From fruit waste streams to stronger biocomposites

What if rejected fruit and other sugar-rich residual streams were no longer considered waste, but rather raw materials for innovative biomaterials? In the SCOBIOSE project, partners from Flanders and the Netherlands are developing a circular value chain in which bacteria convert these residual streams into high-quality bacterial cellulose.

Every year, large quantities of fruit and vegetable waste are generated in Flanders and the Netherlands. Pears, apples, strawberries, and other produce that are rejected—often because they fail to meet commercial quality standards—remain perfectly suitable as raw materials. As a result, valuable sugars are lost, and economic opportunities for farmers go untapped.

At the same time, there is a growing demand for sustainable, bio-based materials capable of replacing fossil-based or non-renewable resources. Bacterial cellulose is a promising material with unique properties, including high purity, mechanical strength, water retention, and biodegradability. It can be used in a wide range of applications, from packaging and coatings to composites and alternatives to leather.

SCOBIOSE addresses both challenges by valorizing residual streams from the agricultural and food sectors into a high-value biomaterial, thereby fostering the development of new circular value chains.

The project begins with the selection and analysis of suitable sugar-rich residual streams. Researchers are mapping the composition and availability of these streams to determine which are best suited for fermentation. Subsequently, fermentation processes are being developed and optimized to produce bacterial cellulose with a high yield and consistent quality. The project also explores how culture media and by-products can be reused to the greatest extent possible within a circular process. Subsequently, the technology is scaled up to pilot installations, which are developed and tested in collaboration with agricultural businesses. These demonstrations provide practical insights into production, logistics, and implementation. Finally, the material produced undergoes extensive characterization and evaluation for various applications. Based on this, new opportunities are identified for industry, material development, and circular value chains.

What does NPSP do?

Within the SCOBIOSE project, NPSP investigates the state of the art regarding nanocellulose in biocomposites—covering aspects such as mechanical properties, production methods, surface functionalization, and dispersion. Furthermore, we characterize the nanocellulose extracted from the SCOBY and conduct tests aimed at enhancing the properties of the resulting composites.

Financed by:

Also see: Over ons | SCOBIOSE | Interreg Vlaanderen-Nederland