Scientists in Germany are researching ways to replace petroleum-based raw materials with sustainable proteins from rapeseed oil waste, the Food Manufacture website reports. The article claims that the work could ‘revolutionise the chemical industry.’
The study is being carried out at the Freising-based Fraunhofer Institute for Process Engineering and Packaging. The project, named TeFuProt, is looking at ways of using food waste for industrial applications. This is to reduce industry’s dependency on fossil fuels as they become scarcer and more expensive, and to mitigate the effects of climate change.
Currently, rapeseed oil is widely used in food production and as a domestic cooking substance. The by-products of processing include protein-rich material known as rapeseed meal and press-cake, the article explains.
Scientist Andreas Fetzer of the Fraunhofer Institute said: “Up until now, this residue has been used mainly as a foodstuff in livestock farming but this usage is limited because of the bitter substances contained.”
The scientists have discovered that the press-cake proteins can be used to form films, gels, and foams, and retain water. This means they have the potential to replace petroleum-based additives for products such as paints, building materials, lubricants, varnishes, adhesives, and polymers.
Fetzer added that the vegetable proteins will open the door to the development of novel, sustainable, bio-based products with improved properties. This could reduce dependence on fossil resources such as oil, and also help towards global carbon net zero targets to slow climate change.
Four types of protein have been recovered by the researchers, using four different processes. Fetzer explains that they de-oil, grind, and dissolve the press-cake in water, and then separate the solids from the liquids. The aqueous extract is then refined with the dissolved proteins.
Prototype products have already been manufactured, such as biodegradable films and foams for packaging, and flame-retardant insulating foam for construction.
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