Food Processing Waste and By-Products Utilisation Network (FoodWasteNet)
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Reading
Department Name: Food and Nutritional Sciences
Abstract
The exploitation of abundant food waste and by-products for the sustainable production of a variety of existing and novel products is recognised as a potential strategy for the prevention manufacturing waste. This is driven by environmental and consumer pressures, EU legislation and commercial demands for renewable, biobased products with positive carbon balance. There is a large body of research which seeks to develop products with market potential from such feedstocks, including vegetable and fruit trimmings, fruit and sugar pulps, cereal residues and spent cereal grains, and fish and meat wastes. This is achieved through extraction and post-extraction modification using a combination of industrial biotechnology (IB) and process engineering technologies. The target products include, but are not limited to, biopolymers, bioplastics, biocomposites, oleochemicals, and speciality and platform chemicals, and have existing or potential application in the chemical, pharmaceutical, food, packaging and construction industries. In order to achieve this, it is essential that we enhance our knowledge of the composition and potential uses of these feedstocks; how to apply existing and emerging technologies for extracting, fractionating and converting biocomponents from such feedstocks to bioproducts at large scale and in an efficient, environmentally friendly and cost-effective way.
To address the above challenges, a multidisciplinary approach is necessary and the proposed Network aims to bring together researchers and industrialists working in the areas of chemistry, microbiology, molecular biology, enzymology, microbial fermentation, chemical catalysis, polymer science, crop science, packaging and process engineering, with the view to develop novel platforms for the exploitation of these rich natural resources. The Network will run for 5 years, be open for new members and have a strong international dimension. It will be dynamic in its remit and evolve, adopting industry trends, advances in research capabilities, government policy and regulatory frameworks.
To address the above challenges, a multidisciplinary approach is necessary and the proposed Network aims to bring together researchers and industrialists working in the areas of chemistry, microbiology, molecular biology, enzymology, microbial fermentation, chemical catalysis, polymer science, crop science, packaging and process engineering, with the view to develop novel platforms for the exploitation of these rich natural resources. The Network will run for 5 years, be open for new members and have a strong international dimension. It will be dynamic in its remit and evolve, adopting industry trends, advances in research capabilities, government policy and regulatory frameworks.
Technical Summary
The aims of the network will be to foster the interaction between researchers and industrialists in order to realise the potential of using food waste and by-products to produce chemicals and biomaterials with market potential. For this, the Network will identify suitable feedstocks, novel products and product applications, and develop scalable technologies based on industrial biotechnology and process engineering for their sustainable production. A list of the main areas covered is provided below:
1. Feedstock availability and quality: Gather compositional data on food processing waste and by-products
2. Inter-dependencies between different streams of food processing wastes and supply chain issues
3. Market opportunities: Identify R&D opportunities to improve/create products in the chemical, pharmaceutical, food, packaging and construction sectors
4. Regulatory criteria: Evaluate the influence of regulation on R&D strategies
5. Biochemical tools: Identify novel sources of biocatalysts with enhanced properties and activities, through high throughput sequencing cloning and metabolic engineering
6. Biochemical process control: Gain a molecular understanding of enzyme function and how this may be manipulated through protein engineering
7. Processing technologies for biomass fractionation: Evaluate existing and emerging technologies including supercritical CO2 and hydrothermal extractions, ionic liquids, ultra-sonication, and enzyme and microbial processing
8. Functionalisation of polysaccharides and proteins: Link structure to functionality and identifying potential application opportunities
9. Synthesis of novel chemicals: Develop processes for the enzymatic or chemical synthesis of speciality chemicals and oleochemicals
10. Process design: Develop a toolbox to assist the design of whole processes
11. Life cycle assessment: Exploit the use of common tools for LCA
12. Ethical concerns: Customer acceptance of products derived from waste
1. Feedstock availability and quality: Gather compositional data on food processing waste and by-products
2. Inter-dependencies between different streams of food processing wastes and supply chain issues
3. Market opportunities: Identify R&D opportunities to improve/create products in the chemical, pharmaceutical, food, packaging and construction sectors
