EDEN MILL ANNOUNCE LONG-TERM PARTNERSHIP WITH BIOTECH MIALGAE
Independent Scottish distillery Eden Mill has announced a partnership with leading Scottish biotech
company, and Earthshot Prize finalists, MiAlgae, to repurpose whisky effluent, a by-product of
distillation, to grow microalgae as a sustainable source of Omega-3s.
Global demand for Omega-3s, traditionally sourced from wild-caught fish, is driving unsustainable
overfishing - with 16 million tonnes of wild-caught oceanic fish annually.
MiAlgae offers a circular solution by growing algae – the original source of Omega-3s – through an
innovative process that eliminates the need for fish, ensuring a stable and sustainable supply of these
essential nutrients.
In this first of-its-kind partnership with a distillery, MiAlgae will utilise whisky by-products from Eden
Mill’s distillation process to nurture Omega-3-rich microalgae. MiAlgae's process operates at scale and is
cost effective, ensuring sustainability remains affordable without compromising impact.
Eden Mill has installed an effluent storage tank at its distillery as they progress toward the completion of
their brand home, located just seven minutes from St Andrews. Due to re-commence distillation early in
2025, Eden Mill will open its doors to visitors from Spring onwards.
Commenting on the partnership, Rennie Donaldson, Chief Executive Officer at Eden Mill, said: “We are
delighted to announce our long-term partnership with MiAlgae, making use of their advanced
bio-technology to create sustainable Omega-3 from our distillery’s effluent waste. Sustainability is a
hugely important part of our distillery plans, and for our business as a whole, so the team are excited to
see a by-product given an environmentally friendly second-use.”
Douglas Martin, Founder and Managing Director at MiAlgae, said: “By partnering with Eden Mill, we
will use nutrients from their distillery by-products to grow our eco-friendly Omega-3-rich microalgae.
We’ll also upcycle the effluent to clean water. Their shared commitment to sustainability aligns perfectly
with our mission to advance biotechnology for good.”
MiAlgae has recently been recognised as a finalist for the prestigious Earthshot Prize - founded by Prince
William to find ‘the most innovative solutions to the world’s greatest environmental challenges’. What’s
more, the firm also secured £14 million in funding to accelerate its operations and scale production to
meet surging global demand.
Eden Mill will distil both gin and single malt Scotch whisky in its new distillery, which will also feature a
retail space and cafe, as well as a bar on the top floor looking out over the Eden Estuary. More detail on
the visitor centre and ticket bookings will be available soon.