Potatoes processed into disinfectant

With the current surplus of chips potatoes due to the corona crisis, new destinations are more than welcome. The Inspection Service of Value has used potatoes for the production of disinfectant.

One and one is two, now that the disinfecting hand gels are not available and the potato sector is struggling with huge surpluses. However, there does not appear to be a gap in the market yet. The process is more complicated than expected. “It was not easy for the brewer to make alcohol from potatoes, the entire machinery got stuck, so they were busy late into the night,” says Marijn Frank, presenter of the TV program Keuringsdienst van Waarde.

1 million kilos
A grower who is struggling with 20.25 million kilos of French fries potatoes is participating in the broadcast, which can be seen on NPO 3 next Thursday at 1 pm. In the end we succeeded in obtaining alcohol from some of his potatoes and making disinfectant spray. This will be distributed to emergency responders.

Earlier it turned out that sugar beets can play a role in the production of disinfectants. The alcohol in these products can come from bioethanol. Sugar factories are responding to this with their production of bio-ethanol, which is extracted from sugar beet. Brewers are also working to use unsaleable beer for the production of disinfectants, among other things. In addition, animal feed is a alternative destination for this beer.

Jeanette Pennings

Jeannet has her roots in the flower bulb sector and she grew up on an agricultural company in the northern part of North Holland. As a generalist she reports for Boerenbusiness across all sectors. She is also exploring the possibilities of sponsored advertising.

j.pennings@boerenbusiness. Nl

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