In Belgium, the BBTWINS project has made key developments in waste processing and valorization technologies, converting waste from the meat and fruit industries into resources that support a more sustainable, circular economy. One aspect of the research focused on ways to recycle by-products such as pig manure, skins, and bones from meat production, as well as pruning and fruit processing waste. The project evaluated practical options for transforming these materials into different products.
The project, which takes pig manure and other organic waste and converts it into renewable energy, showed remarkable results, with biogas outputs reaching over 19 million cubic meters annually under optimal scenarios. This method has the potential to produce enough biogas to power thousands of homes each year,
showing strong promise as a cleaner energy source for the meat and fruit industries. BBTWINS also explored the potential for recovering valuable nutrients from manure for use as natural fertilizers, although further development is needed to improve its efficiency.
