Revolutionizing global food waste with AI-driven robotic upcycling solutions

BRITISH COLUMBIA/CANADA, 29 June 2021: TrendiTech Inc (Trendi), a Canadian-based start-up dedicated to creating new robotic, AI-driven food waste processing solutions, has raised USD 1.82 million (CAD 2.25m) in seed funding for its Biotrim mobile processing technology.

The funding was led by WGG Capital Canada and Florida’s Vestech Partners.

Looking at the annual problem of USD 750billion in food wastage, Trendi aims to bring on agricultural partners, non-profits, food processors, and more to galvanize change. It hopes to revolutionize global food waste by reducing food loss at its source. Its state-of-the-art Biotrim mobile processing units upcycle avoidable food waste and turn it into a shelf-stable product that can be repurposed, called Bioflakes. One unit can upcycle approximately 300,000kg of food waste annually.

Bioflakes can be repurposed for use in a variety of industries, including food and beverage, agriculture, packaging, textile, and biofuel. For example, Trendi’s future Enhance line turns shelf-stable Bioflakes into multi-purpose, nutrient-dense food and beverage enhancers.

Trendi was also recently named a semi-finalist in the Government of Canada's Food Waste Reduction Challenge.

Herbert Madan of WGG Capital Canada was cited as saying that “When I look to invest in a seed round for a company, I look for viability, technology, and potential growth. Trendi caught my eye because they are solutions-based, using innovative technology to turn food waste into useful, edible products for human consumption on a global scale. Nations at large can be positively impacted by what they are creating. Their Biotrim robotics can reach all corners of the world. By championing a significant cause, they will help create a circular economy for the food waste diversion industry.”

According to the 2021 Food Waste Index Report by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), an estimated 931 million tonnes of food waste was generated in 2019. The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) estimates the direct economic consequences equals USD 750 billion annually.

Craig McIntosh, CEO, and co-founder of TrendiTech Inc said “Food waste is a growing global problem, exacerbating not only food insecurity, but also contributing to climate change, pollution, and biodiversity loss. We are both thrilled and excited to have secured vital seed funding for our Biotrim mobile processing technology. It shows how reducing food waste is and should be a priority for all. Most importantly, it gives our partners the power to turn their unwanted food into edible, tasty, and nutritious products for people to enjoy.”

Trendi’s Biotrim mobile processing units are currently in production, with a prototype expected to be complete for testing and evaluation in 2022.

Image credit: smallbizdaily.com