Scalable food-grade lipid downstream processing & recovery solutions

Overview

NIZO Food Research and the University of Twente have developed a scalable, integrated solution for the downstream processing of food-grade lipids. This innovative approach addresses key industry challenges in lipid recovery, such as cost, scalability, and sustainability. By integrating biomass separation, thermo-mechanical cell disruption, and optimized lipid recovery techniques, the solution reduces reliance on solvents and improves recovery efficiency. The process is designed for industrial implementation, offering a practical pathway for partners looking to enhance their production capabilities.

Technical specifications

Key features include:

• Integrated approach combining centrifugation, filtration, and thermo-mechanical disruption
• Emulsion control techniques to enhance lipid recovery
• Downstream refining processes to ensure product quality and stability
• Pilot plant trials (100–10,000 L/h) to validate scalability and efficiency
• Solvent reduction strategies to enhance sustainability

The process involves mapping and optimizing lipid recovery pathways, followed by pilot validation under industrial conditions. This ensures that the technology is ready for scale-up and commercial deployment.

Technology readiness level

The current technology readiness level is 6, indicating that the solution has been demonstrated in a relevant environment, with pilot plant trials supporting scalability and industrial application.