Circular protein chain

RESIDUAL STREAMS IN THE CIRCULAR PROTEIN CHAIN

Waste-free cutlets and eggs are two examples of the kinds of circular chain concepts that a cluster of companies, government agencies, research institutes, and social organisations will be working on at the Circular Food Center. The objective is a circular animal protein chain in which large-scale and high-value processing of the residual streams is done to produce animal feed. Pigs and chickens can “upcycle” this food waste again into an animal protein product for human consumption such as meat or eggs. Only when residual streams are converted into animal feed on a larger scale will the ambition to reduce food waste in the Netherlands annually by 1 billion kilograms become achievable.

There are a number of reasons that make a circular animal protein chain desirable. Animal feed made from food waste has a CO2 footprint that is significantly lower than traditional animal feed. Circular animal feed also results in less pressure on natural resources, preservation of biodiversity, less dependency on the global raw materials market, and a resilient food system with sufficient nutritional food for everyone.

“At the Circular Food Center, a cluster of chain partners and research institutes is working on a circular animal protein chain. Co-products from the food chain play an important role in this. The co-products of animal origin are sourced locally, and they also have high nutritional value. In conjunction with a low carbon footprint, they ensure that the animal protein chain can become more efficient and healthier. This concept is therefore well-suited to the circular economy.”
Carine van Vuure
Carine van VuureDarling Ingredients (Sonac)
“If we want to move towards a circular feed and food system, then our concepts of the chain must be replaced or enhanced by circular business models. This translates to a value-driven collaboration between all stakeholders.” With Kipster chicken and pig feed, Nijsen has already proven that it is possible to transform waste into high-value sustainable food, and he sees participation in the Circular Food Center as the way to move from “thinking” to “acting”.
John Geurts
John GeurtsNijsen company

Voor meer informatie, download hier het Position Paper van Samen Tegen Voedselverspilling
‘Het onverkochte saucijzenbroodje terug de voedselketen in. Op naar een circulaire eiwitketen.’

WASTE-FREE ANIMAL PROTEIN PRODUCTS

The cluster at the Circular Food Center wants to market this narrative with valuable products. A circular cutlet on the menu or a waste-free egg on the shelves in the supermarket: these must be appealing to consumers and financially viable for businesses. Themes such as food safety and animal welfare are also important.”

In the cluster, businesses from throughout the chain work together on business models to produce distinct, circular products for supermarkets, speciality stores, or the out-of-home market. They want to scale innovations up to close cycles and are working on an appealing circular revenue model for all partners in the chain.

Participants

Participants in this cluster are: Boer Ruud, Darling Ingredients, FeedValid, Kipster, Kwaliflex, Looop, Nevedi, Nijsen company, Oranjehoen, Schothorst Feed Research, Smits Bron van Energie, Vitalvé, Zonvarken and the municipality of Meierijstad, the Ministry of Agriculture Nature and Food Quality, the Provinces of Noord-Brabant and Limburg, Rabobank en Wageningen University & Research.

© 2021 Stichting Samen Tegen Voedselverspilling. All Rights Reserved.