4. Regulatory criteria: Evaluate the influence of regulation on R&D strategies
5. Biochemical tools: Identify novel sources of biocatalysts with enhanced properties and activities, through high throughput sequencing cloning and metabolic engineering
6. Biochemical process control: Gain a molecular understanding of enzyme function and how this may be manipulated through protein engineering
7. Processing technologies for biomass fractionation: Evaluate existing and emerging technologies including supercritical CO2 and hydrothermal extractions, ionic liquids, ultra-sonication, and enzyme and microbial processing
8. Functionalisation of polysaccharides and proteins: Link structure to functionality and identifying potential application opportunities
9. Synthesis of novel chemicals: Develop processes for the enzymatic or chemical synthesis of speciality chemicals and oleochemicals
10. Process design: Develop a toolbox to assist the design of whole processes
11. Life cycle assessment: Exploit the use of common tools for LCA
12. Ethical concerns: Customer acceptance of products derived from waste
Planned Impact
The main beneficiaries from the proposed Network include:
(i) Academics and early stage researchers: They will have the opportunity to obtain seed funding to test innovative ideas in collaboration with industry, build strong collaborations with researchers from other disciplines and industry leading to major grant funding applications for translational research and development, and develop an appreciation of the multiple factors influencing the commercialisation of processes for the utilisation of food waste. Young researchers will receive multi-disciplinary training through workshops and opportunities to engage with the Network's activities in an effort to develop their knowledge, skills, commercial awareness and their exposure in this diverse industry relevant field.
(ii) The commercial private sector: Interact with academics from diverse backgrounds through the exchange of ideas and know-how, build up an internal network of experts that can assist in industrial problem solving, develop intellectual property, and engage in research grant applications to advance their capabilities leading to commercialisation of new products and processes.
(iii) The UK economy: This will be achieved through the capitalisation of new market opportunities, the development of innovative products and processes from food chain waste and through investment for commercialisation driven by the advances in science and technology in the field.
(iv) Society and environment: This will be achieved through the minimisation of the amount food waste that goes to landfills and consequently result in a reduction in pollution and emissions, and through the production of sustainable products from alternative feedstocks to petrochemicals. The Network will also increase the effectiveness of public policy through the active involvement of Network members in national and international expert committees advising on industrial uses of food waste and on the associated technological, regulatory, environmental, economic and consumer acceptability aspects.
(i) Academics and early stage researchers: They will have the opportunity to obtain seed funding to test innovative ideas in collaboration with industry, build strong collaborations with researchers from other disciplines and industry leading to major grant funding applications for translational research and development, and develop an appreciation of the multiple factors influencing the commercialisation of processes for the utilisation of food waste. Young researchers will receive multi-disciplinary training through workshops and opportunities to engage with the Network's activities in an effort to develop their knowledge, skills, commercial awareness and their exposure in this diverse industry relevant field.
(ii) The commercial private sector: Interact with academics from diverse backgrounds through the exchange of ideas and know-how, build up an internal network of experts that can assist in industrial problem solving, develop intellectual property, and engage in research grant applications to advance their capabilities leading to commercialisation of new products and processes.
(iii) The UK economy: This will be achieved through the capitalisation of new market opportunities, the development of innovative products and processes from food chain waste and through investment for commercialisation driven by the advances in science and technology in the field.
(iv) Society and environment: This will be achieved through the minimisation of the amount food waste that goes to landfills and consequently result in a reduction in pollution and emissions, and through the production of sustainable products from alternative feedstocks to petrochemicals. The Network will also increase the effectiveness of public policy through the active involvement of Network members in national and international expert committees advising on industrial uses of food waste and on the associated technological, regulatory, environmental, economic and consumer acceptability aspects.
