Food and Agri

A healthy food system is the basis for a healthy society. But we face enormous challenges in that regard. A growing world population, an increase in people with chronic hunger on the one hand, and a rise in diet-related diseases of affluence on the other. Moreover, our food system has a huge environmental impact: a quarter to a third of global greenhouse gas emissions come from the food and agri sector. We must therefore work toward a healthy, climate-neutral food system in which we reuse raw materials and provide space for biodiversity. Everyone has a role in this: farmers, industry, trade and consumers.

The National Commodity Agreement and the Biomass and Food Transition Agenda push for fully circular and regenerative use of nutrients and soil. A tough task that requires a holistic approach. Within this, a major role is reserved for biomass: a key driver of the circular economy. On the one hand a residual stream, but on the other hand a raw material for food, feed, chemicals, materials, transport fuels and energy. Its use contributes to making many different sectors more sustainable.

Circular design plays an important role in making the food and agri sector more sustainable. Reducing (food) waste, valorizing waste streams into circular biobased products, regenerative use of raw materials, soil and nutrients. By looking with a design view of value retention and creation, a lot of circular opportunities for food and agri arise.