A recent collaboration between French biotech company Standing Ovation and Bel Group has led to the successful industrial-scale production of caseins derived from dairy serums. This process, which utilizes precision fermentation, is a significant development for the dairy industry, demonstrating the feasibility of a more sustainable and circular approach to dairy production.
A circular approach to dairy
Standing Ovation’s patented technology transforms acid whey—a by-product of cheese production—into high-quality caseins, which are essential proteins used in various food products. The success of this industrial-scale production follows a series of optimizations and validates the potential of the process for widespread application in the dairy sector.
This advancement has been hailed as a step forward in creating a circular economy within the agri-food industry. By repurposing dairy co-products, the technology not only reduces waste but also strengthens food sovereignty by utilizing national resources.
Bel Group, which has been a partner in the development of this process, emphasized the alignment of this innovation with its own sustainability goals. Caroline Sorlin, Director of Investments and Start-up Collaborations at Bel Group, stated, “By transforming our cheese whey into high-value proteins, we give a second life to our by-products while significantly reducing our carbon footprint. This innovation shows that technological collaboration and environmental excellence can go hand in hand.”
A Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) of the technology has shown promising results. The assessment, certified ISO 14040/14044, indicates that the process significantly reduces CO₂ emissions by 74%, land use by 99%, and water consumption by 68% compared to traditional animal-derived caseins. These findings position the technology as a potential solution for dairy manufacturers working toward carbon neutrality and sustainability goals.
Olivier Ladet, Industrial Director at Standing Ovation, noted, “This industrial validation confirms the robustness of our technology and its ability to sustainably transform practices in the dairy industry. We now have a proven and replicable solution.”
“World-first achievement”
Standing Ovation, founded in 2020 by microbiologist Romain Chayot, specializes in precision fermentation and has received support from the French government and investors to expand its industrial efforts. With this recent achievement, the company continues to push toward its goal of becoming a global leader in food and environmental transformation, with plans to introduce its casein product to the US market in 2026.
Yvan Chardonnens, CEO of Standing Ovation, stated, “This world-first achievement proves that our industry can be profoundly transformed by generating significant nutritional, economic, and environmental value. Through our co-product valorization process, we are helping build a more resilient, sustainable, and sovereign dairy sector.”
