We’re excited to have GTF Technologies join us at Bridge2Food North America 2026. What motivated GTF to be part of this year’s event?
Bridge2Food’s goal of “connecting science to real-world applications to drive innovation for a more resilient and sustainable food system” is very closely aligned with what we’re trying to do here at GTF. I also really like the size and format of the event. It’s a smaller, more focused group, which makes it easier to have meaningful conversations with people who are actually working on these challenges and looking for practical solutions.
Upcycling is approached in many different ways across the industry. What sets GTF Technologies' approach apart?
Our 2-in-1 RENU™ technology dries and mills at the same time — with a residence time of less than one second. Combined with moderate operating temperatures, that ultra-fast processing helps produce powders with excellent color, favor, and nutrient retention… with a 5-log microbial reduction built in.
But what really sets our approach apart is that we’re not just focused on turning a side stream into a powder. We want to help our customers create a high-quality, valuable ingredient that they can actually sell — while keeping processing costs competitive. At the end of the day, we want upcycling to make good business sense, not just environmental sense.
GTF Technologies’ session moves from waste to value across upcycled ingredients and circular systems. What central message does GTF aim to leave with the audience?
I think the big takeaway is that there’s a lot more value in our food system than we’re currently capturing. Materials that have traditionally been viewed as waste or low-value byproducts can often become valuable ingredients if you have the right technology and the right market for them. Brewers spent grain is a great example of that.
And even more importantly, it has to make economic sense. If we can help a food manufacturer turn a disposal cost into a new revenue stream, while also making better use of the resources they already have, that’s a win all around.
Sustainability and profitability do not have to be mutually exclusive.
From GTF Technologies' vantage point, which market trends are opening up new opportunities for upcycled ingredients?
We’re seeing a lot of interest in clean-label, traceable, and nutrient-dense ingredients, functional foods, alternative proteins, plant-based dyes, and more sustainable products. At the same time, food manufacturers are looking for ways to get more value from the materials they already have and reduce their processing and disposal costs.
That combination is creating new opportunities for upcycled ingredients. We’re especially focused on side streams that still have nutritional or functional value but have traditionally been treated as waste. With more efficient processing technology, those materials can become useful ingredients for food, pet nutrition, supplements and nutraceuticals, and even applications outside of food like sustainable packaging materials and personal care products.
I think we’re just scratching the surface when it comes to what’s possible with upcycled products. There’s a lot of potential out there, and it’s going to be fun to see where this market goes.