Publications
Description | The Network run from 2014 to 2019. During this period more than 20 events (conferences, workshops, training for early career researchers, outreach) were organised, and a large number of research projects were funded. This included: 11 Proof of Concept (£481,087) to 10 individuals at 9 institutions 10 Industrial Strategy Challenge Fund Seeding Projects (£321,533) to 9 individuals at 9 institutions 27 Business Interaction Vouchers (£195,109) to 27 individuals at 20 organisations The Network's membership reached more than 600 including representatives from academia, industry, NGOs and other knowledge transfer networks. Overall the network was really successful in building a diverse community of practitioners interested in food waste valorisation. A significant number of Network's activities (research events, funding) led to the development of new partnerships and to newly funded projects. FoodWasteNet has provided BBSRC a very account of the outcomes and impacts of the Network. The legacy web site is still available and provides information on the Network's activities, including some interesting case studies. |
Exploitation Route | A number of new projects have been developed as a result of FoodWasteNet, funded from various schemes (e.g. Innovate, Horizon 2020, industry,BBSRC, etc). Some of the seed projects led the development of bigger projects and some of them work towards commercialisation. In addition, a number of publications have been produced as a result of the work funded by FoodWasteNet. FoodWasteNet merged with two other networks, i.e. LBNet and P2P and were succesful in securing funding for a new Network (Biomass Biorefinery Nettwork, BBNet, led by the University of York). BBnet runs from 2019 to 2023 and its aim is to merge all three communities and continue the work in bioeconomy and biorefineries, covering agricultural biomass, food processing by-products and municipal waste. |
Sectors | Agriculture Food and Drink Chemicals Energy Manufacturing including Industrial Biotechology |
URL | http://www.foodwastenet.org |
Description | FoodWasteNet supported a number of proof of concept projects (POC) and business innovation vouchers (BIV), to support collaborative research between academia and industry, focusing on innovation. A number of these partnerships have been very successful (several case studies have been published by FoodWastNet) and these have led to promising results and to further UKRI and/or EU as well as industry funding. |
First Year Of Impact | 2014 |
Sector | Agriculture, Food and Drink,Chemicals,Energy,Environment,Manufacturing, including Industrial Biotechology,Other |
Impact Types | Societal Economic Policy & public services |
Description | WRAP Cymru Bioeconomy Summit |
Geographic Reach | National |
Policy Influence Type | Participation in a guidance/advisory committee |
URL | http://www.wrapcymru.org.uk/valorisation/summary-welsh-bioeconomy-summit-2018 |
Description | Biomass Biorefinery Network (BBNet) |
Amount | £1,780,979 (GBP) |
Funding ID | BB/S009779/1 |
Organisation | Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 03/2019 |
End | 03/2025 |
Description | EIT Food KIC - Digital Marketplace for Side Streams |
Amount | £117,000 (GBP) |
Organisation | European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT) |
Sector | Public |
Country | Hungary |
Start | 01/2019 |
End | 12/2019 |
Description | European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT): - EIT Food - Digital Marketplace for Side Streams 2020- 2020) |
Amount | £1,000,000 (GBP) |
Organisation | European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT) |
Sector | Public |
Country | Hungary |
Start | 01/2020 |
End | 12/2020 |
Description | GCRF Foundation Awards for Global Agricultural and Food Systems Research |
Amount | £598,000 (GBP) |
Organisation | Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 04/2017 |
End | 04/2019 |
Description | Innovate UK Metamorphosis: a bioprocessing platform for functional insect feeds |
Amount | £689,000 (GBP) |
Funding ID | 103918 |
Organisation | Innovate UK |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 02/2018 |
End | 01/2020 |
Description | Optimising food composition: fat, sugar, salt and fibre |
Amount | £830,000 (GBP) |
Funding ID | 102698 |
Organisation | Innovate UK |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 11/2016 |
End | 10/2019 |
Description | REUNION 1 - REPROCESSING UNDER-UTILISED ONION WASTE |
Amount | £98,212 (GBP) |
Funding ID | BB/R506023/1 |
Organisation | Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 08/2018 |
End | 09/2022 |
Description | Transformation of food processing by-products into value-added products |
Amount | £21,000 (GBP) |
Organisation | Brunel University London |
Sector | Academic/University |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 08/2018 |
End | 03/2019 |
Description | Collaboration with Institute of Food Reserach |
Organisation | Quadram Institute Bioscience |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | Exchange of technical know-how and reserach ideas |
Collaborator Contribution | Exchange of technical know-how and reserach ideas |
Impact | Ideas for events for FoodWsteNet, funding calls, expansion of Network |
Start Year | 2014 |
Description | Collaboration with the Biocomposites Centre at the University of Bangor |
Organisation | Bangor University |
Department | BioComposites Centre |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | Following on from an FoodWasteNet event in the area of biopolymers, a collaborative project with Dr Viacheslav Tverezovskiy at the Bangor University was set up in the area of polylactic acid synthesis, produced using D-lactic acid produced through microbial fermentation on food waste. |
