Live Twice

Our vision

The Netherlands, a global leader in greenhouse construction and plant cultivation, generates a significant amount of biomass waste from high-wire crops. This waste, mostly stems, leaves, and subpar fruits, is typically composted or used for energy production with unseparated plastic tools. Given the rising costs of biomass disposal associated with plastic contamination, we aim to design advanced biomass waste treatment methods that can add value and improve circularity in the greenhouse industry. By effectively repurposing waste, growers can offset increased production costs, operate more sustainability, and maintain competitiveness, thus benefiting themselves and other stakeholders.

Our solution

We utilize tomato biomass from the greenhouse, a widely available horticulture waste, to extract fibres and convert them into bio-degradable twines. This distinctive approach tackles two key issues: waste management and sustainable production. The extracted fibers are transformed into eco-friendly rope and provide a greener alternative to synthetic fossil-based products for greenhouse use, reducing environmental footprints. This opportunity capitalizes on the increasing demand for sustainable solutions within the horticulture industry. Its uniqueness lies in recycling a typically discarded resource, demonstrating a closed-loop system that both benefits the environment and offers economic advantages, setting a precedent for future sustainable horticulture practices.

About the team

Live Twice is an international team of Master’s students and PhD candidates from Wageningen University. Thanks to our expertise in Food science, Plant science and Landscape architecture, we believe the best way to find the solution is to bravely cross the border of different disciplines and learn from each other. One thing we share in the team is our love and passion for lives, no matter small or big, young or old.

Team members:

Haoyu Yang

Sijia Chen

Qing Ren

Dingming Rao

Apostolos Tavlaridis