ProUpSide - optimization and scale-up of agro-industrial side stream purification
| Reference number | |
| Coordinator | Redstone Separations AB |
| Funding from Vinnova | SEK 2 780 000 |
| Project duration | October 2022 - December 2024 |
| Status | Completed |
| Venture | Food from the future |
| Call | The everyday food of the future - Swedish processing of plant-based raw materials - step 2 |
Important results from the project
We have developed an efficient resin-based method for purifying potato protein solutions from the potato starch industry where we reach sufficiently low levels of the alkaloid toxins. We have established process optimizations when the levels of the glycoalkaloids are very high. The implementation in the industry will take place with a regeneration process that is currently being developed. We will also develop an analysis product to quantify the new alkaloids.
Expected long term effects
The long-term effects of such a technology are that society can move more towards a plant-based, sustainable food system. Dependence on imports will decrease and the possibility of exporting food can increase. The food sector will be able to create more jobs that will increase prosperity in the country and Europe. The spin-off effect for resin-based purification technology can be that other industries will realize the opportunities bringing growth for Redstone Separations.
Approach and implementation
The collaboration between Redstone and SLU worked well. An important machine was broken for a few months - that´s why we applied for an extension of the project. Customers demanded a higher resin performance which took longer time to develop. So the scale-up and regeneration were postponed until after the project. EFSA added several new alkaloids that also had to be measured and removed, which our resin is able to do.