Collaborator Contribution | Synthesis of polylactic acid using a chemical catalysis process, performed at Bangor University |
Impact | A manuscript is currently being drafted which includes the results from this collaboration. |
Start Year | 2017 |
Description | UK non-alcoholic (soft) beverage waste mapping exercise |
Organisation | Quadram Institute Bioscience |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | Funding from FoodWasteNet will be used to support this project. |
Collaborator Contribution | This collaboration will be managed by the FoodWasteNet Network Manager. |
Impact | The project did not proceed due to Organisational changes at Quadram Biosciences |
Start Year | 2017 |
Description | 1st FoodWasteNet workshop, London 2014 |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | The 1st workshop of the NIBB network FoodWasteNet took place in July 2014. 45 participants attended the event, including particpants from industry, academia and other organisations (e.g. KTNs). The aim of the workshop was to stimulate discussion and identify expertise in the areas of food processing waste valorisation, leading to collborative funding applications. Good interaction between academia and industry - possible research applications for feasability studies as a result of this. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2014 |
URL | http://www.foodwastenet.org/ |
Description | ASDA Suppliers Conference Stand |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | Vicki Aldmington manned a stand at the ASDA suppliers conference to disucss funding and networking opportunities available via through FoodWasteNet, several discussions led to follow-up emails which may result in funding applications and future event participation |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017 |
Description | Biobased Innovations Conference |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
Results and Impact | Expo: This global tradeshow was co-located with the UK AD & Biogas and World Biogas Expo 2017 showcases the most progressive technologies, bio-based innovations & biodegradable products whilst providing a learning platform that connects over 1,200 Industrialists. Network Manager took part in panel discussion |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017 |
Description | Career development workshop for Early Career Scientists |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Postgraduate students |
Results and Impact | FoodWasteNet funded 10 places at this event for PhD students, post-doctoral researchers and early career industry researchers who are members of our network. Speakers from industry, funding bodies and other like-minded early career scientists outlined a range of careers options outside of the university laboratory. Participants developed the professional skills they need to develop a career in industry. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
Description | Communication with FoodWasteNet membership, 2014-2017 |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A magazine, newsletter or online publication |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | Development of FoodWasteNet Newsletter, which is sent quarterly to the membership, aiming to inform the membership about the Network's activities (events, funding, etc) Increased interest to the Network, new members, increased participation in events |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2014,2015,2016,2017 |
URL | http://www.foodwastenet.org/resources/newsletter/ |
Description | Conference - Bioplastics |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | This was aimed at academic and industry-based FoodWasteNet members with an interest in manufacture and applications of biopolymers and bioplastics from food waste. There were a series of invited speakers as well as delegate input in the form of flash presentations. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2016 |
URL | http://www.foodwastenet.org/events/biopolymers-bioplastics-from-waste-10-may-2016/ |
Description | Conference - Catalysis 2016 |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | Conference arranged at Aston University Birmingham, several invited speakers in addition to delegate flash presentations at this one day event. Networking of delegates led to new collborations and at lease one funded FoodWasteNet BIV application. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2016 |
URL | http://www.foodwastenet.org/events/1-sept-2016/ |
Description | Cross-NIBB meeting to discuss opportunities from waste |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | At invitation of BBSRC, FoodWasteNet organised a cross-NIBB meeting to discuss opportunities from waste. Output from the meeting was provided to BBSRC to inform internal meetings. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2015 |
Description | Development of FoodWasteNet website |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | FoodWasteNet website created and launched in early 2015. This is aims to engage members and potential members of the NIBB. It included information about events and funding activities (including those offered by foodWastNet and other organisations) |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2015,2016,2017 |
URL | http://www.foodwastenet.org |
Description | Engagement with visitors to FoodMattersLive |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | Representation on the University of Reading stand at Food Matters Live. FoodWasteNet Manager attend the event for one of the three days. There were relatively few visitors to the stand. Some were interested in the concept of food waste valorisation but there were no outputs from the activity |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2015 |
