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Translating Distillery Expertise into Biotech Innovation

Client: Various
Location: Various
Delivered by: Allen Associates (HPE) Ltd

Overview

Allen Associates has increasingly applied its deep process engineering expertise from the whisky and distilling industry to the growing biotech and bio-based manufacturing sector.

This includes working with Celtic Renewables, MiAlgae, and Rothes Corde Ltd, where our understanding of fermentation, separation, heat integration, Aspen Modelling and co-product handling has added significant value.

biotech plant render

Objectives

  • Repurpose distillery design knowledge to solve process challenges in sustainable biotech applications.
  • Deliver efficient solutions for fermentation, solvent recovery, and nutrient reuse.
  • Support clients in achieving decarbonisation, water reuse, and circular economy targets.

Approach

CELTIC RENEWABLES – Solvent Recovery & Co-Product Treatment

At the forefront of Scotland’s bioeconomy, Celtic Renewables produces sustainable bio-butanol through fermentation of food industry residues. Allen Associates supported the optimisation of the solvent recovery system using AspenTech tools.

  • Aspen Plus® models were developed for key solvent recovery columns.
  • The model was benchmarked against operating data then optimised for product yield and purity.
  • The project included recommendations for increasing product yield and purity.
  • Completed FEED study for project Catkin.

MIALGAE

MiAlgae upcycles spent yeast and pot ale from distilleries to grow algae rich in omega-3 oils. Allen Associates advised on sterilisation protocols for media preparation for fermentation.

ROTHES CORDE LTD

Rothes Corde processes whisky by-products into green electricity and digestate for agriculture. Allen Associates provided engineering design input to optimise cooling system integration with new processes.

Client Value

By bringing cross-sector insight and robust simulation skills, Allen Associates has helped biotech pioneers optimise their processes. Our background in distilling — from fermentation kinetics and modelling distillation to heat recovery — has proven directly applicable in modern biotech, supporting both sustainability and scalability.

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