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Circular economy: from dream to purpose

30 March 2022

A 100% circular economy. Is it possible? We spoke with Bram Kuunders, Marketing & IT Manager at Looop. “We’re a purpose-driven company. We dream of a 100% circular world where waste does not exist.” Read about how they’re doing their bit to turn that dream into reality.

From purchasing through transport to sales

“Our purpose is to keep organic co-products in the production cycle,” says Bram Kuunders. This translates into three branches: purchasing, transport and sales. “Through purchasing we help companies in the food and fermentation industry to produce more sustainably. We look at how we can organise the process in such a way that there are fewer residual flows or that the residual flows can be handled more sustainably. For by-products that are unavoidable, we look for buyers. And we do that for SMEs, but also for many large multinationals,” he continues.

For transport, Looop has a fleet of vehicles specialised in the transport of liquid feed grade organic co-products. Finally, we have sales. Kuunders explains: “We see by-products from the food and fermentation industry as ingredients and raw materials for other applications. That’s why we help companies investigate how to maximise the value of these products. We do this using the Looop ladder. How, for example, can we convert them into fully-fledged raw materials for the food chain, ingredients for animal feed, renewable energy sources…” The goal: to use products to the greatest extent possible, with as little impact on the environment as possible. To this end, Looop cooperates with various partners. “We work, for example, with drying plants that dry by-products and make them suitable for pet food, among other things. We’re also investigating, together with knowledge institutes, how we can take residual flows to a higher level.”

Innovative SMEs

SMEs can also come to Looop. “We find that SMEs are often more innovative and have shorter lines. For them, we can be a true sustainability partner that looks at all facets. We also work in a supply-driven economy. By-products of multinationals and SMEs, for example, can be wide-ranging and need to be marketed so that their production does not grind to a halt. Start-ups often have a limited volume that they can purchase or offer. But we can help them find suitable partners. We have an extensive network; that’s the strength of our organisation. We also started an online store because we noticed that start-ups, but also SMEs, make incredibly attractive circular (consumer) products but often have no sales or service channel for them. And we want to help them. We see it as an opportunity to provide these end products, which actively contribute to making our world more sustainable, with another purpose. Together we’re #MovingCircularityForward”, explains Kuunders.

Just start

“Our advice to SMEs? Just start! We learned by doing. And you can start small, as long as you start. Also try to keep your projects scalable. Don’t start with 40 projects or tackle everything at once. Try starting out with two or so. Moreover, it’s okay if you don’t create the optimal process right away. But surround yourself with knowledge partners in your field and involve them in your process or initiative,” concludes Kuunders.

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