Introduction
- Name: INO 006_BE_BREADWASTE & MUSHROOMS
- Innovation project
- Amount: 27 000€
Global objective of the project
The objective of our project is to upscale the recycling process of spoiled grains in gourmet mushrooms substrates production.
After few years of activity, Eclo SRL, launchED a new factory in 2024 with the goal of becoming leader of mushroom substrates production using co-product of other industries.
To help them in their mission, they got the support of the European BResilient call (innovation category).
Presentation of the SME Eclo
For 8 years, Eclo developed an unique way to produce high quality organic substrates made of agricultural co-products (sawdust, wheat bran, straw…). The company now produced more than 100 tons of substrates per week. The goal of the project is to focus on the potentiality of using new co-product to replace a mix of cereals containing an high nitrogen rate (needs : >10tons/week).
Although our initial goal was to process more than 10 tons of unsold bread per week, we’ve faced challenges due to supply chain issues, specifically the lack of a stable supplier with organic certification and the high cost of suitable materials.
We decided to change the orientation of the study to re-focus our project on the use of organically grown cereal grains spoiled because of climatic reason. Indeed, due to heavy rains in early August that prevent the farmer from harvesting the cereals crops are partially lost. While waiting for better weather to harvest, the cereal remains in the field for too long and sprouts.
Additionally, the rain washes out these grains, leading to a decrease in protein content and changing the grain’s chemical composition. In wheat, for example, this enzyme makes the dough too sticky and difficult to work with, resulting in poor-quality bread that is hard to cut and not very appetizing. These grains are deemed non-bakable. According to the farmers consulted, this phenomenon is becoming more frequent due to climate change. The most affected cereals are wheat, spelt, and rye. We want to analyse the feasibility of using those grains in our substrates. This is a win-win solution for both sides because farmers will get an outlet for this merchandise and Eclo will increase his margin by decreasing their cost.
Therefore, while our original work plan anticipated using bread as our primary waste material, the practical challenges have necessitated a shift towards other viable organic waste streams, maintaining our commitment to sustainability and innovation.
Project objectives
The current project wants to validate the technical and economic feasibility of using spoiled grains for substrates production. The use of those cereals should not affect the yield and quality of the process. Few hundred tests has been done to detect the positive or negative aspect of spoiled grains substrates production.
Expected benefits
This project will increase the profitability of Eclo by decreasing the cost of the company. It will also give a great outlet for the farmer’s production. Instead of seeing those spoiled grains as a problem, we proved they could be an ecological and economical solution for our project and for the farmer. By using them as a substrate for mushroom cultivation, we can add value while reducing waste. We aim to turn the adverse effects of climate change into an opportunity for mushroom production.
The advantage to be part of the european project B-Resilient
B-resilient allowed us to make a fast transition to a new co-products for our mushroom’s substrates production. Thanks to this European project we have produced a great innovation with a lot of positive consequences for different actors in Belgium.
Thanks to the B-Resilient project, we got the opportunity to evaluate the possibility of using wasted organic bread as component for our mushroom substrate. The no-validation of the concept helped us to explore a new innovative potential of using spoiled grains.
The first results are very promising and now we are impatient to know the final results of this new solution.
