons Malt investing in electric biomass boilers to reduce emissions
• Chivas Brothers investing in electric trucks for deliveries

At UKV International AG we are a whisky broker that works with our clients to discover fine and rare whiskies.

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