Potato Peel Valorisation: Looop and Smicon Drive Circular Innovation

In Venlo, the Netherlands, circularity is not just a vision - it’s a working reality. At Looop, a company with roots in the agri-food sector dating back nearly a century, the last 30 years have marked a transformation. What once was a trader in residual flows has evolved into a leading innovator in the valorisation of organic by-products. Looop is setting the standard for resource recovery in the potato industry and beyond. And Smicon has supported that mission with reliable, tailored machinery

A circular vision in action

Looop's operations revolve around one key principle: no stream goes to waste. Every year, the company processes over 1.5 million tonnes of renewable raw materials, including potato peels, dairy residues, brewer’s grains, and other nutrient-rich waste streams. These are converted into high-value applications such as animal feed, pet food, insect protein, or used in industrial processes like biogas production.

Frank Lavrijsen, co-owner and responsible for technology and innovation at Looop:

"We no longer think in terms of waste. We look at everything as a potential resource."

The power of potato steam peels

A standout success story in Looop's circular model is the use of potato steam peels — a common by-product of steaming and brushing potatoes for fries, mash, or other food products. With the right treatment, these peels become a highly digestible, palatable ingredient in pig feed, or an ideal substrate in insect farming due to their starch-rich composition.

Frank Lavrijsen:

"Steam peels are nutritious and a great example of circular value. We work with processors across the Benelux to give these materials a second life."

Pre-treatment by Smicon

To process these streams efficiently, Looop turned to Smicon — a trusted partner in waste processing technology. The SMIMO15 depackaging and grinding unit plays a central role. This robust system grinds starchy material like potato peels into a homogenous, pumpable mash, ready for further application.

Brechje, Junior Project Leader at Smicon:

"The SMIMO15 is specifically designed for wet, fibrous and starchy materials. It reduces particle size, ensures consistency, and guarantees reliable operation even under high throughput."

The system includes an integrated sieve that filters out oversized particles, delivering high purity and process stability, which is critical for feed applications.

Flexible infrastructure for a dynamic market

The residual stream market is constantly evolving. From seasonal fluctuations to shifting market demands, Looop must adapt quickly. That’s why flexibility and scalability are central to their setup — and why Smicon’s modular equipment is such a good fit.

Frank Lavrijsen:

"We're not just building infrastructure. We’re building a system that can evolve with market needs and unlock the full potential of every stream. We don’t wait for markets to mature - we help build them."

Complete solutions

Beyond technical equipment, Looop also offers logistics, storage, and advisory services to startups developing new applications for organic residuals. Whether it’s spent grain, bread waste, or dairy by-products, Looop functions as an enabler in the circular value chain. And Smicon? Smicon provides the technology and service to make it happen — efficient, robust, and future-proof.

Meet Smicon at PotatoEurope! Smicon will be attending PotatoEurope on 3-4 September 2025. If you're visiting and want to talk about valorising potato waste or recycling technology, we’re happy to meet you.