Every year, Scottish seed potato farmers discard roughly 51,200 tonnes of potato haulms—the leafy stems and vines—after harvesting the tubers. This matters because those haulms contain solanesol, a high-value compound traditionally extracted from tobacco leaves and used as a precursor for coenzyme Q10 and vitamin K2 in cosmeceutical and pharmaceutical products. Global demand for solanesol has surged from 4,000 tonnes in the early 2000s to 66,000 tonnes by 2022, yet current supply relies on tobacco cultivation. The project aims to turn an agricultural waste stream into a sustainable, ethical source of this compound. If successful, the research could unlock up to 120 tonnes of solanesol from the 12,800 hectares of Scottish seed potatoes grown in 2024. That would create a new revenue stream for farmers, reduce reliance on tobacco, lower carbon emissions, and build a UK-based circular economy around potato co-products. The project will also develop carbon-neutral extraction methods and determine optimal ways to gather, store, and process haulms at scale. For the Scottish seed potato industry—valued at £24.2 million—this represents a practical shift from discarding by-products to manufacturing high-value ingredients.
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The Scottish seed potato industry, valued at £24.2m, produces approximately 51,200 tonnes of potato haulms annually as a by-product of seed potato cultivation. These haulms, essential for stopping tuber growth, are typically discarded in the field. However, they offer significant untapped potential, producing a high-value compound, Solanesol, used in the cosmeceutical, nutraceutical, and pharmaceutical industries. This innovative collaborative project between Grampian Growers Ltd, the James Hutton Institute, and University of Aberdeen aims to transform potato haulms into a valuable resource, addressing the global demand for sustainable solanesol alternatives. Solanesol, a precursor for coenzyme Q10 and vitamin K2, is traditionally derived from tobacco leaves. The project seeks to create an ethical and environmentally sustainable source of solanesol, reducing reliance on tobacco cultivation, lowering carbon emissions, and contributing to the circular economy. With the capacity to yield up to 120 tonnes of solanesol based on 12,800 hectares of Scottish seed potatoes grown in 2024, Solanesol could open new added value streams for farmers and will support a more resilient agricultural model. Key objectives include developing a resilient, resource-efficient manufacturing process to: ? Maximise resource value and minimise waste. ? Use carbon-neutral, eco-friendly extraction techniques. ? Validate the purity and biological effectiveness of solanesol-enriched extracts. ? Provide a scalable solution for potato growers to diversify income. 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. Pilot studies have shown that solanesol levels vary by potato variety, growing region, and harvest method. This project will determine the optimal ways to gather, store, and process haulms for scalable solanesol extraction. By fully exploiting the haulms, the project will provide an additional income stream for farmers, especially during suboptimal harvest years, and create a viable UK-based business centred on potato co-products. The project aligns with growing consumer demand for natural, bio-based products and addresses the rising global need for solanesol, which has increased from 4,000 tonnes in the early 2000s to 66,000 tonnes by 2022\. By leveraging this potential, the project will make more complete use of the potato biomass, reduce waste, and enhance economic opportunities for farmers and the cooperative members.
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