Description | Exhibition stand at RSC event |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | Jane Westwell staffed exhibition stand at RSC event Renewable chemicals from waste - securing the molecular value from waste streams. FoodWasteNet member, Carol Wagstaff, gave presentation on her FoodWasteNet funded BIV project. Workshop attendees came to the stand for mpore information about the network and we received several new membership applications as a result of this event. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2015 |
Description | Field Waste Valorisation - the Next Steps? |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
Results and Impact | The event put current food waste valorisation research into a much broader context. Invited speakers gave an overview of economic, ethical, social and environmental factors that have an impact on the decision to valorise food wastes. Academic researchers shared their findings from their FoodWasteNet BIV and PoC funded field waste valorisation projects from 2017/18. As the FoodWasteNet NIBB approaches the project end, industry-based FoodWasteNet members refelcted on how involvement with the network has impacted on their collaborations with academic partners. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
Description | Food Waste Valorisation - Challenges & oppotunities |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Undergraduate students |
Results and Impact | Speakers will outlined challenges, opportunities and initiatives in industrial biotechnology and present case studies of successful collaborative projects between university researchers and companies that were funded by the FoodWasteNet Proof of Concept and Business Interaction Voucher funding schemes. Discussion groups will identify challenges and opportunities in food waste valorisation, in light of the recently published UK Government's Bioeconomy strategy:2018-2030 and Resources and waste strategy for England, and help to clarify the food waste valorisation community's priorities as FoodWasteNet ends and the phase II NIBBs begin. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
Description | FoodWasteNet Funding Focused Workshop |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | This was a two day Networking event for FoodWasteNet members to build research collaborations. Event was focused at the IB Catalyst and an Innovate Uk call in 2015. The event attracted a 50/50 mix of academic and industrial participants, all of whom gave a flash presentation about their interests. The event was supported by KTN who facilitated the networking session on the second day. Several consortia were formed on this day and we received subsequent successful applications to FoodWasteNet BIV, PoC calls. In addition several groups applied to IB Catalyst and one applied to Innovate UK. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2015 |
URL | http://www.foodwastenet.org/events/funding-focused-workshop/ |
Description | FoodWasteNet Scientific workshop |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | 60 delegates from industry and academia participated in a workshop to explore processing technologies for recovery of added-value components from food processing waste. The event included a competition for early career scientists and prizes were awarded for best oral presentations. Opportunity was provided for networking and we received several applications for BIV and PoC funds following on from this event. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2015 |
URL | http://www.foodwastenet.org/events/16-27-july-2015/ |
Description | FoodWasteNet funding calls, 2014-2017 |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | Three calls for feasibility studies and seven calls for innovation vouchers were announced by FoodWasteNet for funding. The calls were broad in order to attract a wide community of academics and industrialists. Additionally for 2016-2017 an open call for consortium building meetings was launched. Formation of research ideas leading to academia/industry collaborative projects. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2014,2015,2016,2017 |
URL | http://www.foodwastenet.org/funding/ |
Description | Funding Workshop 2017 |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | This was a two day Networking event for FoodWasteNet members to build research collaborations focussed on an open PoC funding call. The event attracted a 50/50 mix of academic and industrial participants, all of contributed in the facilitated (Know Innovation) networking event. The event was supported by KTN and BBSRC. Several consortia were formed on this day and we received project summaries looking at both FoodWasteNet and external funding calls. 3 PoC projects were subsequently awarded. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017 |
URL | http://www.foodwastenet.org/events/28-feb-2017/ |
Description | LCA training |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Postgraduate students |
Results and Impact | Introductory course in Life Cycle Asessment methods During the course participants developed a solid understanding of the process, data requirements and how to make use of the results. They then applied to apply this knowledge to real-life case studies. Some participants planned to incorporate LCA into their research |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
URL | http://www.foodwastenet.org/events/24-25-july-2018/ |
Description | Manufacturing Food Futures |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
