Agri-TechE Week: Using and reducing waste from fresh produce

7 November 2016

Hasse, Hasse Road, Nr Soham, Cambridgeshire

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How to create value from materials that would otherwise be wasted is the theme of the ‘Talking Shop’ event that was hosted by Niab at Hasse, home of the Eastern AgriGate Research Hub.

A number of businesses that are successfully tackling this issue talked about their experiences and the discussion extended to include waste reduction at all stages of field production starting from inputs through to harvest and storage.

Companies presenting included ValueForm, which is using post-harvest straw as a more environmentally friendly alternative to paper or plastic for creating single-use disposable medical products, which may include bedpans, kidney trays and wash bowls.

Managing Director of Valueform, Prakash Korde, said: “We know that our medical products can meet the necessary standards for waterproofing and disposal requirements set by healthcare providers.”

Valueform estimate that disposable products used within the NHS could be made from a few thousand tonnes of straw.

Programme:

10.00    Coffee and networking

10.30    Introduction and overview of projects at the Eastern AgriGate Research Hub

• Bioboost and Agrimetrics – Lydia Smith, Niab
• Sustainable fruit production – Niab EMR
• Novel weed control – Ubiqutek

11.15 Feedstocks and the potential for waste source and minimisation (business presentations)

• Alternative sources of protein – Matt McLaren, Entomics
• Improving forecasting to reduce waste – Charlie Kisby, G’s Fresh
• Using straw as alternative to plastic for single-use packaging – Prakesh Korde, ValueForm
• Sonic assisted biorefining to convert biomass into useful molecules –  Steve Taylor, Celbius
• Urban farming in warehouses and roof tops – Jason Hawkins-Row, Aponic

12.45  Lunch, networking and tour of demonstrations

To book:

This event has now passed.

For further information please contact Vivien Sulik or Dr Lydia Smith, : vivien.sulik@niab.com