MEKKER

MEKKER – Valorization of food waste through the production of chemicals via microbial technology.

Term

September 1^st, 2019 – August 31^th, 2022

Project

In a rising demand of new technologies, the focus shifts from dry to rather wet anaerobic fermentation of waste streams. These waste streams are typically the vegetables & fruit (GF) fraction. For these organic waste streams, the DRANCO technology cannot be used because of the low dry weight percentage. This shift towards the usage of a wet anaerobic digestion is a preferrable choice, as organic waste streams could provide a healthy source of valuable nutrients. Previous projects also indicated that a GF waste stream, treated beforehand with a washing step, is rich in carboxylic acids and in particular lactic acid. This lactic acid gives an opportunity to potentially produce valuable carboxylic acids including caproic acid.

Provided with all this information, MEKKER represents a project which will research the viability of the production of lactic acid out of a GF waste stream coupled to the production of higher carboxylic acids including caproic acid. This research will not only be very innovative compared to the standard state of the art technology but will also provide a basis towards a profitable and innovative valorization strategy.