“Market Opportunities for Natural Chemicals from Vegetable Production and Processing”

An estimated 15 percent of vegetable material delivered for processing is not useable as food. This includes peels, stems and leaves as well as blemished or wrong-sized vegetables. This residual material could be a source for high-value, natural chemicals such as antioxidants and oils.

This half-day event will explore challenges and opportunities in extracting, purifying and commercializing these chemicals. Five highly regarded speakers will discuss harvesting and processing techniques, the economics of value-added chemical extraction and purification, drivers for increased use of naturally occurring chemicals in non-food applications and the challenges in bringing such chemicals to market.

The Wisconsin Institute for Sustainable Technology (WIST) has organized this event with sponsorship provided by the Wisconsin Potato and Vegetable Growers Association and the Midwest Food Products Association. The event is part of a collaborative project to create an entrepreneurial network of growers, processors, researchers and economic development professionals who together generate ideas for innovation to take advantage of the region’s assets. The project receives funding from the US Economic Development Administration.

Who should attend?
The conference invites participation from supply chain partners including:

• potato and vegetable growers
• entrepreneurs
• fruit and vegetable processors
• manufacturers and suppliers of specialist pre-processing and processing equipment
• downstream users of naturally derived chemicals looking to differentiate their product lines

Register online now or see the WIST website for more program and registration information: www.uwsp.edu/wist

WIST is an institute within the UW-Stevens Point College of Natural Resources. WIST provides research, laboratory services, and education for business and industry. We bring new ideas and innovation from the university to the private sector. Offices and laboratories are in the Science Building and the Dan Trainer Natural Resources Building on the UW-Stevens Point campus.