Understand how whey protein residue ceases to be an environmental problem, gains innovative industrial use, and helps reduce CO2 emissions with technology applied to sustainable food production and intelligent reuse on a global scale.

Written by Hilton Libório

Published on 20/05/2026 at 16:32

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Embrapa research reveals how whey protein reuse helps reduce CO2 emissions with circular economy and sustainable solutions.

The utilization of whey residue has gained prominence in Brazil after research conducted by Embrapa in partnership with UTFPR and Sooro Renner Nutrition revealed positive impacts on reducing carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from the dairy chain.

According to information from CNN Brazil on May 19, the study showed that transforming whey into whey protein and whey powder reduced the sector’s carbon footprint and eliminated a historical environmental liability. The material, previously improperly discarded, now forms part of circular economy strategies and advances in environmental technology.

Another important data pointed out by the researchers is that approximately 85% of CO2 emissions related to whey powder occur still in the production phase in the field. This indicates that improvements in primary production can generate a much greater environmental impact throughout the chain.

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How whey residue stopped threatening rivers and ecosystems

For many years, whey residue was considered one of the biggest environmental problems of the dairy industry. Whey has a high organic load and, when discarded into rivers, quickly reduces the oxygen levels in the water.

This process causes environmental imbalance and can lead to fish deaths and severe damage to aquatic ecosystems. Moreover, improper disposal wastes important resources used in milk production, such as:

Water
Energy
Land use
Animal feed

With the advancement of industrialization, the situation began to change. What was once treated as industrial waste is now reused by the food and nutrition industry.

Today, whey protein is present in sports supplements, functional foods, baking, and various industrialized products.

Whey protein gains space in circular economy strategies

The transformation of whey into a high-value-added ingredient has strengthened circular economy practices within the Brazilian dairy chain.

In practice, the industry has started to reuse a by-product that previously generated significant environmental impacts. This helped reduce waste and increase production efficiency.

According to researcher Thierry Ribeiro Tomich from Embrapa Dairy Cattle, the conversion of whey into powder goes beyond generating profit for companies. The strategy also represents a necessity linked to the operational sustainability of the chain.

In addition to reducing losses, the reuse of whey residue helps decrease CO2 emissions associated with the disposal and processing of industrial waste.

Environmental technology allowed for measuring real impacts in the dairy chain

To analyze the environmental impacts accurately, the researchers used the LCA methodology, known as Life Cycle Assessment.

The technique monitors all stages of production, from the field to industrial processing and transportation. This model is called “cradle-to-grave” analysis because it evaluates the entire product trajectory.

According to the study, it was the first time the methodology was applied in an integrated manner to whey in Brazil. Unlike previous research, the researchers evaluated together:

Primary production
Transportation
Industrial processing
Energy consumption
Water usage

This integration allowed for clearer identification of where the major environmental bottlenecks in the production chain are.

CO2 emissions are mainly concentrated at the field stage

The researchers found that about 85% of CO2 emissions related to whey powder production occur still in dairy production.

This means that changes at the initial stage of the chain can generate much greater environmental results than changes in packaging or the industrial energy matrix.

Thierry Ribeiro Tomich explained that the study offers a more accurate picture of the production chain by including transportation, rural production, and industrial processing in a single analysis.

Researcher Vanessa Romário de Paula from Embrapa Dairy Cattle highlighted that the initiative represents an important advance in environmental transparency and productive efficiency for the sector.

Real data from 2023 helps industry reduce environmental impacts

The research was divided into two main stages. First, the specialists mapped the milk production systems of suppliers linked to Sooro.

Then, real industrial data from the year 2023 were analyzed. Among the evaluated points were:

Energy consumption
Water usage
Industrial supplies
Transport
Greenhouse gas emissions

The information was made available for free on the SICV Brasil platform, maintained by IBICT.

According to researcher Thiago Oliveira Rodrigues, from IBICT, open access to data can facilitate new research and improve decision-making in the productive sector.

Circular economy and environmental technology help Brazil’s climate goals

The reuse of whey residue is also aligned with the environmental commitments assumed by Brazil in recent years.

Among them is the Global Methane Pledge, which aims for a 30% reduction in gas emissions by 2030.

Furthermore, practices of circular economy and environmental technology help the country advance in goals related to the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals.

The study also foresees the creation of an action plan with practical measures to reduce greenhouse gases at different stages of the dairy chain.

This initiative can help Brazilian companies meet increasing environmental demands in international markets.

New use of whey protein increases economic value and industrial sustainability

The growth of the whey protein market shows how sustainability and innovation can go hand in hand.

Beyond sports nutrition, the ingredient has gained space in processed foods, beverages, and functional products. This has increased the economic value of the dairy chain and strengthened the reuse of whey residue.

At the same time, the sector has started investing more in environmental technology solutions capable of reducing waste and cutting CO2 emissions.

With consumers more attentive to the origin of products and industrial sustainability, initiatives related to the circular economy are expected to gain even more relevance in the coming years.

With information from CNN Brasil

Understand how whey protein residue ceases to be an environmental problem, gains innovative industrial use, and helps reduce CO2 emissions with technology applied to sustainable food production and intelligent reuse on a global scale.

Embrapa research reveals how whey protein reuse helps reduce CO2 emissions with circular economy and sustainable solutions.

How whey residue stopped threatening rivers and ecosystems

Whey protein gains space in circular economy strategies

Environmental technology allowed for measuring real impacts in the dairy chain

CO2 emissions are mainly concentrated at the field stage

Real data from 2023 helps industry reduce environmental impacts

Circular economy and environmental technology help Brazil’s climate goals

New use of whey protein increases economic value and industrial sustainability

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Understand how whey protein residue ceases to be an environmental problem, gains innovative industrial use, and helps reduce CO2 emissions with technology applied to sustainable food production and intelligent reuse on a global scale.

Embrapa research reveals how whey protein reuse helps reduce CO2 emissions with circular economy and sustainable solutions.

How whey residue stopped threatening rivers and ecosystems

Whey protein gains space in circular economy strategies

Environmental technology allowed for measuring real impacts in the dairy chain

CO2 emissions are mainly concentrated at the field stage

Real data from 2023 helps industry reduce environmental impacts

Circular economy and environmental technology help Brazil’s climate goals

New use of whey protein increases economic value and industrial sustainability

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