6 MiMfg Magazine January / February 2023
MFG Game Changers
Addressing Global Food Waste Challenges with Local Technology
Imagine a world where less food is wasted , where hungry families have more resources , where the planet is a cleaner place . Now imagine being able to accomplish that while creating additional revenue streams for businesses .
Two Michigan companies have worked together to address these critical issues by developing the RENU ™ Drying and Milling System .
Created by GTF Technologies and engineered with MMA member DISHER , RENU ™ simultaneously dehydrates and mills fruits , vegetables and plants , creating powders that can safely be used as ingredients in foods , pet foods and beverages , as well as for bioplastics , fertilizers and vitamins . The powders are lightweight , easy to transport , do not require additives and have a long shelf life — and the entire process only takes seconds , making it an energyefficient solution .
Among other services , Zeelandbased DISHER provides engineering support , manufacturing technology advancements , product development and other innovative solutions to manufacturing companies . Their mission is to make a positive difference and leave the world better than they found it .
In early 2021 , Ada-based GTF realized current technology
Gary Schuler ( left ), Founder and President of GTF Technologies , stands in front of images of powders made from the RENU™ System with Barb Weaver , Director of Marketing at GTF Technologies , and Jim Weaver , GTF CEO .
was deficient for upcycling foods on a commercially viable scale . They reached out to DISHER to help them design the RENU™ System from scratch .
“ Our vision is to make a positive difference , and this product meets our mission 110 percent ,” says Laura Anthony , Marketing Content Manager at DISHER .
The RENU ™ System , which stands for Rapid Extraction and Nutrient Upcycling , is a marketleading technology that has unlimited potential to address food waste and make a positive environmental and financial impact . DISHER Engineer Joshua
Manninen says that because the
The GTF Technologies RENU™ System , engineered with DISHER , is used on site at the GTF facility in Ada . Additional systems can be customized for each customer ’ s needs for use at their locations
Learn More About Our Gamechangers
DISHER Headquarters : Zeeland
Phone : 833-282-3730 Web : disher . com
GTF Technologies Headquarters : Ada
Phone : 616-803-8483 Web : gtf-technologies . com
mill would be located inside businesses , the system can be an instantaneous extension of food processing . This would reduce rotting , reduce the amount of food in landfills and eliminate the need to transport leftover foods or send them for composting . Take a commercial vegetable or fruit farm , for example . Leftover produce could be milled into powders with plenty of nutrients before spoiling , creating another stream for farmers .
“ The potential is there to partner with many charitable organizations to get food to people ,” Anthony says .
Manninen says they still have pilot testing to complete and that patents are pending for the milling process . However , as the product continues to develop and various capabilities are designed , the utilization of this groundbreaking Michigan-made technology could become transformational on a global scale . 6