Project WheyNot explores high-value applications for whey waste

Whey is a well-known byproduct of the dairy sector, already widely used in food and animal feed. However, after these applications, large volumes of whey permeate remain — a liquid with low nutritional value, currently used mainly as a filler in animal feed. The significant quantities produced annually across Europe call for a more sustainable and higher-value alternative.

Electrodialysis

That’s why WheyNot focuses on the potential of whey permeate as a biobased raw material for the chemical industry. To make this possible, the permeate must be purified by removing minerals such as calcium (Ca²⁺), magnesium (Mg²⁺), potassium (K⁺), phosphate (PO₄³⁻), and chloride (Cl⁻). The project is investigating whether electrodialysis (ED) is an effective method for this purification.

In addition, the project examines whether the mineral-rich stream that results from the electrodialysis process could serve as a sustainable fertilizer in agriculture.

WheyNot is a strong example of how residual streams from the food industry can be transformed into valuable resources, benefiting both the economy and the environment.