By-products from food production should be utilized

(CONNECT) Circunis, a project of the Zurich-based association Mehr als zwei, and the University of Applied Sciences and Arts Northwestern Switzerland (FHNW) are testing the extent to which the Circunis B2B marketplace can be used to keep food and by-products from production in circulation instead of ending up as waste, according to a press release.

The aim is to recycle leftovers such as whey, shells or seeds in the future, as is already working well for end products. "Spent grains can be turned into crispy potato chips and potato peelings into innovative packaging material," says Circunis, explaining the project. According to Managing Director Olivia Menzi, the expansion to include by-products not only reduces food waste, but also triggers innovation.

The offer is also open to companies that do not come from the traditional food industry, as by-products without food quality may also be offered. This makes the distribution channel particularly suitable for agricultural businesses. On the one hand, they could use by-products as animal feed and, on the other, find buyers for their own production waste.

Interested companies have the opportunity to post their requests and offers online free of charge during the test phase. Companies that find what they are looking for on the marketplace inform Circunis of their asking price. If this differs by a maximum of 20 percent from the offer or application, Circunis will establish contact. The project also aims to make the diversity and quantity of side streams visible for the first time. ce/heg