![](https://www.mnext.nl/app/uploads/2019/12/ui-verdient-meer.jpg)
Dutch onion cultivation and processing produces approximately 30,000 tons of onion skins per year. Onion skins have a high content of quercetin, which can be used as a food supplement, antioxidant and natural coloring agent. Together with partners, CoE BBE has conducted research into the technical and economic feasibility of processing onion skins.
Dutch onion cultivation and processing produces approx. 30,000 tons of onion skins per year, of which approx. 20,000 tons in the vicinity of Kruiningen. This large quantity makes it possible to process the onion skin residual flow centrally. Onion skins have a high content of quercetin, which can be used as a food supplement, anti-oxidant and natural coloring agent. Together with the HOA, onion processors Monie Nieuwdorp BV and Mol Fresh Food BV and the educational institutions Hogeschool Zeeland and Avans Hogeschool (Center of Expertise Biobased Economy), research has been conducted into the technical and economic feasibility of processing onion skins. This project is partly financed by the Province of Zeeland.
Indeed…
The research shows that the refining of onion skins is certainly technically and economically feasible. A process has been developed for the recovery of quercetin in which a high purity is already achieved with a few simple separation steps. Due to the central availability, logistics for the supply of onion skins is not expensive. Finally, quercetin is already known as a dietary supplement. So there is an existing market that will grow in the future. The quercetin in these products can be replaced one-to-one by quercetin from onion skins.
Benefits
- Extra customer for onion skins from onion processors
- Circular and sustainable use of residual electricity
- Environmentally friendly process without additional chemicals
- Well-known product in the market as a dietary supplement
Near future
- Further development and upscaling of the refining process to production scale
- Produce quercetin from onion skins for market research and testing applications
![](https://www.mnext.nl/app/uploads/2024/07/Maria-Hugo-en-Anke-bedrijventerrein-Steenakker_50-608x342.png)
Lokaal opwekken, lokaal gebruiken
![](https://www.mnext.nl/app/uploads/2024/06/Onderstation-binnentuin-Prorail-608x342.png)
Deze gaan we nog vaak terugzien
![](https://www.mnext.nl/app/uploads/2024/06/thumbnail_Saar-SamplesPlasticiet-042023-3-608x342.jpg)
Recycling Water Bottles into Circular Sports Products
![](https://www.mnext.nl/app/uploads/2024/06/shutterstock_246298015-608x342.jpg)
FermiChem
![](https://www.mnext.nl/app/uploads/2024/01/columbus-600x342.png)
Protein of Columbus
![](https://www.mnext.nl/app/uploads/2023/10/Energiek-Onderwijs-vierkant-onder-608x342.png)
BIO-CAPPP
![](https://www.mnext.nl/app/uploads/2023/10/Hoofdafbeelding-Energiek-Onderwijs-608x342.jpg)
Energy Education
![](https://www.mnext.nl/app/uploads/2023/07/BIO-CAPPP-MNEXT-608x342.jpg)
BIO-CAPPP
![](https://www.mnext.nl/app/uploads/2023/03/zonnepanelen-bedrijventerrein-608x342.jpg)
GESCHIKT: energy transition on business parks
![](https://www.mnext.nl/app/uploads/2023/02/shutterstock_77890051_greenhome-608x342.jpg)
Rapid Renewable Materials: the next step in sustainable construction.
![](https://www.mnext.nl/app/uploads/2023/02/board-608x342.jpg)
Mycelium on Board
![](https://www.mnext.nl/app/uploads/2023/01/MicrosoftTeams-image-2-608x342.jpg)
From orange waste to a green future
![](https://www.mnext.nl/app/uploads/2023/01/MicrosoftTeams-image-3-608x342.jpg)
Blueprint of fungal genomes
![](https://www.mnext.nl/app/uploads/2023/01/mapbox-ZT5v0puBjZI-unsplash-608x342.jpg)
BioGov.net
![](https://www.mnext.nl/app/uploads/2022/12/myc-600x342.png)
Water-resistant mycelium composites
![](https://www.mnext.nl/app/uploads/2022/10/wil-stewart-K_TbABnVzHo-unsplash-608x342.jpg)
Sustainable Particle Board
![](https://www.mnext.nl/app/uploads/2022/09/P1200084-608x342.jpg)
Circular Emergency Shelters
