Cars in the future could be running on fuel made from the by-products of brewing and distilling thanks to a new research project at the University of Abertay Dundee. Researchers in Abertay’s School of Contemporary Sciences have been awarded a Carnegie Trust Research Grant to investigate turning residues from beer and whisky processes into biofuel. The year long project will look at new methods of turning spent grain into bioethanol.

Commenting on the project Professor Graeme Walker, the project leader said; “Scientists all over the world are trying to find a simple and cost effective way to produce more biofuels from waste or low value products."

He continued; “Our research will be looking at the far more complicated process of turning waste products from industry into bioethanol as an example of a second-generation biofuel. These products are currently disposed of or processed for animal feed and turning them into fuel would be an attractive use of the resource.

“At the moment many technical challenges remain to converting waste biomass into fuel. We will focus on finding more efficient and cost effective processes.”