Waister transforms food waste into a performance booster for biogas plants

By 2050, the world population is estimated to increase from 7.6 billion to 9.8 billion. The amount of food waste will grow proportionately as food production expands if nothing is done to address the problem. Today, about 6.7 per cent of all global greenhouse gases come from food waste, according to the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).

Food production results in a number of by-products that are traditionally regarded as waste rather than as new raw materials for other processes. This waste can be difficult to recycle or reuse and is typically sent to landfills, composting facilities or waste incineration plants. Poor handling of wet food waste can lead to unnecessary transport and emissions of methane gas.

Waister drying technology transforms wet food waste into a valuable product. The technology is based on a patented, innovative combination of mechanical fluidisation and superheated steam, creating a compact and highly energy-efficient dryer.

The Waister 15 dryer reduces the weight and volume of wet food waste by more than 75 per cent. This is equivalent to four out of five truckloads of waste collected from restaurants, hotels, retailers and food producers.

The Waister 15 dryer enables reuse and upcycling of wet waste fractions. The solution transforms the waste into a storable and easily transportable raw material that can be upcycled into valuable products. These include biofertiliser, biogas booster, feed ingredients and pet food ingredients.

Meanwhile, use of the dryer allows restaurants, hotels, retailers and food producers to eliminate or substantially reduce the cost of food waste disposal, as well as minimise their environmental footprint.

Use of the dried product as a biogas booster also reduces methane emissions significantly compared to landfills and composting facilities.

Global wet waste management is expected to be valued at over USD 130 billion by 2022. Increasing food production and strict waste management regulations stipulated by the United States Environmental Protection Agency and the European Commission are driving demand.

The global market for Waister’s drying technology includes restaurants, hotels, supermarkets and food producers. The company also has solutions for the aquaculture industry and for brewer's spent grain.