Pulse
Monthly snapshot of the transition
A regular pulse on the signals and momentum shaping circular, resource-efficient food systems.
Circular
Food Upcycling
Explore the organisations, innovations and insights helping food systems use resources more efficiently and create value from side streams. Discover the ecosystem driving the transition towards more circular and resource efficient food systems.
- 140+
- organisations
- 7
- stakeholder groups
- 18
- innovation domains
- 12
- countries
- 8,200+
- signals monitored
Introduction
Food systems worldwide face increasing pressure to reduce waste, improve resource efficiency and maximise the value of available resources. The Food Upcycling transition focuses on recovering value from side streams, reducing losses and enabling more circular production and processing models.
The ecosystem includes food manufacturers, ingredient companies, technology providers, researchers, investors and ecosystem organisations working together to build more resilient and resource-efficient food systems.
Ecosystem Facts & Figures
A live snapshot of the organisations, signals and connections we track in this transition.
- 140+
- organisations
- 7
- stakeholder groups
- 18
- innovation domains
- 12
- countries
- 8,200+
- signals monitored
Key Innovation Areas
The domains where innovation is concentrating across this transition.
- Upcycling
- Value from food side streams
- Side Stream Valorisation
- Recovering value from by-products
- Circular Ingredients
- Ingredients from recovered streams
- Waste Reduction
- Cutting losses across the chain
- Resource Efficiency
- Water, energy & input reduction
- Circular Supply Chains
- Closed-loop sourcing & logistics
- Food Processing Technologies
- Processing for circular production
Foodleap Insights
Pulses, radars and deep dives from the Circular transition.
Radar
Emerging players and trends
Discover the emerging organisations and innovations driving food upcycling and circularity.
Deep Dive
In-depth circular food reports
Deep dive analyses exploring upcycling, valorisation and resource efficiency.
Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know about the Circular transition on Foodleap.
What is food upcycling?
Food upcycling turns food side streams and by-products that would otherwise go to waste into higher-value ingredients and products.
How can side streams be valorised?
Side streams can be valorised through technologies that recover proteins, fibres, bioactives and other components for use in new food, feed or materials.
Which organisations are active in this transition?
The ecosystem includes food manufacturers, ingredient companies, technology providers, researchers, investors and ecosystem organisations.
What technologies enable circular food systems?
Extraction, fermentation, separation and processing technologies enable the recovery, valorisation and reuse of resources across the food chain.
Explore the other transitions
The food system is shifting along several distinct axes.
Protein
Protein Transition
Explore the organisations, innovations and insights driving the protein transition.
Health
Health & Functional Food
Explore the organisations and innovations at the intersection of food, nutrition and health.
Nature Positive
Regenerative Agriculture
Explore the organisations and initiatives contributing to the regenerative agriculture transition.
Be part of the Circular transition
Join the organisations building a more sustainable food system — add your organisation or talk to our team.