Netherlands: Onion skins used for fermentation

For many years, onion peels were send back to the fields as compost. Martin Jansen of Arjazon Onion Trade had long since had the idea of converting the skins into a more effective resource. “We had the plan seven years ago, but it took a while before we actually put it to use.” His company now gives the skins to a special installation able to revert the waste into electricity and heat.

And so, another activity was added to the onion trader. It now provides the installation with a consistent supply of organic waste. “In times when saving energy and natural resources are becoming ever more important, this contribution to the production of biogas can be an interesting new venture for producers of fresh produce,” says Martin.

“The demand for sustainable energy,” he continues, “is up in the entire sector. To clarify some of these issues we set up a website www.biomassa.eu.” According to the traffic the site is generating, many industry people are curious about matters concerning biogas and biomass. Biomass, as a renewable energy source, is biological material from living, or recently living organisms. As an energy source, biomass can either be used directly, or converted into other energy products such as biofuel.

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