Swansea University has joined forces with Welsh nutrition company BIOVIT on a new Innovate UK-backed research project that aims to convert fruit-processing waste into a commercially viable source of natural vitamin C.

The collaboration will investigate how by-products generated during food manufacturing can be transformed into high-value ingredients for use in food, beverage and dietary supplement applications, supporting the shift towards more circular production systems.

Based in Tenby, Pembrokeshire, BIOVIT develops natural vitamins and minerals for food, drink and supplement manufacturers, with a focus on replacing synthetic micronutrients with plant-derived alternatives. The latest project aligns with the company's wider ambition to develop sustainable, clean label ingredients while reducing waste across the food supply chain.

According to BIOVIT, as much as 60% of the vitamins and minerals naturally present in fruit and vegetables can be lost during food manufacturing. The research will explore whether these nutrients can instead be recovered using green chemistry and biotechnology, creating a scalable route to natural vitamin C production.

The work brings together BIOVIT with Swansea University's Natural Products BioHUB, a UK Research and Innovation-supported centre that helps businesses develop commercial applications for natural products across sectors including health and nutrition, agriculture and sustainable food systems.

Dr Farooq Shah, Director of Swansea University's Natural Products BioHUB, said the collaboration demonstrates how research and industry can work together to create value from materials that would otherwise be discarded.

"We're taking something traditionally viewed as waste and exploring whether it can become part of the solution to some of the biggest challenges facing modern food systems," he said.

Professor Chedly Tizaoui, Professor of Chemical Engineering at Swansea University, added that the project combines scientific innovation with commercial relevance by applying advanced green extraction technologies to recover valuable micronutrients from fruit-processing residues and establish a scalable manufacturing process.

Ky Wright, founder and CEO of BIOVIT, said the partnership supports the company's mission to develop natural alternatives to synthetic vitamins.

"Most supplements and fortified foods still rely on artificial vitamins, often produced through synthetic processes. We believe there is a better way. Working with Swansea University gives us access to the research expertise needed to develop natural vitamin C from fruit-processing waste."

If successful, the project could enable BIOVIT to expand its portfolio of circular ingredients for food, beverage and supplement manufacturers while contributing to UK and Welsh Government ambitions around net zero, food security and circular economy innovation.

The announcement builds on recent recognition for BIOVIT's work in sustainable ingredient innovation. Earlier this year, the company received both the Enabling Technologies for Ingredients award and the overall Innovation of the Year title at the IFE Manufacturing Ingredients Awards 2026, held in association with the Institute of Food Science & Technology (IFST).

The judges recognised BIOVIT's Circular Vitamin C technology, highlighting its potential to create high-value natural vitamin C from food industry by-products while supporting more circular food production.