Green Adhesives Made from Whey

We examined alternative adhesives for packaging needs.

Green adhesives made from whey

Research News / September 01, 2022

In collaboration with TU Dresden, Fraunhofer researchers have developed a process for obtaining valuable, high-purity ethyl acetate from whey. This can be used, for example, to produce environmentally friendly adhesives, thereby replacing conventional ethyl acetate extracted from fossil-based raw materials. It also eliminates the need for costly disposal of the molasses produced during whey processing.

After the molasses are fermented in the bioreactor, the resulting gas-vapor mixture is passed through a mem-brane module and the valuable ethyl acetate is separated.

© Fraunhofer IKTS

After the molasses are fermented in the bioreactor, the resulting gas-vapor mixture is passed through a mem-brane module and the valuable ethyl acetate is separated.

Rasterelektronenmikroskop-Aufnahme einer Kompositmembran. Durch die nur 0,5 nm großen Poren der Zeolithschicht diffundieren die Ethylacetat-Moleküle auf die andere Seite der Membran.

© Fraunhofer IKTS

Scanning electron micrograph of a composite membrane. The ethyl acetate molecules diffuse through the pores of the zeolite layer, which are only 0.5 nm in size, to the other side of the membrane.

Every day, large quantities of whey are produced as a by-product by the dairy industry. In Germany alone, this amounts to 12.6 million tons a year. For each kilogram of cheese, for example, 9 kilograms of whey are produced. Some of this is processed further, for example into whey-based drinks with fruit additives or other mixed drinks. The lactose and proteins contained in the whey can also be separated and used in other ways, for example, as a raw material in pharmaceuticals or in baby food. However, once the proteins and lactose have been separated, molasses remains. Disposing of this substance is very complicated and expensive, due to its relatively high salt content.

Researchers at the Fraunhofer Institute for Ceramic Technologies and Systems IKTS in Hermsdorf, together with TU Dresden, have now developed a process for extracting valuable ethyl acetate, a colorless solvent, from the molasses. Ethyl acetate is often used when manufacturing adhesives, printing inks or varnishes. It can also be used to clean surfaces. ... '