Within the framework of the European CHEERS project, financed by the Horizon Europe programme and coordinated by Mahou San Miguel, the aim is to transform underused by-products from the brewing industry into high added value bioproducts through an innovative biorefinery model. These bioproducts include ectoin and caproic acid, whose applications and advances in the project are detailed below. As a technological partner of the consortium, Genia Bioenergy is leading the development of the downstream processing units (DSP) for the purification of these compounds, and we are currently in the equipment procurement phase, with installation and commissioning scheduled for the coming months.

  • What is ectoin?

    Ectoin is a natural compound produced by certain halophilic bacteria as a protective mechanism against extreme environmental conditions, such as high salinity, high temperatures or UV radiation. This compatible amino acid stabilises proteins and cell membranes, giving it moisturising, anti-inflammatory and protective properties. Thanks to these characteristics, ectoin is used in the cosmetics industry for the development of skin care products, offering benefits such as protection against premature ageing and improvement of the skin barrier.

  • What is caproic acid?

    Caproic acid, also known as hexanoic acid, is a medium-chain fatty acid found naturally in some vegetable oils and dairy products. In the context of the CHEERS project, caproic acid is produced by microbial conversion of CO₂ and wastewater, resulting in a caproic fatty acid-rich mixture with an estimated production capacity of 490 kg/year. This bioproduct has applications in animal feed formulation, contributing to the improvement of digestibility and energy intake in animal feed.

     

Application in the CHEERS project

In the framework of CHEERS, ectoin is obtained through the microbial conversion of methane (CH₄) present in the biogas generated by the brewing industry. This process is carried out in microbial platforms designed to transform CH₄ into ectoin, with an expected production of 20 kg/year. On the other hand, caproic acid is produced by converting CO₂ and wastewater into a mixture of caproic fatty acids, as mentioned above. Both processes are integrated in a modular biorefinery approach that seeks to maximise the valorisation of brewing by-products and reduce the carbon footprint by at least 45% in each value chain.

Genia Bioenergy’s progress in the project

Genia Bioenergy plays a key role in the CHEERS project, leading the WP4 work package, focused on the integration and cascade processing of microbial and insect platforms. The company is responsible for the design, development and operation of downstream processing units (DSP) for the purification of ectoin and caproic acid at pilot scale. These units are designed to be modular and scalable, facilitating their adaptation to different industrial contexts.

To date, Genia Bioenergy has completed the basic and detailed engineering of the DSP units, and has acquired the necessary equipment for their implementation. Installation of these units is expected to be completed in the coming months, with commissioning and process validation scheduled for the second half of 2025. These developments position Genia Bioenergy as a leading player in the transition to a circular and sustainable economy in the brewing industry.

For more information on the CHEERS project and Genia Bioenergy’s activities, please visit the project website or the dedicated section on the Genia Bioenergy website.