Arda Biomaterials
Queen Mary University of London | Engineering and Materials Science

Turning brewing waste into useful biodegradable materials

The search for alternatives to persistent plastics has encouraged researchers to explore renewable, affordable materials. Brewers’ spent grain, a protein-rich by-product of beer production, is generated in large quantities worldwide and often ends up in animal feed or landfill. Its proteins could instead be transformed into useful materials, giving this industrial by-product a new purpose.

Oscar’s research will explore how proteins extracted from brewers’ spent grain can improve New Grain, a biodegradable, plastic- and animal-free leather alternative developed by Arda Biomaterials. He will investigate how extraction conditions affect material properties and how manufacturing techniques such as extrusion and tape-casting can support production at scale. The aim is to bring New Grain closer to industry standards for leather while making it easier to manufacture commercially. The project will also incorporate functionalised nanoparticles to introduce new properties, opening up potential applications beyond leather, including wearable electronics, robotic sensors and medical monitoring devices. Biodegradability and recyclability will also be assessed.

Working closely with Arda Biomaterials, the research could help bring New Grain to market and support the development of new products using the company's existing infrastructure. Ultimately, it aims to turn an abundant industrial by-product into a versatile source of sustainable materials, reducing reliance on conventional plastics.