University of Canterbury students turn beer waste into nanocellulose, cutting landfill emissions

A team from the University of Canterbury is developing a biochemical process to convert spent grain from beer production into nanocellulose, a strong and flexible natural fiber. The project, called NanoBrew, targets the 13,700 tonnes of brewery waste sent to landfill each year in New Zealand, which generates emissions equivalent to 3,300 petrol cars annually. Nanocellulose can be used in biodegradable plastics, cosmetics, and electronic circuit boards, with a global market valued in the billions of dollars. The team uses enzymes to extract the material from spent grain, which is difficult to compost due to its high moisture content. The project is part of the international iGEM synthetic biology competition, and the students are fundraising to present their findings in Paris later this year.