Results and Impact | Management Committee Chair delivered this talk on behalf of the network at a 2 -day event bringing together industry and academic experts to discuss challenges and showcase the latest innovations in the sector. The event proved very popular and we had some new membership following this event. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017 |
Description | NIBB workshop as part of the IBTI Club dissemination event, October 2014, Cardiff |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | Three NIBB Networks, FoodWastNet, LBNET, P2P developed an afternoon session for the IBTI Club dissemination event, in order to inform participants about the role of the Networks and their activities. The discussion was very good and a number of ideas were developed. Possibly some common events between Networks, and novel communication approaches. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2006,2014 |
Description | Opportunities for Food By-product Utilisation |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Regional |
Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
Results and Impact | Collaboration with ADNet and IBioIC to encourage IB projects in Food Waste Valorisation/AD in Scotland. To engage industry/academia with IB to apply to FW problems and encourage applications to BIV scheme. Presentation by 2 FoodWasteNet members at event. One joint BIV application to ADNet FWN resulted in 2017 and 1 application to FWN in 2018. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017 |
Description | Oral presentation regarding FoodWasteNet in Focus on Frontiers in Industrial Biotechnology 2014, London |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Type Of Presentation | keynote/invited speaker |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | Presentation by Dr Jane Westwell (FoodWasteNet manager) on the activities of the Network. Increased by delegates on FoodWasteNet |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2014 |
URL | http://www.efb-central.org/index.php/Main/focus_on_frontiers_in_industrial_biotechnology |
Description | Participation in Careers event |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Postgraduate students |
Results and Impact | We co funded the event organised by CBMNet and provided an academic speaker. We also funded 4 ECRs to attend. The event helped participants explore their career options |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017 |
URL | http://cbmnetnibb.group.shef.ac.uk/members-forum/event-reports/industrial-biotechnology-and-bioenerg... |
Description | Presentation at British Herb Growers event |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | Presentation on FoodWasteNet at a meeting of the Bristish Herb Growers Association. Intended to raise awareness of valorisation as a route to dealing with herb waste. The network recruited two members as a result of this event. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2014 |
Description | Presentation on FoodWasteNet activities and impact at the 1st Biomass Biorefinery Network conference |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
Results and Impact | A talk was given on the activities, impact and legacy of FoodWasteNet, using a range of case studies and summary tables/graphs. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
Description | Primary School activity |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an open day or visit at my research institution |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Local |
Primary Audience | Schools |
Results and Impact | Practical activity developed and delivered to help primary school pupils develop scientific enquiry skills. Pupils engaged well and suggested ways to improve the "experiments". Part of a wider engagement activity focused around food microbiology. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
Description | Public engagement activity at Royal County of Berkshire Show |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Regional |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | over 500 people (mainly families) visited the University of Reading sustainability themed stand at the Berkshire Show. FoodWasteNet organised a hands-on activity for adult visitors to the stand. Visitors reported that we had increased their awareness of valorising food waste and co-products. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2015 |
URL | http://www.berkshireshow.co.uk/Show/index |
Description | Reducing Food Waste in the UK: Promoting Collaboration, Innovation and Responsibility at the National and Local Levels |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
Results and Impact | Member of FoodWasteNet Management Committee gave invited presentation at this event. It offered food waste campaigners; redistribution charities; business representatives; retailers; the hospitality sector; local authorities; industry representatives; central and devolved government and other stakeholders to come together to discuss the most pressing issues facing the movement to tackle food waste in the UK, share best practice, and discuss prospective solutions and ways forward. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
Description | Saving waste in horticulture: optimising resources |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
Results and Impact | Displayed exhibition stand and talked with delegates at event that was part of Agri-Rech Week organised by Eastern Agri-Tech Innovation Hub at NIAB. FoodWasteNet Management Committee Chair gave talk. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017 |
