Australia’s potato processing sector generates significant volumes of organic waste – mainly from the peeling and sorting of potatoes used in the production of French fries and other value-added products. This by-product stream, although rich in nutrients, presents major logistical and environmental challenges due to its high-water content and microbial instability.
A pilot project led by Whole Green Foods and supported by the South-West WA Drought Resilience Adoption and Innovation Hub through funding from the Future Drought Fund set out to evaluate the potential of converting this underutilised biomass into a high-value, safe, and sustainable livestock feed ingredient. The aim was to demonstrate that this waste stream could be stabilised and revalorised, helping to reduce landfill dependency, lower methane emissions, and support local livestock operations.
Project objectives
The project was structured around four main objectives:
- Design and optimise a scalable process using the proprietary WINX™ processing technology to convert potato peel into a livestock feed input.
- Generate evidence demonstrating the efficiency and nutritional suitability of the processed waste using model feed rations and animal model studies.
- Identify ancillary processes needed to achieve microbial safety, transport readiness, and compatibility with existing feed systems.
- Estimate potential greenhouse gas reductions and evaluate the financial viability of commercial-scale implementation.
Methodology
Initial investigations identified two main types of potato waste: steam-peeled skins, which contain hydrated starch more digestible by non-ruminants, and cold-peeled skins, which retain intact starch granules and cellular integrity suitable for dewatering trials. Raw material samples were analysed for macronutrients, heavy metals, and microbial load, with Bacillus cereus identified as the key contaminant. Organic acids, including acetic, propanoic, and formic acids, were tested to determine effective microbial stabilisation.
Feeding trial protocols were developed for weaner and grower pigs, modelling feed rations that substituted up to 20% of barley with treated potato waste. Process development work included pilot-scale trials to assess dewatering performance using WINX™ treatment. Results showed that untreated skins caused filter blinding, while WINX™-treated skins achieved moisture contents between 58% and 62% using vacuum filtration.
Greenhouse gas modelling indicated that processing one tonne of potato skins could result in a net reduction of 0.68 tonnes of CO₂ emissions compared to landfill disposal and conventional grain use.
This work was supported by technical and industry input from ACE Livestock Consulting, Aquila Scientific, Thompson & Redwood, Simplot and Bendotti.
Key findings
The pilot project demonstrated that potato waste can be transformed from an environmental and economic burden into a viable feed ingredient. The WINX™ technology significantly improved dewaterability, enhanced nutrient bioavailability, and produced a pumpable, semi-dry material well-suited to existing livestock feeding systems.
Bench-scale trials confirmed that co-locating processing facilities near potato processing sites is essential to minimise transport costs and ensure economic viability. The modelling also emphasised the importance of integrating the new process seamlessly into existing workflows to reduce operational costs.
Crucially, the project highlighted strong interdisciplinary collaboration and effective knowledge transfer between the potato processing and livestock feed sectors. This partnership fostered innovation by combining expertise across industries, which was instrumental in developing practical, scalable solutions.
Overall, the pilot established a solid foundation for further scale-up, including larger controlled feeding trials, additional process refinement, and continued engagement with industry stakeholders. It presents a replicable model for turning food processing waste into a valuable local resource, supporting circular economy principles and enhancing resilience in livestock supply chains.
