FrieslandCampina launches challenge to innovate dairy side streams

FrieslandCampina Ingredients (FCI), a prominent name in the dairy industry, has announced a challenge to reimagine the potential of its dairy side streams. In collaboration with Icos Capital, FCI is inviting startups, scale-ups, and corporates to submit ideas that transform by-products from cheese whey and caseinate production into valuable ingredients. This initiative aligns with FCI’s focus on sustainability and innovation, leveraging materials that are often underutilized in the food production process.

The challenge centers on three specific side streams: delactosed permeate from cheese whey production, a food-grade stream rich in lactose, minerals, and proteins; delactosed permeate from caseinate production, which is primarily feed-grade but contains similar nutrients; and NaFos, a mineral-rich by-product derived from the demineralization of whey. These materials offer significant potential for applications across various industries, including food, feed, agriculture, and pharmaceuticals.

FCI emphasizes the versatility of these streams. They can serve as substrates for fermentation processes, contribute to the development of animal feed, or act as raw materials for biomass fermentation using fungi and microalgae. Other possibilities include their use in wastewater treatment, industrial applications such as rust removal, and even in pharmaceuticals to enhance drug stability and functionality. With their nutrient-dense composition, these by-products present a valuable opportunity to create sustainable and economically viable solutions.

The competition is structured to attract participants with a clear vision and the capability to scale their innovations. Companies are required to present preliminary business plans demonstrating how they can convert these side streams into commercially viable products. Proposals will be assessed on technological feasibility, commercial scalability, economic and sustainability impacts, regulatory compliance, and cultural alignment with FCI’s goals. Preference will be given to solutions that can be implemented near FCI’s production facilities in the Netherlands or in neighboring regions, minimizing the environmental impact associated with transporting liquid side streams over long distances.

Participants that advance through the initial selection phases will gain access to an array of resources provided by FCI. These include expert mentorship, R&D infrastructure at FrieslandCampina’s Innovation Centre, and analytical capabilities for ingredient development. The Innovation Centre, equipped with pilot plant facilities such as dryers for food-grade ingredient processing, will enable participants to refine and scale their concepts. Additionally, shortlisted candidates will have access to the side streams themselves, enabling practical experimentation and product development.

The timeline for the challenge is ambitious yet structured to foster meaningful collaboration. Registration and submissions are open until 22 November, with initial shortlists announced by early December. Finalists will present their ideas at FrieslandCampina’s headquarters in Amersfoort, Netherlands, or online, with the development phase running from February through April 2024. Winners will be announced in May, marking the start of potential long-term partnerships with FCI.

FrieslandCampina Ingredients aims to address both economic and environmental challenges through this initiative. By transforming these dairy side streams into high-value ingredients, the company seeks to reduce waste, create sustainable products, and unlock new market opportunities. This challenge also reflects a broader industry trend of integrating circular economy principles into food production, ensuring that valuable resources are fully utilized.

As FCI continues to push the boundaries of dairy innovation, this challenge underscores the company’s commitment to fostering collaboration and driving progress. With an emphasis on sustainability, scalability, and practicality, the initiative offers participants an opportunity to make a tangible impact on the future of food and related industries.