Method for extracting keratin is the name of the European patent that was granted to the Faculty of Biotechnology at the Universidade Católica Portuguesa. It is an innovative technology, in line with the circular economy and sustainability, which extracts keratin from pig hair. A technology that makes it possible to reduce the significant environmental burden of pig farms.

Developed by researchers from the Centre for Biotechnology and Fine Chemistry (CBQF) Manuela Pintado, Manuela Amorim, Raquel Madureira and Ana Pintado, this new technology consists of a simpler method, with lower economic costs and environmentally safer. With only two steps - commercial detergent digestion and ultrafiltration - this streamlined method eliminates washing, precipitation and purification steps.

Keratin has several applications in the areas of biomedical and cosmetics, so the patented technology is a contribution to the objectives of the circular economy and to the development of more sustainable solutions for agro-industrial production.

The Centre for Biotechnology and Fine Chemistry of the Faculty of Biotechnology of the Universidade Católica Portuguesa was responsible for framing the Research, Development and Innovation work and the Centre for Valorization and Technology Transfer (EBRI) monitored the process of protecting the knowledge produced.