Co-products are created during the processing of plant-based raw materials into food, beverage and biofuel products. Think of chicory and beet pulp, potato peels, brewers’ grains, potato starch, the list goes on. Duynie Group is the expert and European market leader in creating circular value from co-products.

Interview with Jan Bakker: Creating co-product value throughout Europe

Duynie Group, currently active in more than 15 countries, is committed to creating new value from plant-based co-products. Every year we process more than 5 million tons of plant-based co-products released in the food-, beverage and biofuel industries and turn it into valuable circular products for animal feed, petfood, technical and food applications.
Duynie has various specialist in the full co-product value chain. Jan Bakker is nutritionist and consultant for Duynie Group and is experienced in on-farm application of co-products. He explores new markets and opportunities throughout Europe to utilize co-products for animal feed which Duynie Feed supplies to the farmer. We asked him to share some insights.
What are the benefits of using co-products? “Valorizing co-products allows you to fully utilize an existing resource. This creates circular solutions for the food, beverage and biofuel industries and reduces the environmental impact of the end product. In addition, it provides the producer with an extra revenue stream. For the farmers – the customer in the case of Duynie Feed – we can offer economic and sustainable value through nutritious and low-carbon feed solutions that are sourced within their region.”
What does the European co-product market look like ? “I would say there is a split between North-western Europe and the rest of the continent. The main difference is in the type of crop. In North-western Europe there is a large supply of potato and sugar beet coproducts. Throughout the rest of Europe, the east and south, the main processes that produce co-products are beer brewing, bio-ethanol production and starch production.” 
How does Duynie Feed expand to new markets? “There is an increasing demand from multinational food, beverage and biofuel producers for strategic partnerships regarding circular valorisation of wet co-products. It usually starts with an opportunity – or request – coming from one of our suppliers. When we are asked to expand to a new country, we first analyse the current situation. The supplier’s manufacturing site, logistical structures and the potential demand from farmers in the area provide a framework for a viable business case for co-product application.”
Turning co-products into animal feed, how does that work? “The most crucial step is understanding the situation of the customer, the farmer, and how a co-product can bring value to their operation. Their daily practice is leading. On-site we analyse current feed systems, rations and costs. Then we determine the potential value that co-products can provide to the farmer’s operation. Knowledge and expertise in livestock nutrition is crucial here. You must fully grasp the rations to determine how much co-product can be added and how this affects costs and results.”
A new market requires a team, where do you start? “We build and utilize our (local) network to contact parties that work with livestock farmers. They connect us, and from there we are able to expand our network. In a new market we generally start with a sales manager who is familiar with the region. We train them in the Netherlands and complement their theoretical background with practical knowledge. An experienced Dutch sales manager will show them the ropes, and I provide them with theory around rations and co-products. From there they start in the new country and slowly expand our network and activities. I support the new organisation and staff both through visits and remote.”
What allows Duynie Feed to successfully expand into new markets? “I would say our many years of experience in the feed and co-product business. For every step in the process, we have a colleague who knows the ins and outs, from factory and logistics to the farm itself. And because we work throughout more than 15 countries in Europe, we know how European quality, fiscal and juridical systems work. Additionally, compared to local parties who are generally focused on the more practical aspects such as logistics, we offer broad market knowledge, nutritional expertise and knowledge on specific EU Feed law and specific Feed certification schemes.
Our current and new suppliers appreciate the value we offer through a full service co-product valorisation with continuity. We always purchase the co-products and remove co-products on time, removing the risk of unplanned stoppages and ensuring full business continuity. In addition, we ensure sales to customers. Due to our scale we can optimize the value of the product and the logistical process, which we fully coordinate.”
What do you hope to achieve within the next five years? “I hope that Duynie Group will be active throughout all of Europe with its Feed businesses. This year we have started projects in 6 new countries, Greece, Bulgaria, Spain, Serbia, Croatia and Slovenia. Over the next few years we will further expand our presence in Europe.”

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Co-products are created during the processing of plant-based raw materials into food, beverage and biofuel products. Think of chicory and beet pulp, potato peels, brewers’ grains, potato starch, the list goes on. Duynie Group is the expert and European market leader in creating circular value from co-products.

Duynie Feed | interview with Jan Bakker: creating co-product value throughout Europe