Byproducts and residuals from agriculture and forestry, previously considered waste, are now receiving more attention as raw materials for new products. The processing and manufacturing of products derived from agriculture and forestry generate large volumes of byproducts and residuals that could be converted to useful products by advanced technologies. The alternative is to continue sending waste products into sewers and landfills or dispose of them by incineration and other environmentally harmful methods. New and improved food and non-food uses for waste products will contribute to economic development and benefit the environment. Processing technologies also can reduce the amount of byproducts and residuals or create safe and cost-effective new uses.
Objectives Create waste-reducing technologies.
Create cost-effective, environmentally sound processing technologies which alter agricultural and forestry materials to reduce the amount of byproducts and residuals. Determine properties of waste. Develop quantitative methods for determining physicochemical properties of byproducts and residuals to monitor and control safety and quality attributes of products developed from them. Develop and utilize rapid analytical methods and in-line sensors to routinely quantify byproduct components and residuals. Develop methods to maintain quality.