Decarbonising the Agri-food Sector: SEPPURE and GIIAVA Partner to Build World’s First Commercial-Scale Membrane Facility for Soy Lecithin Processing

  • SEPPURE and GIIAVA signed an MoU to advance the adoption of chemical-resistant membrane technology in plant-based oil production processes. The companies will work together to develop the process solution and implement the technology in a soy lecithin production facility in Singapore.

  • Trials consistently demonstrated reduction up to 50% in energy consumption and 90% in greenhouse gases (GHG) emissions.

SEPPURE and GIIAVA signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to jointly develop an industrial-scale implementation of nanofiltration membrane technology to decarbonise soy lecithin manufacturing. This collaboration project is the world’s first commercial application of chemical-resistant nanofiltration membranes in plant-based oil extraction and refining processes.

As consumers transition to more sustainable food sources, the environmental impact of upstream processes is becoming increasingly important in the carbon equation. Chemical separation processes that turn agricultural produce into fats, oils, proteins, and other ingredients are still one of the largest carbon sources in the plant-based food value chain. SEPPURE’s new generation of nanofilters directly addresses this problem by eliminating heat throughout the entire chemical separation process, making it more sustainable and economical.

The partnership will see SEPPURE designing, fabricating, and integrating its nanofiltration membrane technology onto a process skid the size of a 20-footer container that will interface directly with existing process lines within GIIAVA’s soy lecithin facility in Singapore. The industrial nanofiltration system will be equipped with sensors and data processing capabilities to monitor performance and ensure optimal operation over the lifetime of the asset.

SEPPURE Founder and CEO/CTO Dr Mohammad Farahani said, “As the world’s first soy lecithin processing facility to be retrofitted with chemical-resistant membrane technology, the GIIAVA plant in Singapore will be a game-changer for the agri-food industry. This project will pave the way for the adoption of more sustainable and more energy-efficient agri-food processes that rely less on fossil fuels for its chemical separation needs.”

The planned industrial implementation of SEPPURE nanofiltration technology represent a major milestone for the CleanTech start-up. SEPPURE started working with GIIAVA in 2020 to test its solvent-resistant membrane technology for soy lecithin applications. The trial consistently demonstrated reductions up to 50% in energy consumption and 90% in GHG emissions. GIIAVA expects to save a 5- to 6-figure sum annually from energy savings.

“While chemical separation is one of the most critical aspects of GIIAVA’s operations, existing processes are energy intensive, and incur significant costs for us,” said Dr Yashodhan Bhawe, Owner and Technical Director of GIIAVA.

He added, “The successful trial completed in early 2021 affirms our confidence in the product, having seen its robustness using an industry feed solution. We now look forward to implementing this technology on a larger scale within our production facilities and benefitting from major cost and energy savings.”

Outcomes of the recent COP26 event and renewed commitments toward the 2030 climate targets to align with the Paris Agreement temperature goals puts SEPPURE in a strong position, as it continues its rapid growth globally. In May last year, SEPPURE opened its new application test lab and office in Alberta, Canada to work with its North American clients. Building on the momentum, SEPPURE has onboarded major agri-food producers in its piloting programmes that are well on their way towards industrial implementation.

About SEPPURE

SEPPURE is a Singapore-based CleanTech start-up enabling sustainable and heat-free chemical separation.  SEPPURE’s patented chemical-resistant nanofiltration technology replaces existing energy-intensive chemical separation processes across multiple industries, including the vegetable oil, pharmaceutical, semiconductor, petrochemical, and oil industries. SEPPURE’s innovative solution of separating chemical mixtures without heat through chemical-resistant nanofiltration membranes reduces energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions by 90%, and operating costs by 50%. Discover more at www.seppure.com

About GIIAVA

GIIAVA is one of the largest manufacturer and exporter of Soya Lecithin Powder and Liquid, with our de-oiling plants in Singapore and India. The Company has plants dedicated for manufacturing Soya and Sunflower lecithin powders and liquids for various applications in food, animal feed, and nutrition industry. GIIAVA exports its products to more than 25 countries in Europe, Southeast Asia, and Middle East. GIIAVA has developed new processes in their research facilities in India and in Singapore. Discover more at www.giiava.com