Description | School Outreach Activity |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Local |
Primary Audience | Schools |
Results and Impact | Interaction with 20 year 11 pupils from a school in Slough and their teachers. Delivered an activity exploring ethics of food waste and options for dealing with it (including valorisation) as part of a workshop on food security at Museum of English Rural Life. Pupils interacted well with the hands-on activities and joined in the discussions. Good feedback came from the schools invited to deliver a similar workshop with any other visiting schools in the future |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
Description | SuperPro Workshop 2018 |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Postgraduate students |
Results and Impact | Workshop to explore how Superpro software can support research and innovation in food waste valorisation. 18 people participated. I person planned to use the software in their research, another participant has developed teaching resources for UG students using the software |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
URL | http://www.foodwastenet.org/events/13-14-september-2018/ |
Description | Superpro workshop |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | Workshop to explore how Superpro software can support research and innovation in food waste valorisation. 20 people particpated and 2 subsequent projects including use of Superpro were funded by FoodWasteNet |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017 |
URL | http://www.foodwastenet.org/events/3-4-july-2017/ |
Description | Systems Change thinking - Creating Value from unavoidable food waste |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | Network CoI and PI gave talks at event is for stakeholders interested in understanding the chemical and environmental benefits of utilising unavoidable food supply chain wastes. FoodWasteNet sponsored the event. Some of the presenters worked on projects funded by BIV and PoC |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
Description | Total Food2017 |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
Results and Impact | FoodWasteNet Director sat on scientific Committee and chaired a session on Food Waste Valorisation. Provided bursaries to early career FWN members who presented research as posters or oral presentations Summary of Outcome(s)/Impact(s). Early career researchers gained postive experience of presenting research. Event provided opportunities for FoodWasteNet members to network with international researchers in field. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017 |
Description | |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | Regular social media updates informing community of news in the field as well as network-specific updates on funding, events and opportunities. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2014,2015,2016,2017,2018 |
URL | https://twitter.com/foodwastenet |
Description | Valorisation of Grain, Cereal and Bakery Waste |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
Results and Impact | This free-of-charge event examined current and emerging technologies for the valorisation of waste and low value by-products from the primary and secondary processing of cereals, including cereal milling, starch and protein production, and brewing operations. The programme included case study presentations from academia and industry. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017 |
URL | http://www.foodwastenet.org/events/7-june-2017/ |
Description | Valorisation of animal by-products - challenges and opportunities |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
Results and Impact | Joint event between ADNet and FoodWasteNet that examined current and emerging technologies for the valorisation of animal by-products (ABP) and co-products. A mixture of Industry and academia based delegates. A FWN PoC recipient presented her research at the event. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
Description | Valorising waste from convenience food and ready meal manufacture |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
Results and Impact | This free-of-charge event focused on opportunities to valorise unavoidable food waste from the convenience and ready-meal manufacturing sector. Speakers gave an overview of the challenges faced by manufacturers and the available resources to explore valorisation options. In addition, we presented case studies of successful collaborative projects between university researchers and companies that were funded by the FoodWasteNet Proof of Concept funding scheme. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
URL | http://www.foodwastenet.org/events/june-27-2018/ |
Description | WJFG SUppliers Sustainability conference |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
Results and Impact | Event for William Jackson Food Group supplier companies to explore networking opportunities. FWN manager gave presentation about FWN and participated in panel discussion. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017 |
Description | WasteWorks 2015 |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
Results and Impact | FoodWasteNet exhibited at the WasteWorks 2015 event in March 2015. We engaged with visitors by providing information about the network and the potential of deriving increased value from food processing waste & co-streams. We organised a seminar (Food waste and pathways to valorisation) at the exhibition. The event raised the profile of food waste valorisation with a range of visitors and fellow exhibitors. We recruited two new members to the network. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2015 |