What are co-products?

During the processing of our crops into consumer products, residual materials remain. Think of potato peels from French fry production, beet pulp from sugar processing, and brewers' grain from beer production. We call these residual materials co-products. While they are not suitable for human consumption, they still hold significant value for other applications. Every year, 6 million tonnes of our co-products find a valuable purpose in various industries – from wallpaper glue to dog food and from green gas to meat substitutes.

A circular food system

Around 75% of our co-products are used as circular animal feed. ‘Circular’ means that these products were not specifically grown for animal feed but are by-products of another process. By using these co-products as animal feed, we return them to the food chain, contributing to a circular food system. After human consumption, animal feed is the most high-value use of residual streams.

 

“In a circular food system, animals and plants go hand in hand.”

— Nicole Timmerman, Business Developer Circular at Duynie

Sustainable use of farmland

The global population is rapidly growing, and with it, the demand for food. This increases pressure on available resources. By using co-products as circular animal feed, we reduce the need to grow crops specifically for livestock feed. Our animal feed does not compete with human food for land; instead, it helps free up land to grow crops for human consumption.

Short supply chains and a profitable model for farmers

Where possible, we aim to deliver co-products directly from the factory to a local livestock farmer, without further processing and with the shortest possible transport distance. This minimises empty transport miles and CO2 emissions. Additionally, these local co-products are often more affordable than traditional animal feed, supporting the farmer’s profitability.