The Waste Transformers secure €1.2 Million to tackle global food waste crisis and drive green growth in IJmond

IJMUIDEN, THE NETHERLANDS – Around the world, companies are dealing with the urgent challenge of managing food waste, which accounts for over 6% of global greenhouse gas emissions. The Waste Transformers, based in IJmond, are proving that innovative solutions can solve this pressing issue and create new green jobs and drive business growth.

The Waste Transformers received a major boost during the “Entrepreneurship with Impact” conference in IJmuiden, where The Waste Transformers were awarded €1.2 million in subsidies from the European Just Transition Fund (JTF).

This funding will enable The Waste Transformers to expand the transformative work, establishing IJmond as a global leader in sustainable innovation while helping businesses worldwide turn food waste into clean energy and new economic opportunities. The cheques were presented by Jeroen Verwoort, Alderman and Chairman of the Regional Steering Committee for the JTF IJmond, in recognition of the company’s vision for a climate-neutral future.

Solving the global food waste crisis with local innovation

As businesses face growing pressure to address food waste sustainably, The Waste Transformers offer a decentralized solution: compact, containerized systems that transform food waste into clean energy, heat, and natural fertilizer—directly on-site. By cutting the need for waste transportation, eliminating landfill emissions, and reducing reliance on chemical fertilizers, the biodigesters are reshaping waste management and advancing the global shift toward a circular economy.

A Waste Transformer biodigester processes from 300 kilograms of food waste daily. This innovative approach helps businesses worldwide reduce costs, lower emissions, and enhance their environmental impact stories.

“The food waste crisis is not just an environmental issue—it’s a missed economic opportunity,” said Coen Bakker from The Waste Transformers who received the two cheques on stage. “Our solutions empower businesses to turn food waste into value while driving local employment and innovation. This funding is a vital step in scaling these efforts.”

Powering green jobs and economic growth in IJmond

The €1.2 million subsidy will support The Waste Transformers in scaling up production, building critical infrastructure, and creating pathways for green employment in the region. The proposed projects, aligned with the European Union’s goal of a climate-neutral Europe by 2050, will position IJmond as a hub for sustainable innovation and clean energy research.

The supported initiative include:

1. Standardizing Waste Transformer production:
   To meet growing global demand, The Waste Transformers will streamline production processes. This will make the biodigesters more accessible to companies worldwide.
2. Investing in the smart workplace | Energy Hub Velsen:
   Enhancements to the facility at Blok System Supply will support advanced research in clean energy and sustainability, establishing IJmond as a centre for green innovation.
3. Developing modular, Plug-and-Play Systems:
   New add-ons will increase the applicability of a Waste Transformer biodigester, enabling expansion into new markets and industries while making deployment easier for customers.
4. Launching The Waste Transformer Academy:
   This education and training program will reskill local workers for technical jobs in the green energy sector, addressing the regional shortage of skilled labor and creating sustainable employment opportunities.

Making IJmond a global example of sustainability

This bold vision for IJmond isn’t just about local impact—it’s about setting a global precedent. By scaling production and sharing the solutions with the world, The Waste Transformers are helping businesses across industries—from hospitality to retail and beyond—turn their food waste into a competitive advantage.

This Waste Transformer transforms municipal food waste into clean energy.

With support from the Just Transition Fund, The Waste Transformers are further building the new narrative: one where solving the food waste crisis means creating green jobs, reducing emissions, and building a more sustainable economy. IJmond can transform as a leader in this transformative shift, proving that addressing climate challenges and creating economic opportunities can go hand in hand.

Join the Waste Revolution

As The Waste Transformers build their academy, energy hub, and modular innovations, they invite businesses worldwide to join them in rethinking food waste as an untapped resource. Together, they aim to turn food waste into a driver of green jobs, business success, and a sustainable future.