The BETTED Framework: A Systemic Approach to Energy Transition and Circularity in the Dairy Industry

The dairy value chain contributes significantly to the food sector, but is also one of its most energy- and resource-intensive sub-sectors. To address the urgent need for decarbonization, the EU-funded BETTED project (“Boosting the Energy Transition of Dairy value chain”, LIFE22-CET project grant number 101120856) proposes a fundamental shift from the traditional, carbon-intensive dairy value chain towards a circular and more energy self-sufficient dairy supply chain with limited carbon emissions. Instead of relying on isolated interventions, BETTED adopts a value chain approach that redefines how energy, materials, and waste are managed across production and distribution, aiming to reduce dependency on non-renewable energy sources and high CO2 emissions. The project promotes the integration of renewable energy sources, such as biogas from manure fermentation and solar energy, coupled with energy efficiency measures and innovative technologies, including absorption chillers, heat pumps, and cogeneration. Waste is reframed as a resource to be valorized through industrial symbiosis and regenerative flows, contributing to resilience and long-term competitiveness. A key element of BETTED is the development of a toolbox for mapping and evaluating energy use, environmental impact, and economic implications across the entire value chain. This supports stakeholders in identifying tailored energy efficiency and renewable energy strategies, while also considering behavioral, financial, and policy dimensions. By demonstrating the feasibility of circular transformation in such a complex sector, BETTED makes the dairy value chain a model for sustainable industrial production, showing the connections between energy systems, supply chains, and resource efficiency.