Innovation and Technology

Emerging technologies and management strategies often require thorough evaluation under California’s unique operating conditions. Innovations in animal care, manure handling and management, and crop production remain key areas of focus, while new opportunities continue to surface with the growing interest in robotics and artificial intelligence across the agricultural sector. To make informed decisions about whether and how to implement these advancements, producers, processors, and allied industry stakeholders rely on rigorous scientific and economic assessments.

2026 Research and Education Project Portfolio

Dairy Byproducts Valorization to Bioplastics*

RESEARCHER: Dr. Ruihong Zhang, UC Davis
TIMELINE: 2025 – 2026

This project is focused on turning a common dairy byproduct—whey permeate—into high-value, biodegradable plastic that can be used in food packaging. Using a natural fermentation process powered by microbes, researchers are exploring how to convert leftover sugars from cheese production into a type of bioplastic called Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA). Unlike traditional plastics, PHA can break down in the environment and has a much smaller carbon footprint. Early research showed promise, but more work is needed to fine-tune the process so it’s efficient, cost-effective, and produces a strong, flexible plastic suitable for real-world applications.

The goal is to create eco-friendly packaging from something that would otherwise go to waste. This project will improve the process for making PHA from whey permeate, test packaging prototypes like films and containers, and evaluate the economic feasibility of producing these products at scale. The outcome could give dairy producers new, sustainable uses for their byproducts while helping reduce plastic waste—turning what’s often seen as waste into a win for both the environment and the dairy industry.

*This project is funded in partnership with California Dairy Innovation Center and Dairy Management Inc.