Combating food losses: Innosuisse funding for B2B marketplace Circunis and FHNW

On 1 September 2024, the University of Applied Sciences and Arts Northwestern Switzerland FHNW will start its research work on the further development and optimization of the Circunis concept, the leading Swiss platform for the circular economy-optimized recycling of unused food. The first version of this platform has been on the market since April 2024 and has already achieved initial success.

Validate offer through research and develop it further in line with needs

The FHNW is conducting research into the specific needs of companies in the food industry in order to further increase the degree of utilization of surplus goods. The findings are being incorporated into the further development of the Circunis business model, the range of supplementary services and the integration of possible logistics and fulfillment solutions. The supply and demand of other resources are also an issue, for example side streams from food production, packaging or available production equipment and machinery.

The research team led by Prof. Dr. Claus-Heinrich Daub, lecturer in sustainable management and marketing, and Aline von Jüchen, research assistant at the Institute for Corporate Management at the FHNW School of Business, is also looking at the framework conditions for effective impact measurement. In future, companies should be able to quantify the impact generated by their commitment to utilizing surplus.

Making food surpluses visible and tradable

The Circunis principle is simple but effective: food-producing companies register their surplus food and place it on the platform. They can then be found by food processing, system and care catering companies and wholesalers, who can then contact the producers and negotiate directly with them. Whether they pass on the goods free of charge or for a fee and how they organize the logistics is up to them. Circunis serves as a bridge builder and connects the various parties, but does not trade. The launch at the end of April was successful, and a good 50 companies are already using the B2B marketplace.

→ Find out more now at circunis.ch. New participants receive a 50% discount on the first annual fee until the end of September 2024.