Food supply chain waste offers potential source for new feedstock

York’s Green Chemistry Centre of Excellence, which launched the Biowaste Industrial Symbiosis Network at a Technology Fair in Santa Clara, California, has won a European Co-operation in Science and Technology (COST) grant to run the network.

The network, coordinated by PhD student Lucie Pfaltzgraff, aims to develop the valorisation of food supply chain waste as an alternative carbon source for bio-chemicals, bio-materials and bio-fuels by forging links between technology hubs across the world, overcoming technological barriers and reaching beyond first generation organic waste reuse and recycling such as composting and anaerobic digestion.

The network is already studying the potential of reuse of citrus residue and coffee waste as well as pea pods and cashew shells.

Professor James Clark, the Director of the University of York’s Green Chemistry Centre of Excellence, said: “As well as harnessing skills and expertise that cross scientific borders, covering biology, chemistry, biotechnology and food science and technology, the network will include experts in environmental and economic assessment. The EU support we are receiving is an acknowledgement that food supply chain waste is an important area of scientific study that has potential to change significantly the way we live.”

With industrial and academic scientists from China, UK, Spain, France, Greece, Finland, Cyprus, Vietnam, Italy, Germany and Brazil already participating, the BIS network is seeking new members with varied scientific backgrounds in any country, who share a common interest in food supply chain valorisation.