What do we see?
The graph below illustrates the output of fermentation in Flanders. We see an increase in the amount of animal manure processing and a significant decrease in raw digestate.
We do not currently have the necessary data from Vlaco to provide more information about the evolution of the destination of digestate.
What’s the aim?
In a circular economy, our primary aim is to prevent waste by maximising the use of products. Where waste is unavoidable, we look at ways to get value out of that waste.
Both compost and digestate can play an important role in bringing the food chain full circle because this is how nutrients are returned to the field. The agricultural industry mainly uses animal fertilisers for this, while compost is more commonly used in other sectors.
What does this indicator measure?
This indicator shows the output of the fermentation of residual food streams. The various residual food streams that come from households and companies are mainly fermented or composted.
Composting is a biological process during which oxygen helps convert organic material into compost, which can then be used to improve soil quality. Fermentation is an anaerobic process in which micro-organisms convert biomass into solid digestate (fertilisers) or biogases. Both processes can play an important role in bringing the food chain full circle.
