In December 2018, it was revealed that researchers at the University of Sheffield were looking at possible uses for abandoned Christmas trees. This has, of course, implications for the environment as pine needles take a long time to decompose and "emit huge quantities of greenhouse gases" as they rot.
In order to save abandoned Christmas trees from the landfill and to contribute to a more circular economy, the innovators are developing processes that can utilize their pine needles and turn them into useful products such as food sweeteners and even paint. Cynthia Kartey, a Ph.D. student from the University of Sheffield's Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, was spearheading the project: "My research has been focused on the breakdown of this complex structure into simple, high-valued industrial chemical feedstocks such as sugars and phenolics, which are used in products like household cleaners and mouthwash."
Pine Needle Food Sweeteners
Researchers are Finding Use for Abandoned Christmas Trees
Trend Themes
1. Circular Economy Products From Abandoned Christmas Trees - The use of pine needles in products such as food sweeteners and paint presents a disruptive innovation opportunity in the circular economy space.
2. Sustainable Production of Food Sweeteners - Developing processes to extract sugars from pine needles presents an opportunity for disruptive sustainable food sweetener production.
3. Utilization of Waste Products for Industrial Chemical Feedstocks - The use of pine needles for the production of industrial chemical feedstocks presents a disruptive innovation opportunity in the waste utilization space.
Industry Implications
1. Food and Beverage - The development of sustainable food sweeteners from pine needles presents a disruptive innovation opportunity in the food and beverage industry.
2. Paint and Coating - The use of pine needles in the production of paint presents a disruptive innovation opportunity in the paint and coating industry.
3. Chemical Manufacturing - The utilization of pine needles for the production of industrial chemical feedstocks presents a disruptive innovation opportunity in the chemical manufacturing industry.