NEW TECH FOODS

Meridian Biotech has announced plans to construct a $40 million facility in Franklin County, Kentucky, aimed at converting spent grains from the Buffalo Trace Distillery into multifunctional alternative proteins. This initiative addresses a significant challenge within the distilling industry: the management of distillery byproducts, particularly distiller’s spent grains and distillers dried grain.

With the bourbon and whiskey production processes generating substantial volumes of spent grains, distillers have long sought sustainable solutions for these byproducts. Buffalo Trace Distillery, which has ramped up production capabilities with a new column still capable of producing over 2,000 barrels per day, has partnered with Meridian Biotech to repurpose these grains into valuable resources.

The new facility will be strategically located near Buffalo Trace Distillery, allowing for a direct pipeline to transport stillage – a natural byproduct of the distillation process – into Meridian's processing plant. This innovative approach will enable the conversion of stillage into proteins suitable for various applications, including aquaculture feed, pet food and organic fertilisers.

Brandon Corace, president of Meridian Biotech, highlighted the transformative potential of this project: “By reimagining distillery stillage as a resource rather than a byproduct, we’re pioneering new pathways in biotechnology that have the potential to transform the spirits industry”. The facility is expected to create approximately 35 high-tech jobs, contributing to the local economy.

The collaboration between Meridian and Buffalo Trace highlights a growing trend in the food and beverage sector towards sustainability and waste reduction. Harlen Wheatley, master distiller at Buffalo Trace, noted the importance of this partnership in enhancing the value derived from the distillation process. “Working with Meridian allows us to take our processes even further by transforming stillage into something with extended value and purpose,” he said.

Meridian's investment is not only significant for the local economy but also aligns with broader efforts to innovate within the spirits industry. Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear remarked on the positive economic impact of the project, stating: “It’s partnerships like these that prove we can honour tradition while embracing transformation”.

The facility is expected to begin construction later this year, with Meridian Biotech also planning to collaborate with Kentucky State University to provide internships and engage with the engineering department, further fostering local talent and innovation.