How 3D Printing Helps Reducing Food Waste

Time：2018-11-27 From：

The Dutch company Oceanz and vegetable grower Cooperative DOOR want to reduce the amount of food waste. Their solution: 3D printing technology!
 

Food waste is a global issue. Worldwide, one third of all food is thrown away. 3D printing might now help to minimize the waste. Thanks to a cooperation between Dutch company Oceanz and vegetable grower Cooperative DOOR.
 

But overripe food is not only thrown away in supermarkets. Customers who want perfect looking food play their part as well. Public authorities, growers, wholesalers and supermarkets are already trying to reduce food waste with different approaches. 3D-printed food could add new ideas into the discussion about the high quantities of discarded food.
 

“It’s Clear That We Will Be Dealing with 3D-Printed Food in the Future”

Cooperative DOOR and Oceanz see the additive production of food as an opportunity to minimize the waste.
 

“Many 3D food printing projects are currently still ‘fun gadgets’, but in the end we are going into a professional 3D food printing market. It’s clear that we will be dealing with 3D printed food in the future,”says Erik van der Garde, CEO of Oceanz.
 

The Netherlands have already done a lot of research in 3D printing for food. It’s possible to adapt the food exactly to a customer’s preferences, DNA profile or physical condition. This offers the possibility to produce new types of high quality food concepts.
 

Food Waste and Future Food Trends

The aim of the two companies is to use 100 percent of the food.
 

“In order to process the quantities to the maximum and work towards 100% usage of the product volumes produced, Cooperative DOOR has carried out various projects to reduce food waste from primary production,”explains Martijn Kesteloo, Business Development Manager at DOOR.
 

“They began years ago to dry tomato wedges for use in restaurants and catering. With rejected tomatoes they have created a basis for tomato spread and paste and, to take it a step further, they are looking for new ways of 3D printing food. With 3D printing, Cooperative DOOR aims to achieve one of its sustainability goals, the ‘100% use of its products’.”
 

With this project, DOOR Cooperative and Oceanz are taking up two important current topics: food waste and future food trends.