![](https://www.mnext.nl/app/uploads/2022/09/banner-1-e1662634826510-608x342.jpg)
FACET
![Totally nuts](https://www.mnext.nl/app/uploads/2022/06/shutterstock_1806155848-608x342.jpg)
Totally Nuts: Circular Biobased Thermosets from Cashew Nutshells
![](https://www.mnext.nl/app/uploads/2022/07/AvansBiobased-041Def-608x342.jpg)
Biodegradation Coatings Stahl
![](https://www.mnext.nl/app/uploads/2022/06/Green-Hub-12-480x342.png)
Green Hub: Information hub value chains green residual flows
![](https://www.mnext.nl/app/uploads/2022/06/chuttersnap-IfmqOuOkaOA-unsplash-608x342.jpg)
Acceleration of nature-inclusive area development
![](https://www.mnext.nl/app/uploads/2022/06/kristin-snippe-shMPfpquMtQ-unsplash-608x342.jpg)
Reflow
![](https://www.mnext.nl/app/uploads/2022/06/Mycelium-Growing-Pavilion_J-Knudsen20191017_49-1-1024x754-1-608x342.jpg)
Biobased Insulation – Lifespan Determination (BILD)
![](https://www.mnext.nl/app/uploads/2022/06/boot-608x342.png)
Setting up and performing biodiesel trials in a coaster ship
![](https://www.mnext.nl/app/uploads/2022/05/Mythic-mycelium-608x342.jpg)
Mythic
![](https://www.mnext.nl/app/uploads/2022/03/PyroCHEM-infographic-1200x675px_EN-608x342.jpg)
PyroCHEM: Waste2Chem Innovation Cluster
![](https://www.mnext.nl/app/uploads/2022/03/Project-Logo-437x342.jpg)
Membrane Technologies
![](https://www.mnext.nl/app/uploads/2022/02/DC8B6216-scaled-1-608x342.jpg)
Flestic
![](https://www.mnext.nl/app/uploads/2021/12/AvansBiobased-248Def-608x342.jpg)
Direct extrusion of PHA-rich biomass
![](https://www.mnext.nl/app/uploads/2021/12/thumbnail_ivan-bandura-6wSevhW1Dzc-unsplash-608x342.jpg)
Production of bioplastics from residual streams (WoW! Capitalisation)
![](https://www.mnext.nl/app/uploads/2021/11/foto-agrifood.jpg)
Powering Agrifood
![](https://www.mnext.nl/app/uploads/2020/05/vlas-608x342.png)
Smart Circular Bridge
![](https://www.mnext.nl/app/uploads/2021/05/thom-masat-8kLFdQh6scA-unsplash-1-608x342.jpg)
Fungal Colourants
![](https://www.mnext.nl/app/uploads/2021/05/Biobouwers-project-afbeelding-lowres-608x342.jpg)
Learning Network Biobuilders
![Orange in the Sea](https://www.mnext.nl/app/uploads/2021/05/ZeewierNoordzeeSmall_DSC3073-608x342.jpg)
Orange in the Sea
![](https://www.mnext.nl/app/uploads/2021/01/aahminozuren-608x342.jpg)
Amino Acids!
![](https://www.mnext.nl/app/uploads/2019/05/building-on-mycelium-800x600-608x342.png)
Building on Mycelium
![](https://www.mnext.nl/app/uploads/2021/03/eggbank-ohNxxapID_k-unsplash-608x342.jpg)
Follow-up S4G
![](https://www.mnext.nl/app/uploads/2021/03/shutterstock_167942129_cottoncoloured-scaled-e1616772477341-608x342.jpg)
Colour Application Centre
![](https://www.mnext.nl/app/uploads/2021/02/MicrosoftTeams-image-1-scaled-e1612188434582-608x342.jpg)
Making disposables disposable
![](https://www.mnext.nl/app/uploads/2021/02/boot.jpg)
Making shipping more sustainable (Russia – Benelux)
![](https://www.mnext.nl/app/uploads/2021/01/zircular-608x342.png)
Zircular Seaweed food
![](https://www.mnext.nl/app/uploads/2021/01/organic-onions-S8A6MPC-608x342.jpg)
Extraction of pectins from onion skins
![](https://www.mnext.nl/app/uploads/2021/01/varieties-of-undergrowth-mushrooms-7CAJWLM-608x342.jpg)
Growing Leather
![](https://www.mnext.nl/app/uploads/2021/01/shutterstock_69930940_biofuelwood-608x342.jpg)
Learning Community Renewable fuels
![](https://www.mnext.nl/app/uploads/2021/01/biopolymeren-608x342.jpg)
PHA accumulation capacity of Sewage Treatment Plant
![](https://www.mnext.nl/app/uploads/2020/12/Reduce-reuse-recycle-608x342.jpg)
NACO – Zero Waste Collective Oosterhout
![](https://www.mnext.nl/app/uploads/2020/12/shutterstock_162956954_greenhouse-608x342.jpg)
Bio Iso (RAAK MKB)
![](https://www.mnext.nl/app/uploads/2020/10/JORT_Afbeelding1-e1603976058349-608x342.jpg)
Design with RRM (rapidly renewable materials)
![](https://www.mnext.nl/app/uploads/2020/10/i-detail-608x342.jpg)
Resin biodegradation
![](https://www.mnext.nl/app/uploads/2020/10/bioploymerenCraze-608x342.jpg)
