Developing an innovative process plant to produce pectin from food waste
BACKGROUND
Over the past 30 years, Australian manufacturers have been importing pectin from overseas. Pectin is a critical gel-making ingredient in many products, including food products. This dependence on overseas introduced supply chain reliability issues, and an increase in pectin prices.
The traditional pectin production method is environmentally harmful, has associated safety concerns, and can result in suboptimal product yield and quality.
Our client intends to manufacture pectin locally in Australia and needs to develop a technology and production process that is environmentally sustainable, safe, and economically viable.
OUR WORK
Key results
We identified the best technology solution against our client’s criteria. We proved it on a lab scale. Currently, we are validating the commercial viability of the technology. The next step is to design, construct, and operate a pilot plant.
We identified the best technology based on real experimental results derived from representative feedstocks and other relevant analyses, which was otherwise an unintuitive conclusion.
The technology we selected and the process we developed gave up to twice the yield relative to the traditional method with a lower energy requirement and less waste generated.
We performed a technology landscape analysis where we ranked all current and emerging technologies based on their efficiency, environmental sustainability, operational flexibility, and economic viability.
We selected the most promising technologies and completed an experimental proof-of-concept study for which we designed and built experimental apparatuses for comparative evaluation.
While identifying the best technology, we simultaneously developed and optimised a process for pectin production and answered several questions with implications for our client’s business strategy moving forward.
We produced high-quality sample products, which we validated using purpose-built, rapid characterisation techniques that we developed in-house.
We secured a tier 1 manufacturing partner to scale production in Australia.
Services included…
Technology landscaping, scouting, and discovery
Technology assessment and ranking
Prototype rig design, construction, and setup
Design and execution of R&D programs
Commercial viability assessment and Pre-Feasibility techno-economic analysis
Digital twin development, modelling, and simulation
Technical Handbook development
Know-how protection
Process and rector design
Risk management and mitigation
Full knowledge transfer, including client upskilling and creation of artefacts (manuals, schematics)
Design of bench scale production facility
CLIENT STATEMENT
“Scimita are a great team that is enabling our technology development and commercialisation and helping us realise our dreams!”