Five questions for StreamUp Project Lead Tatjana Nebel about supporting Swiss food loss reduction solutions

Food losses can occur at any stage of the supply chain, from production through to consumption, making cross-industry collaboration and innovation crucial for creating effective solutions. One approach to reducing food losses is side stream valorisation, whereby by-products from food processing waste streams are transformed into new, high-value products.

While an increasing number of startups are creating highly innovative solutions in this space, scaling these can prove tricky. This is where StreamUp, a Swiss innovation support programme, encourages the uptake and scaling of food loss reduction solutions.

Tatjana Nebel, Project Lead at StreamUp (United Against Waste), will be joining our lineup of speakers at our forthcoming State of Play on side stream valorisation. Ahead of the event, we sat down with Tatjana to learn more about the programme and its role in the Swiss ecosystem.

Can you tell us more about the StreamUp programme and its goals?

StreamUp is an innovation support programme by national sector network initiative United Against Waste (UAW) that provides access to an exclusive network of experts, research institutes, and decision-makers in the food industry. 

Our mission is to provide coordinated support to the Swiss food industry in order to halve food waste by 2030. We aim to promote and scale innovative solutions that effectively reduce food losses across the entire value chain. The programme offers participants personalised mentoring, tailored workshops, and opportunities to present solutions at events like Focus Food Save, enhancing their visibility and impact.

How does this programme fit in with Switzerland’s food ecosystem, especially in the area of side-stream valorisation?

StreamUp is open to established companies, startups, and academic institutions with promising ideas to measurably reduce food waste, focusing on solutions developed in or intended for the Swiss market. By fostering collaboration and providing resources, StreamUp contributes to a more sustainable and circular food ecosystem in Switzerland.

Can you share a success story from the programme with us?

Blattmann Schweiz AG, a well-established Swiss processing company, has pioneered the production of glucose from potato processing by-products. This innovative approach offers a significantly improved environmental footprint compared to traditional methods. Through a roundtable facilitated by our programme – involving mentors and key stakeholders across the value chain – we successfully engaged potential customers to test this novel raw material. Following successful trials, these clients expressed their willingness to purchase the product.

What does the ideal future of the programme look like for the coming 5 years?

In the next five years, we envision our programme evolving into a sustainable and self-sufficient initiative, bolstered by financial support from the industry thanks to the tangible value it delivers. Our success will be evident through numerous case studies where we’ve facilitated the growth of innovative solutions. A robust alumni network will emerge, with former participants serving as mentors, fostering a community dedicated to mutual support under the shared mission: “Grow Your Food Save Impact.”

Are there specific topics you’re looking forward to tackling at the forthcoming SFNV State of Play event?

At the upcoming SFNV State of Play event, I am eager to explore strategies to further accelerate the growth of innovative solutions. Specifically, I am interested in discussing practical approaches to transition these solutions from niche concepts to mainstream adoption, effectively bringing them “from niche to the table.” This includes examining collaborative ecosystems and partnerships that can facilitate this scaling process.

Meet Tatjana at our State of Play event on 18 March.

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