Topics
We organise our actions in six thematic & strategic agendas:
Strategic Agendas:
Bio-economy
Circular Construction
Chemicals/Plastics
Manufacturing Industry
Food Chain
Water Cycles
Seven leverages provide additional support:
Leverage effects:
Lever Policy Instruments
Lever Circular Procurement
Lever Communication
Lever Innovation & Entrepreneurship
Lever Financing
Lever Jobs & Skills
Lever Research
What, why and how?
Why are we pursuing a circular economy?
Future visions 2050
How do we see our circular future?
About our management
Who steers what at Flanders Circular?
Green waste becomes new raw material
Pro Natura / INNEC
What can you do with green waste apart from composting or fermenting it? Is it possible to process local green waste in such a way that it can serve as raw material for the industry? In order to find an answer to that question, Pro Natura started an exploratory research project in cooperation with Renewi , Studio Transitio, UGent and HOGent at the beginning of 2018. This research project consisted of several phases. In a first phase, we looked for the right fractions of green waste, based on what kind of biobased raw materials certain producers in the industry were already using. In a second phase, we focused on the processing and conversion of those materials, with an eye on possible applications. Then, in cooperation with interested companies, we conducted small-scale practical tests on the different types of applications. The results were promising, so in a next step we investigated how these different applications could be brought together into a total concept. We also used interviews and workshops to bring together different actors who were interested in this conversion process. Finally, we also paid the necessary attention to the dissemination of our results.
Pro Natura / INNEC
Partners Renewi, UGent en HOGent, Studio Transitio
Sectors
Themes
Organisations
Website
MOST IMPORTANT
RESULTS
- We were able to draw up an extensive list of promising applications for the fibre fractions obtained from the processed green waste: design of furniture boards, synthetic floors, insulation material, natural plaster, etc.
- We also found several possible applications for the juices that are released in the processing of the green waste, such as herbicides and other (phyto)pharmaceuticals.
- We have shown that we can directly use natural fibres for various applications. It is therefore not necessary to break down biomass into its smallest building blocks (sugars, proteins, etc.) in a very energy-consuming and unsustainable process in order to subsequently reconstitute them into materials and products, as is the case in petroleum refining.
- If, in the long term, we can develop this process into a truly circular industry, it will certainly create more local jobs for low-skilled people, especially in the selective collection and separation of streams, such as jobs at container parks and green waste processors.
MOST IMPORTANT
LESSONS LEARNED
- The valorisation of green waste, in which all components, both juices and fibres, are reused, offers interesting perspectives as a sustainable and profitable raw material for the (small-scale) circular bio-based manufacturing industry.
- The homogenisation of residual flows from green waste, which are very heterogeneous by nature, remains a major challenge. No matter how pure we try to be, we still come across variations. For example, in the case of roadside cuttings: due to the location of the roadside, the mowing method or mowing head used, the time of mowing, etc.
- Besides valorising certain niche streams from green waste, fermentation and composting will still have a place in a truly circular bio-industry.
- The good cooperation between the various sectors and stakeholders in this project means a great added value in terms of innovation. Also, the use of employment care and social economy gives room for creative designs and working methods that would not be possible in a traditional way.
WHAT DOES
THE FUTURE HOLD?
Thanks to this project, Pro Natura has been able to build a close collaboration with its partners, such as the biobased manufacturing companies Orineo, Circular Matters, BC Materials, RELEAF, Ecotreasures, Glimps.bio ... They provided raw materials for the design project of Designer of the Year 2020 Sep Verboom, in collaboration with Circular Matters: https://pronatura.be/nieuws/designer-of-the-year-zet-ploeg-arbeidszorg-en-biomassa-van-pronatura-in-bij-project-ontketen
