Netherlands’ best practices in circular agrifood & biomass in the spotlight
News
17 October 2023
Food and materials for a sustainable future
On Wednesday, October 18th 2023, the new publication “Circular agrifood & biomass: Food and materials for a sustainable future” was launched. Jolijn Zwart-van Kessel (Foodvalley NL) and Freek van Eijk (Holland Circular Hotspot) handed the publication to Piet Adema, Minister of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality during the economic mission on green hydrogen, circular waste treatment and future-oriented agriculture and horticulture in South-Africa.
The publication gives an insight into a variety of current circular best practices and a glimpse into future entrepreneurial opportunities. It also presents lessons learned from collaborating governments, knowledge institutions and business active in the field of Dutch agrifood production to valorise its residual streams that can add value worldwide.
“I am proud that many of the innovative Foodvalley NL partners are mentioned in this publication as game changers. Many more partners are actively involved and draw on their day-to-day practices in our various initiatives. For example, working collectively in the Foodvalley NL Upcycling Community to upcycle waste streams to consumers. Together, more and better circular solutions can be developed and implemented worldwide.”
Upcycling technologies, collaboration and biomass essential part of circular economy
This publication takes the reader through ways of reuse within the cultivation system, valorisation within the food chain by upcycling, substitution, and biomass applications outside the agrifood sector. These are promising solutions to ecological and environmental issues like the growing global population, the increase in prosperity and finiteness of certain raw materials.
Act on dilemmas to meet expected demand 2050
The global demand for biomass will increase enormously towards 2050. Whether or not the supply of sustainably produced biomass can grow at the same rate as the demand remains to be seen. On what raw material to source for, what purpose and ecosystem shifts are complex and politically sensitive.
The publication acts as a toolbox and source of inspiration for practitioners on how to find a new balance in this transition. Their best practices are a promising way to address and act on the the global dilemma.
“Globally, we see increasing competition between food, feed and biomass for materials, chemicals and energy. This publication is a toolkit and source of inspiration to rebalance this transition for everyone working in (circular) agrifood & biomass sectors. We aim to inspire and help accelerate and scale up sustainable business opportunities everywhere..”
Great collaborative effort
As a Practice Leader shaping the future of circular agrifood we inspire, facilitate and collaborate to innovate together with a variety of partners in a sectoral cross-cutting ecosystem. This way we work on viable businesses and new healthy, sustainable sectors.
As a co-author, we are glad to put Foodvalley partners in the spotlight in the publication. Thanks to a great collaborative effort with Holland Circular Hotspot, The Netherlands Enterprise Agency, The Netherlands Ministry of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality, the Ministry Infrastructure and Watermanagement, and Research and the Topsector Agri & Food.
