A Healthy Future for Fruit Industry Residuals

 
A Healthy Future for Fruit Industry Residuals
 
Cut fruit specialists Mirontell and natural fibre ‘engineers’ Zelfo Technology have teamed up to
examine the potential uses of fruit industry residual materials such as skins, cores, pulp etc. Their
first results have revealed a series of products for use in the materials, food, and energy industries.
Mirontell, a significant player in the ‘Cut Fresh Fruit’ market in Germany are at the front end of the
business equation regarding the issue of the relatively high percentage of non-income generating
‘residual’ fruit materials. Zelfo Technology and Mirontell were introduced to each other back in
2017 as a result of a BioEconomy Event in Potsdam arranged by the WFBB (Germany based
Industry Promotional Agency for Berlin/Brandenburg). Noting that both post harvest and industry
related waste is a significant problem for the fruit industry, working with Mirontell seemed a
particularly relevant project for Zelfo, which is focused on the development of sustainable materials
for industry. Whilst further discussions took place to consider in outline what could be achieved,
Zelfo’s processing systems had advanced to the point that they felt able to deliver more than their
originally envisaged engineered cellulose material. This proved to be the case during the first trials
using Mirontell supplied residual materials.
 
A surprising ‘parallel products opportunity’ emerged as the first experiments reveal technical
benefits from both ‘product streams’. The primary ‘end use’ opportunities are based on the fibre
engineering side and include adding new properties to pulp formed products and in panels for
interior and furniture construction. Derivatives are seen as the key parallel offer, which is not
surprising as a whole list of previously discarded properties exist in these residuals including;
organic matter, phytochemicals, and compounds with nutraceutical properties. Furthermore there is
often significant presence of cellulose, hemicellulose, pectin, minerals, vitamins, and sometimes
useful - low lignin content. The project partners are not alone in this evaluation, as various steering
groups have already researched the existing options for use of the residuals as enzymes, ethanol,
and bio-pigments and other products suitable for use in various industries.
 
Mirontell’s Robert Leuendorf (Lean-Production Manager) sees this first round of tests as one of the
most significant developments in the industry in a long time. "The benefits in regards to the bottom
line as well as the sustainability message are priceless. We look forward to supporting Zelfo
Technology in this journey and to benefiting from the rewards as and when commercial products
emerge."
 
Both companies see the initial test project as a ‘primer’ leading into a number of product areas and
further relationships with partner companies. This viewpoint has been vindicated as they now have
involvement from further industry partners. Looking further into the future, industries who have
already identified a fruit based derivative are particularly of interest. Working with such partners
reduces R&D time in regard to the identification of the target properties and focuses the exercise
on process optimisation to deliver the engineered fibre and/or derivative in question.
Gregoire de Vilmorin, New Business Director at Zelfo Technology commented: "As a result of our
work in packaging using agricultural residual fibres and knowing the potential of how we can mix
residual fibre sources to create value based products we took this project on without hesitation.
The first results with the fruit residuals are a great culmination of or past two years technical
development".
 
It would seem that at first glance the fastest start lies in the potential for in-house projects where a
residual stream becomes a raw material for a secondary product. In fact Mirontell itself is looking
for bio based packaging solutions using their waste stream.
 
In regards to the market, on a global level there is a substantial supply of raw materials from fruit
based industries as 10–60% of the total weight of the fresh produce can be so-called ‘residual’
unused components. Particularly interesting are fruit processing plants based in the developing
world where both packaging and building materials are in high demand and the energy generating
potential from the derivatives of certain fruit types may be an important business and socioeconomic
path to follow.
 
In the developed world where pre-packaged fruit based products are a huge market, the majority of
the residual materials are used for cattle feed or land filled which is problematic due to nutrient
imbalances, algae growth and loss of oxygen in aquatic environments leading to fauna reduction
(crustaceans, amphibians, and fish). As a response to this and as margins get tighter in business,
Zelfo Technology intends to employ their form of ‘Biorefining’ to improve matters concerning both
sustainability and the material and financial returns from this valuable resource.
About Mirontell:
Established as Mirontell Fein & Frisch AG in 2004 as a fruit salad manufacturer and prides itself as
reliable partner for the production of first-class convenience products. Initially operating regionally,
after around three years of business it extended its reach to a national level. Today, Mirontell GV
partners supply fresh fruit salads all over Germany. In 2008, Mirontell's range was expanded to
include Freshcut food retail products (LEH) selling extensively to supermarket chains.
Mirontell Fein & Frisch AG Contact:
Robert Leuendorf (Lean-Production Manager)
leuendorf@mirontell.de
About Zelfo Technology:
The company was formally established in 2011. Using patented technology and extensive
knowhow, Zelfo Technology engineers ligno-celluose fibre from a wide variety of sources to create
self binding fibre for use as bio-binders, reinforcing agents, pulp formed products and composites.
Beyond fibre engineering, their technology is designed to deliver additional material and chemical
properties resident in various forms of bio-mass. With a wide spectrum of partners and clients Zelfo
Technology has extensive relationships with international businesses and corporations.
Zelfo Technology GmbH Contact:
Grégoire de Vilmorin, New Business Director,
gregoire.devilmorin@zelfo-technology.com

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