WASTE2FUNC builds platform to convert food waste into bioplastics and biosurfactants
WASTE2FUNC , a European BBI-JU funded project has been granted a 6,7 M € budget to build a platform to efficiently collect food waste from agriculture , food industry , supermarkets , auctions and restaurants . These food wastes are currently often discarded , left on the field or incinerated and thus show no value . They will become valuable raw materials to be converted into bioplastics and biosurfactants , with applications in cosmetics , household – and personal care products . This conversion process uses industrial biotechnology . The project brings together 12 partners from 5 countries , including SMEs , large enterprises such as Croda , Evonik and Ecover , research institutes and agricultural associations . The platform 62 FDPP - www . fdpp . co . uk will decrease CO2 emissions by at least 20 %, increase value from waste 2-10 fold and create jobs for the primary and downstream sector in Belgium and Europe .
WASTE2FUNC will contribute to a more sustainable industry by using renewable resources and by its circular approach .
Currently , food waste flows , such as fruit and vegetables that don ’ t meet the standards or bad batches from food processing companies that no longer can be sold , often don ’ t have a potential end-use route . Consequently , they just rot on the field , are discarded or even incinerated , which leads to unnecessary CO2 emissions .
WASTE2FUNC can offer a solution to this problem . Project Coordinator Sofie Lodens explains : “ These emissions can be avoided by using these streams to convert them in to high-value products . TripleW , an Israeli / Belgian SME and Ghent University together with the Bio Base Europe Pilot Plant have developed technology to convert mixed batches of food waste into functional ingredients , more specific lactic acid and microbial biosurfactants respectively , that can be used for the production of bioplastics and personal- and home care applications respectively .