Valorization of Side-Streams

Background

The increasing global demand for food leads to a concomitant growth of food industry by-products. From an economical and environmental perspective, the need for efficient side-stream management is crucial for a circular food value chain and the valorization of underutilized biomass. Within the wide variety of food products, vegetable-based side-streams provide a versatile source of renewable biomaterials with peculiar properties. Recognizing food production side-streams as valuable raw-materials is the first step towards a sustainable use of resources and the conversion of agri-food residues into higher added value products. Since the crops are intended for food production and human consumption, the on-filed residues are biomaterial of food grade quality. This provides the unique opportunity to reintroduce plant-derived products into the food value chain and the use in food applications.