Students from the Technical University of Denmark (DTU) have made flour out of carrot peel instead of compost during a course on innovation and collaboration.
The course lecturers include researchers from the National Food Institute, Technical University of Denmark.
During the production of fresh cut produce and freshly squeezed juices at fruit and vegetable supplier Greens Wholesale, approximately 100 tons of biological waste is generated every month.
This waste is converted into biogas or fertilizer, but is still an expense.
During the Innovation Pilot course at DTU, Greens Engros have asked the students to find ways to recycle carrot peel and pulp from the production.
Pulp is the mass that is left after the juice has been squeezed out of the carrots.
A method for processing the biological waste into carrot flour is named the winner amongst other ideas.
In many recipes, the carrot flour can replace up to half of the wheat flour required.
Greens Engros and the students are working together to develop the idea and they hope to launch the carrot flour onto the market within a year.
Another winning idea was for Greens Engros’ staff on the sorting line to wear with yellow safety glasses.
They make it easier to see spots and bruises on the carrots, thus aiding the process of removing damaged carrots.
The idea has already been incorporated into the production line.
Innovation Pilot is geared towards small and medium enterprises, who want to establish a collaboration with DTU.
The challenges provide the students with a real-life context in which they can apply the theories they have learned for the benefit of society.
At the same time, businesses get fresh ideas that can help them solve different challenges.
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