Cheese Waste Offers Whey for Energy Cost Cutting
UK - Food waste left over from cheese processing could soon be as much of a money-spinner as the finished product itself under a new scheme being trialled in the US.As processors continue to face rising commodity and energy costs, a growing number of manufacturers are looking to alternative energy sources to drive greater cost efficiency in their operations and meet targets to cut carbon emissions.
Through the construction of an anaerobic digester, the plant will use its own whey supply, along with atter from confectionery group Joy Cone, for production of 40m cubic feet worth of biogas a year, the agriculture department said.
This will be equivalent to 28m cubic feet of natural gas.
The biogas, through use of the plant's boiler, will produce steam and electricity to fuel cheese processing at the site, reducing reliance on fossil fuels.
Source: foodproductiondaily.com