Public/private consortium invests $1.24 million in spent grain research

The Western Australian government is contributing $660,000 to a project aiming to transform brewer’s spent grain (BSG) – a source of 300,000 tonnes of waste annually in Australia – into food and fibre products.

Value Adding to Brewery Spent Grain is a $1.24 million project through the End Food Waste CRC, with goals including a chemical composition database covering the suitability of BSG in various applications, and assessment of different BSGs for purposes including in developing developing food ingredients and prebiotics, plant-based leather, and ready-to-eat products.

According to a statement from the WA government on Tuesday, 20 kilograms of wet by-product is created per every 100 litres of beer brewed, with most of it becoming landfill or low-value animal feed.

The CRC’s CEO Tristan Butt said: “Each year, Australia's brewing industry generates enough spent grain to cover Kings Park – that's a nutrient-rich by-product that too often goes to landfill.

“Repurposing it into food, nutraceuticals and sustainable materials cuts this waste and unlocks new value. It's a positive step, taking us closer to our goal of halving food waste by 2030.”

The project is led by the state government scientific services provider ChemCentre, and includes collaborators the Western Australian Brewers Association, Nanollose, Spinifex Brewing Co, Maalinup Gallery, Curtin University and the WA Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development.  

“This research will explore how WA craft beer, already an incredible example of a value-add product, could have further value-add potential for WA growers and brewers,” added state food minister Jackie Jarvis.

Picture: credit Neil916 (CC BY 3.0)

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