Healthier Food, Less Waste: How Pennotec Is Making a Difference
Pennotec is leading innovative food projects that turn natural by-products into healthier, sustainable ingredients – all while supporting local businesses and tackling childhood obesity in Wales.
Who We’re Working With
This work is funded by Welsh Government’s Food & Drink Division and Innovate UK, through the Small Business Research Initiative (SBRI). We’ve teamed up with a range of expert partners through two major projects:
SBRI & STOP Projects
- CyberColloids Ltd (Cork, Ireland)
- Bangor University’s BioComposites Centre
- Food Technology Centre, Coleg Menai, Llangefni
Decarbonisation & Covid Recovery Challenge
MilaCel Plus
What’s the Goal?
- To create cost-effective, healthier food options using food production by-products.
- To help reduce childhood obesity in Wales.
- To support the local food economy and reduce waste.
From Waste to Wonder: Apple Fibre Innovation
We’ve developed a new functional food ingredient from apple pomace—the leftover pulp from apple juice and cider making.
- Sourced from Welsh producers, including Jaspels in Anglesey
- Refined into a clean, natural fibre that’s rich in nutrition
- Available in multi-tonne quantities, making it scalable for real-world use
Tested in Real Recipes Kids Love
The apple fibre has been tested as a fat and sugar replacement in popular school menu items from meat dishes and gravies to sponges, yoghurts, and baked goods. With help from The Pudding Compartment, we’ve also created Lower-fat, lower-sugar Welsh cakes and healthier cookies and brownies. Our food trials across North Wales included School- children, their parents and even opera legends at national events!
Feedback highlights:
- Foods made with the new fibre taste great
- They offer a nutritious, natural alternative without compromising flavour or texture
What’s Next?
We’re continuing to develop and refine both the apple fibre and apple syrup ingredients. Ongoing testing is helping us explore even more ways to use these in everyday foods. We are reaching out to manufacturers who might have interest in sampling and helping develop uses for the products. If you would be interested, please don’t hesitate to contact us.
