Solanesol From Potato Shaws Could Open New Revenue Streams for Growers
A cross-sector consortium in Scotland is developing a new commercial pathway for potato waste by extracting high-value compounds from discarded seed potato shaws. The initiative, involving the University of Aberdeen, the James Hutton Institute and farmer-owned co-operative Grampian Growers, aims to convert a long-standing by-product of seed potato production into new inputs for the cosmetics, pharmaceutical and nutraceutical industries.
The Scottish seed potato sector, valued at £24.2 million, generates more than 51,000 tonnes of shaws each year. These stems are removed as part of standard crop management to maintain tuber quality, storability and disease resistance, but are typically discarded. The project seeks to recover solanesol from this material—a compound used in the manufacture of coenzyme Q10 and vitamin K2 and currently sourced predominantly from tobacco.
According to the project partners, shifting solanesol production to potato by-products could reduce waste, cut carbon emissions and support new income streams for growers. With 12,800 hectares of seed potatoes grown in Scotland, the consortium estimates that up to 120 tonnes of solanesol could be produced annually, strengthening the circular economy and creating opportunities for rural communities.
The work is supported by Innovate UK through the Launchpad: Bio-based Manufacturing – Scotland programme, alongside input from Alder BioInsights and the Scottish Agricultural Organisation Society (SAOS).
Sofia Alexiou, Project Lead at Grampian Growers, said: “This project is particularly significant for Grampian Growers and the wider potato industry. It offers an opportunity to add value to agricultural by-products while addressing key challenges such as waste reduction and economic resilience. By unlocking new revenue streams, the project supports Scottish farmers and enhances the profitability of cooperative models, demonstrating the potential of innovation to strengthen rural economies.”
Professor Giovanna Bermano, Honorary Chair at the University of Aberdeen, noted: “This pioneering research lays the foundation for future innovation, ensuring that the UK is at the forefront of developing sustainable, eco-friendly natural products for the cosmeceutical sector. By demonstrating how agricultural by-products can be transformed into high-value compounds, the project sets the stage for subsequent research and commercialisation that will drive innovation, reduce environmental impact, and secure a competitive advantage for UK science and industry.”
Professor Heather Wilson, Chair in Immunology at the University of Aberdeen, added: “Exploring the quality and yield of solanesol extracted from locally sourced potato shaws—and evaluating its potential applications across the cosmeceutical and related industries represents an exciting and impactful area of research. This work not only supports the transition to ethical, tobacco free sourcing of high-value compounds, but also advances sustainable innovation showcasing how science can unlock new value from agricultural by-products and strengthen the resilience of rural communities across Scotland and beyond.”
