Stabilization and valorisation of green leaves
Theme 3: January 23 - June 2023
During the harvest of agricultural and horticultural crops, a significant amount of leaf and stem residues are left on the land. Examples include beet leaves, tomato vines, cabbage leaves, leek greens, Brussels sprout stalks, broccoli stems...
There are logistical challenges in the collection, stabilization, and processing of this biomass stream. Green foliage contains a high moisture content, making it prone to fermentation or rotting. Could drying or pressing the plant residues provide a solution? How can green foliage be transported from the field to the processor? Should harvesting methods be adjusted to enable the valorization of green foliage afterwards? Do these additional treatment processes generate enough economic value to justify the extra costs and investments?
A large number of stakeholders are involved in the valorization of green foliage. Below is an overview of the key producers and consumers:
- Horticulture: tomato, bell pepper, cucumber, eggplant...
- Coarse vegetables: Brussels sprout stalks, cabbage leaves, broccoli stems
- Arable farming: sugar beet foliage...
- Auctions
- Processors for applications such as paper production, biorefining, the chemical industry,...
Contact us!
Do you recognize yourself in the themes discussed here, or do you have questions about the bioeconomy? Then get in touch with the B2BE Facilitator, we handle every inquiry with care.