Aberdeen’s Ripcell takes whisky distillation circular

Ripcell uses a separation technique called liquid chromatography to isolate and extract acids from pot ale, the yellowish watery liquid left over after the first distillation phase of whiskey. Pot ale is currently used as an input for animal feed, but Ripcell’s technology harvests higher value chemicals such as lactic acid, which can be used across multiple chemical sectors such as cosmetics and pharmaceuticals. 

The startup is now also seeking to use its process on spent lees, the oily byproduct created during the second whiskey distillation phase, and that currently has no utility. According to Ripcell, the circular process could reduce the CO2 footprint of the chemicals industry by around 400,000 tons per year, while preventing millions of litres of spent lees from going to effluent plants. 

“Around 2.6 billion litres of wastewater is produced from the Scottish whisky industry every year, so the potential of this process is huge,” said Dr Eve Wildman, founder of Ripcell. “For decades, the majority of these co-products have been used as animal feed, but we have found a new, more valuable option to deal with spent lees that could change the ways in which distilleries manage and process their residues.

“At the same time, this could be transformational for the chemicals industry. By taking a sustainable approach to manufacturing key compounds, rather than using fossil fuels, Ripcell can help to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from the production process. For every kilo of bio-chemicals produced, we can remove 1.59kg of harmful greenhouse gas emissions.”

A research project to validate the technology was supported with funding from the Industrial Biotechnology Innovation Centre (IBioIC), with samples of waste streams provided by whisky group Chivas Brothers from 12 of its distilleries across Scotland. Following the success of the feasibility study, the next phase will involve scaling up the separation process to prove its viability at an industrial scale.

“This project is a brilliant example of how we can add economic value by taking a circular approach to co-products and applying biotechnology,” said Dr Liz Fletcher, director of business engagement at IBioIC.

“For both whisky producers and the chemicals industry, this process marks a significant step forward in reducing the environmental impact of manufacturing. We look forward to supporting Ripcell throughout its next steps to bring the process closer to commercial application.”