Food waste feedstock potential for biobased industries

Almost 75% of EU Food waste remains untapped

According to a recent report by the Bio-based Industries Consortium (BIC), nearly 75% of food waste generated in the EU remains uncaptured. This missed opportunity not only contributes to environmental challenges such as emissions from landfills but also leaves a valuable resource underutilized. At Smicon, we view this as both a challenge and an opportunity.

The EU has made strides in addressing this issue, with mandatory separate bio-waste collection now in place across Member States. However, as the report highlights, collection models vary greatly between countries, and the overall capture rate for bio-waste remains very low at just 26%. This underscores the need for stronger infrastructure, better processes, and innovative solutions to unlock the full potential of food waste.

Smicon’s role in advancing food waste recycling

Smicon has always been committed to providing cutting-edge machinery that turns organic waste into value. Our grinders, shredders, and depackaging solutions are specifically designed to help businesses and municipalities meet the growing demand for efficient bio-waste processing. By focusing on robust, customizable, and sustainable technologies, Smicon supports clients in capturing and valorizing bio-waste, transforming it into high-quality resources like biogas, compost, or animal feed.

Smicon aligns with the vision of BIC to actively contribute to a circular economy by empowering our clients to turn waste streams into valuable products. Whether it’s converting expired food products into biogas or producing clean material streams for reuse, our technology plays a critical role in improving the recycling process. Every year, Smicon solutions process over 5,000,000 tonnes of food waste—equivalent to 125,000 truckloads! With installations in 20+ countries, we’re helping businesses and municipalities reduce emissions and recycle smarter for a green future.

Looking ahead

We believe in the power of partnership. By working closely with industry leaders, municipalities, and businesses, we aim to create a shared vision of sustainability. Our solutions not only help reduce food waste but also contribute to reducing emissions and promoting resource efficiency.

As Europe moves toward the green transition, the role of innovative technologies like Smicon’s will become even more critical. By improving the efficiency and effectiveness of food waste recycling, we can help create a more sustainable future for generations to come.

For more information on how Smicon’s solutions can help you turn organic waste into value, contact us today!

Source: This article incorporates insights from the Bio-based Industries Consortium (BIC) report, as featured in Bioenergy Insight Magazine in November 2024.