Project Overview

We are a dynamic Trans-European partnership of 5 SMEs from 4 Member States that has identified the potential of a highly efficient, selective, gentle and economically attractive electromembrane filtration (EMF) technology to enhance separation and concentration of proteins and protein peptides from whey, which is currently an emerging by-product from the dairy industry. The efficient recovery of functional protein fractions will provide and important source of high-value natural food emulsifiers and protein supplements for various food formulations and nutritional applications, while providing an economic alternative to whey disposal into municipal sewage systems, which is strictly regulated in the EU and even generates costs.

The key innovations will be:

• novel large scale EMF technology to process whey
• process that can be tailored to manipulate and control the output/fractions produced
• unit with automated function and minimal maintenance requirements
• method to produce proteins of specific functionality
• system cost effective, flexible in production and easy to operate for small-scale cheesemakers
• process with a wide range of potential applications in biotechnological downstream processes