News on Energy and Environment from Europe

Biostimulant strategies can help potato crops better cope with field stress conditions, as well as enhance tuber numbers and proportion of marketable crop, according to results of plots at Potatoes in Practice Open Day at the James Hutton Institute.

On August 27, 2025, industry leaders met in the Netherlands for the conference Europe’s Place in a Changing Potato World, co-organised by Potato Europe, Europatat and World Potato Markets during Potato Europe 2025.

La recolección de patata en Salamanca sigue lenta: la siembra se retrasó más de un mes por lluvias y, con el poco interés de la distribución y los bajos precios, los agricultores no se animan a iniciar el arranque.

EUROPLANT marked major anniversaries by raising €20,000 (USD 21,400) for AGUAPAN, a Peruvian initiative preserving potato diversity crucial for breeding, climate resilience, and global food security.

French Fries from McDonald’s may be world-famous, but they often grow just around the corner. Behind every portion of fries stand local farmers cultivating the potatoes, and Dutch entrepreneurs working together for more sustainable potato farming.

Atlas Copco’s heat pumps and steam compressors turn low-temperature waste heat into high-temp energy, cutting energy use and emissions. Electrification replaces fossil fuels, enabling efficient, sustainable, and decarbonized industrial heating.

PotatoEurope 2025 set records with 17,268 visitors from 107 countries on Sept 3-4 in Lelystad, Netherlands. Live demos, trial fields, and top innovations like Croptimal’s Croptiscan 9000 highlighted the event. Next edition: Sept 9-10, 2026, Germany.

Tummers and PolySense partner to launch AI-powered, camera-based potato processing. Debuting on the Delta Roller Spreader, it boosts efficiency, cuts waste, and fuels Tummers Connect, the digital platform for smarter, data-driven operations.

PotatoEurope 2025 takes place 3–4 Sept. at WUR Lelystad with 300+ exhibitors & visitors from 119 countries. Highlights: trial harvests, ICM & market conferences, live demos from harvest to sorting, and innovation test fields.

Tolsma-Grisnich has moved to new sustainable premises at Cavalier 3, Emmeloord, uniting production, logistics & offices. The modern facility boosts efficiency & innovation. Official opening: 5 Sept for business relations, 6 Sept for the public.

Rosenqvists Food Technologies wins Krinova’s Innovation Award 2025 for combining tradition and innovation to drive sustainability, local growth, and Sweden’s global standing. Award received at Kristianstad’s Guldjubel gala by Stefan Björk & Anders Olsson.

In Venlo, the Netherlands, circularity is not just a vision - it’s a working reality. At Looop, a company with roots in the agri-food sector dating back nearly a century, the last 30 years have marked a transformation.

FoodTech Forum 2025 brought together industry experts, customers, and partners for three weeks of live demos and discussions. Heat and Control® hosted sessions focused on innovative, sustainable solutions shaping the future of food processing.

Aberystwyth University leads a cross-border AI project to combat potato late blight, a disease causing €4B in losses annually. The DeepDetect app will help farmers detect infections early, cutting pesticide use and boosting sustainable farming.

PotatoEurope 2025, set for 3–4 Sept in Lelystad, Netherlands, showcases live machinery demos, smart agri-tech, and innovations in potato farming. With 300+ exhibitors and 15,000 visitors, it’s the premier hub to innovate, network, and grow.

Royal Avebe and TNO are pioneering 3D food printing using potato starch to create plant-based meat alternatives. Discover how this sustainable innovation could transform global food production and improve food security worldwide.

Europatat Congress 2025 in Lille brought together Europe’s potato leaders to tackle challenges like climate change, shifting consumption, and global trade. With optimism, speakers stressed innovation, sustainability, and adapting to consumer demands.

Open Farm Sunday 2025 saw a 20% rise in host farms, welcoming 200,000 visitors. The event strengthened public connections to farming, highlighted sustainability, and inspired youth interest in agriculture. Next year’s event is on 7th June 2026.