Upcycling whey into a healthy drink

Challenge

In Kosovo, the release into the environment of whey from cheese-making is a major environmental problem: the pollution caused is thought to be equivalent to that caused by 100,000 to 200,000 people. At the same time, whey is a product that contains large quantities of protein, fat and sugar, and can be used to make many other dairy products.

Innovative solution

The partners have developed a new product and set up a production line to make milk drinks from whey recovered from cheese production. This pilot project enabled the local partner to confirm the market’s interest in this type of drink and to launch industrial production.

Impact

• Introduction of whey-based dairy drinks on the Kosovar market, providing an additional source of good quality protein for healthier consumption patterns
• Preventing the dumping of whey in the environment by turning it into a source of income
• Job creation linked to the production and marketing of these new products