La Creme Patisserie, a manufacturer known for handmade cakes, desserts, and patisseries, has entered into a unique partnership with Lux Biotech, a biotechnology firm based in Port Talbot. This collaboration was facilitated by Swansea University, aiming to transform what was once considered waste into a valuable resource.
La Creme produces approximately 50,000 cakes weekly, resulting in nutrient-rich effluent from their water-cutting machine process. Traditionally considered waste, this effluent is now collected and repurposed by Lux Biotech. Founded by Dr. Chris Charles, Lux Biotech uses this material to develop bacteria-based products useful in areas such as agriculture and water treatment, positioning waste as a core resource.
Both companies benefit from this partnership. La Creme finds a solution for managing their waste stream cost-effectively, while Lux Biotech reduces production costs by utilizing this effluent. This collaboration exemplifies the circular economy, which values recycling as a means to reduce global carbon emissions. Currently, only 10% of used resources are recycled, and raising this percentage to 17% could significantly cut emissions.
Swansea University played a key role through its Applied Research for Circular Solutions (ARCS) team, which facilitates similar projects across various sectors. Funded by the UK Government’s Shared Prosperity Fund, ARCS supports ventures like packaging innovations and recycling initiatives. Lux Biotech's introduction to ARCS came via Neath Port Talbot Council's Economic Development team.
Moreover, ARCS helped Lux Biotech secure an Innovate UK Grant of nearly £50,000 to expand its operations and linked them to university departments for additional resources. Dr. Chris Charles of Lux Biotech expressed gratitude to ARCS, stating that their focused approach enabled significant cost savings and supported the start-up’s growth.
Robert Hindle of La Creme highlighted the innovative opportunity presented by ARCS to collaborate on waste management solutions: "Baking has always been a precise art with chemistry at the heart of it and now we can add biochemistry into the process too!"
Professor Gavin Bunting from ARCS outlined the benefits of such collaborations: "This is a great example of industrial symbiosis and the value of academic and industry collaboration... to find innovative solutions and support resilient, circular businesses."