In Brief

  • Challenge: Food Challenge
  • Challenge Type: SFI Challenge
  • Status: Complete

The Challenge

Food waste valorisation is an important goal of sustainable development. In Ireland, 4.2 million tonnes of food-waste is generated annually with the food-processing  sector  accounting  for  19%  of this total producing 36,900  tonnes  of  fruit  and  758,650 tonnes of vegetable waste each year. This food waste represents a valuable untapped source of commercially important compounds (e.g., fatty acids) that can be used for a range of applications.

The Solution

Develop a disruptive anaerobic digestion technology that will transform organic  food waste, destined  for  landfill, into nutrient-rich foods, ingredients, clean energy and balanced fertiliser thus providing a unique zero-waste circular bioeconomy solution.  

UN SDG Alignment

Goal 12: Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns

The Team

  • Team Lead: Dr Sushanta Kumar Saha, Technological University of the Shannon
  • Team Co-Lead: Dr Ajay Menon, University College Dublin

Societal Impact Champion

  • Adam Lord, Food Surplus Management Ltd.