Beer manufacturing waste transformed into cellulose nanofibers in the industry

Japanese researchers have made a significant breakthrough in waste management and sustainable industrial practices by developing a technique to upcycle hop waste into cellulose nanofibers (CNFs). This innovative approach, which could potentially replace petroleum in the production of CNFs, has been published in the journal ACS Agricultural Science & Technology.

The research team, led by Prof. Dr. Thomas Hahn and Dr. Magdalena Auer from the Technical University of Munich (TUM), has successfully extracted CNFs from hop stems, a byproduct that typically ends up in landfills. The technique involves using 'TEMPO', a method known for its efficiency in extracting CNFs from various sources, including wood and agro-industrial wastes.

The hop stems contain a proportion of cellulose almost equal to that of wood, making them an ideal alternative source for CNFs. The CNFs obtained through this process have a median size of about 2 nanometers, demonstrating the technique's effectiveness.

The surge in popularity of craft beer has led to a record high in hop production in 2019, resulting in a substantial amount of hop waste. By using this waste as a resource, the researchers aim to reduce the beer industry's growing waste and land footprint, as well as cut back on petroleum feedstocks.

To demonstrate the feasibility of this new method to the industry, the research team plans to prepare emulsions stabilized by hop stem-derived CNFs.

Yokohama National University (YNU), where the research was conducted, is a Japanese national university founded in 1949. Known for its academic research in practical application sciences, YNU provides students with a practical education and facilitates engagement with the global community. For more information about YNU, please visit: YNU's official website.

If successful, hop stem-derived CNFs could lead to a significant reduction in the use of conventional synthetic surfactants. These CNFs are expected to be used as excellent plant-derived materials in various industrial applications due to their low weight, high strength, and stabilization properties.

The paper describing this technique was published on June 11, 2022, and can be accessed using the DOI: 10.1021/acsagscitech.1c00041.

As the world continues to grapple with waste management and sustainability issues, innovations such as this one hold great promise for a greener, more sustainable future.