Biotechnology company Lux Biotech is based in Port Talbot and is developing a process to turn waste into bacteria with a range of uses.
Cake cuttings from family-run La Creme Patisserie in Swansea will be used to grow the bacteria used for a product to clear pollution.
La Creme Patisserie manufacturers around 50,000 cakes per week alongside desserts and patisseries.
Its clients span the UK and include Cheltenham Racecourse and the Royal Palaces.
The patisserie uses a water-cutting machine to slice large batches of cake which creates an “effluent” byproduct that is rich in nutrients.
Traditionally, the effluent would be considered waste and the company had to pay to have it disposed of and treated.
Instead, advisers from Swansea University connected the patisserie with Lux Biotech which was set up by graduate doctor Chris Charles.
Robert Hindle from La Creme Patisserie said: “After having been approached by the Applied Research for Circular Solutions (ARCS) team for support with novel ways of tackling waste and by-products we saw this as a fantastic opportunity to collaborate with local enterprises to create really innovative solutions.”
La Creme said that the partnership means that it no longer has to pay to have the effluent disposed of, saving it money.
Robert continued: “Baking has always been a precise art with chemistry at the heart of it and now we can add biochemistry into the process too!
“Working with ARCS team has helped us bring principles of the circular economy into our procurement, product design and process flows, which is helping to make us a better and more resilient business.”
Applied Research for Circular Solutions (ARCS) at Swansea University
ARCS works with businesses across Swansea, Neath Port Talbot, Carmarthenshire and Pembrokeshire to enhance the circular economy.
Supported by the UK government’s Shared Prosperity Fund, it supports circular businesses in areas such as packaging for returning products, turning beach plastic into new products and recycling after music festivals.
Lux Biotech was introduced to ARCS through the Neath Port Talbot Council Economic Development team, who run regular events for businesses in the county.
As well as setting up the link with La Creme, the ARCS team have also helped Lux secure an Innovate UK Grant of nearly £50,000 to help scale the business.
Doctor Chris Charles from Lux Biotech said: “Working with the ARCS teams has been totally different from my previous experiences of working in academia; they delivered the project in a focused and rapid manner and put my goals and business first.
“Using the effluent from La Creme we’ve been able to significantly cut our production costs, savings which are vital for a growing start-up. We wouldn’t be where we are today without the ARCS team.”
Professor Gavin Bunting from the ARCS team added: “This is a great example of industrial symbiosis and the value of academic and industry collaboration. Applied Research is all about bringing theory to life to create real-world solutions.
“When companies come to ARCS with a problem, we combine our cross-sector expertise with creative ideas to find innovative solutions and support resilient, circular businesses that are more economically and environmentally sustainable.”
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