Research Paper

Researchers at the Environmental Research Institute (UHI) have developed a sustainable way to treat whisky industry wastewater, as recently published in Environmental Technology & Innovation

The study, led by Ilgaz Cakin, explored how biochar, a carbon-rich material made from waste biomass, can be used to clean “spent lees”, the acidic, copper-rich by-product of whisky distillation. The team found that a specially engineered biochar could successfully remove dissolved copper, balance acidity, and reduce effluent toxicity to plants and bacteria. This low-cost, circular approach highlights how waste material can be repurposed to provide part of a new solution, offering a practical and scalable method for distilleries to protect the environment. The findings not only support sustainability within Scotland’s whisky sector but also demonstrate the wider potential for food and drink industries worldwide.

📄 Read the full paper here: Applying biochar to treat and detoxify whisky distillery effluent - ScienceDirect