News on Sustainability from Belgium

Europatat welcomes the EU’s adoption of the NGT Regulation, opening new opportunities for innovative potato varieties with improved disease resistance, climate adaptability, and processing traits, while boosting breeding research and investment.

EUPPA members met in Brussels on June 9–10, 2026, to discuss food safety, agriculture, sustainability and policy developments affecting the potato processing sector. The programme also included a visit to the European Parliament.

Europatat elected Peter Ton, COO of Royal HZPC Group, as President for 2026–2030 during its Brussels Congress. Members also reviewed strategy priorities, including trade, sustainability, water, nutrition, and potato research across Europe.

The European Commission launched a Fertiliser Action Plan to support farmers, strengthen EU fertiliser production, reduce import dependency, boost food security, and accelerate sustainable, bio-based solutions.

Potato Processor Agristo integrates sustainability into operations, using Operational Excellence to improve efficiency and reduce water, energy, and raw material use—turning smarter processes into a more responsible future.

The European Snacks Association releases its 2025 Sustainability Report, highlighting members’ efforts in resource efficiency, sustainable sourcing, energy savings, and eco-friendly packaging, supporting the EU Green Deal and circular economy initiatives.

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.

Lutosa celebrated a key milestone in its development at Waregem, with the official inauguration of a vast industrial investment project.

Brussels marked the 2nd International Day of Potato with a conference and exhibition, highlighting the crop's role in food security, sustainability, and innovation. Stakeholders called for supportive EU policies to boost the potato value chain.

Roger & Roger has been honoured as the first SDG Pioneer in Wallonia by the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR). This prestigious title recognizes companies that have successfully integrated sustainability and the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) into their operations.

BELFertil and Belgapom collaborate to offer growers, crop supervisors, and advisors a new website dedicated to sustainable fertilization practices for potatoes.

As part of a package of measures for a sustainable use of natural resources, the European Commission is proposing to set legally binding food waste reduction targets to be achieved by Member States (MS) by 2030.

Copa-Cogeca, Freshfel Europe, the European Fresh Produce Association, and Europatat, the European Potato Trade Association, have taken note of the European Commission’s proposal for a Regulation on Packaging and Packaging Waste that was published on 30 November 2022

Potato trade association Europatat will participate in EU project WASTELESS, which aims to develop tools for measuring food loss and waste in the EU food supply chain, currently estimated at 88 million tonnes every year.

The Conference main theme was 'EUPPA driving sustainability across the potato processing sector'. It was the first gathering of the kind since the Covid-19 outbreak.

Starch Europe announced the adoption and publication of a sector-wide decarbonisation Roadmap 2019-2030.
At their yearly conference, returning this year to an in person event

When businesses behave with sustainability, it’s not only society that benefits – this can also help bring in new business. Stefaan Kennis, Director of Strategy, Market Intelligence and Sustainability at TOMRA Food.

It’s not easy for potato growers and processors to always ensure food safety or meet customers’ specified standards. For one thing, all sorts of foreign materials get mixed up with potatoes when they’re harvested.