Biobased gadgets
![](https://www.mnext.nl/app/uploads/2020/10/Schuim1-608x342.jpg)
Biobased foam
![](https://www.mnext.nl/app/uploads/2020/10/IMG_5743-608x342.jpg)
Biobased flocculants for water purification
![](https://www.mnext.nl/app/uploads/2020/10/Vibers-1-608x342.jpg)
Viberscrete – biobased concrete
![](https://www.mnext.nl/app/uploads/2019/09/mooc-biobased-energy-banner-608x342.png)
Innovation Traineeships
![](https://www.mnext.nl/app/uploads/2020/09/b535c42e-182e-4a7c-944f-e4dec2e67243-608x342.jpg)
Building light
![](https://www.mnext.nl/app/uploads/2020/08/Aardbeientray-9-gaats-zwaar-P1-MR-608x342.jpeg)
BioADD
![](https://www.mnext.nl/app/uploads/2020/07/CurCol-banner-600x800-1-608x342.png)
CurCol
![](https://www.mnext.nl/app/uploads/2020/06/you-x-ventures-0K7GgiA8lVE-unsplash-608x342.jpg)
Learning community
![](https://www.mnext.nl/app/uploads/2020/05/Schermafbeelding-2020-05-22-om-10.15.18-608x342.png)
Professors’ platform Biobased Economy
![](https://www.mnext.nl/app/uploads/2020/05/render_partners-608x342.png)
Porter’s lodge Delfland
![](https://www.mnext.nl/app/uploads/2020/05/vlas-608x342.png)
Smart Circular Bridge
![](https://www.mnext.nl/app/uploads/2020/05/1-6-608x342.jpg)
Biobased, circular Christmas bauble with packaging
![](https://www.mnext.nl/app/uploads/2020/04/mycelium-608x342.jpg)
Mycelium boards
![](https://www.mnext.nl/app/uploads/2020/04/IMG_4658-608x342.jpg)
Coloring Mycelium
![](https://www.mnext.nl/app/uploads/2020/03/beton-608x342.png)
Back to the Materials of the Future
![biobased-bloempot](https://www.mnext.nl/app/uploads/2020/02/DSC_2413-608x342.jpg)
National Biobased Database
![](https://www.mnext.nl/app/uploads/2020/02/brug-608x342.jpg)
Structural Health in Biobased Constructions
![](https://www.mnext.nl/app/uploads/2020/01/Levende-kleuren-008-608x342.jpg)
Beauti-Fully Biobased Fibers
![](https://www.mnext.nl/app/uploads/2020/01/depositphotos_63934323-stock-photo-coffee-beans-scattered-on-burlap-608x342.jpg)
Coffee Silverskin Biomass Utilization
![](https://www.mnext.nl/app/uploads/2020/01/carbon-black-barbecue-charcoal-1-608x342.jpg)
Sustainable solid biofuels
![](https://www.mnext.nl/app/uploads/2020/01/142A3090-small-608x342.jpg)
Biobonding: Improved biocomposites
![](https://www.mnext.nl/app/uploads/2020/01/IMG_9379-608x342.jpg)
ZCORE (from Seaweed to COating Resin applications)
![](https://www.mnext.nl/app/uploads/2020/01/Cashew_Nut_Tree-608x342.jpg)
Cashing cashew
![](https://www.mnext.nl/app/uploads/2019/12/suikerbiet.jpg-608x342.png)
Material research for 3D printing
![](https://www.mnext.nl/app/uploads/2019/12/zeewier-sterolen-608x342.jpg)
Seaweed Sterols
![](https://www.mnext.nl/app/uploads/2019/12/ui-verdient-meer-608x342.jpg)
Onion deserves more
![](https://www.mnext.nl/app/uploads/2019/12/opcirkelen-in-de-bouw-608x342.png)
Circling in construction
![](https://www.mnext.nl/app/uploads/2019/11/shutterstock_152590160_wastecorn-608x342.jpg)
Biomass flows in the province of South Holland
![](https://www.mnext.nl/app/uploads/2019/11/blok.jpg)
Circular Bio-based Construction Industry (CBCI)
![](https://www.mnext.nl/app/uploads/2019/11/shutterstock_90523096_wastegarbage-608x342.jpg)
Biodegradability of biopolymer and biopolymer composites
![](https://www.mnext.nl/app/uploads/2019/11/Biobased-Materials-Plus-608x342.png)
BBM+
![](https://www.mnext.nl/app/uploads/2019/11/DSCN3170-608x342.jpg)
Opportunities for composting in Brazil
![](https://www.mnext.nl/app/uploads/2019/09/grote-markt-breda-608x342.png)
Stadsjutters Breda
![](https://www.mnext.nl/app/uploads/2019/09/innovatietafels-608x342.png)
Innovation tables
![](https://www.mnext.nl/app/uploads/2019/04/dani-california-789655-unsplash-608x342.jpg)
Tomatozyme
![](https://www.mnext.nl/app/uploads/2019/02/DSC_1781-608x342.jpg)
MAA’s from algae
![](https://www.mnext.nl/app/uploads/2019/04/shutterstock_162956954_greenhouse-608x342.jpg)
Sensor wise Biobased
![](https://www.mnext.nl/app/uploads/2019/04/bas-emmen-533040-unsplash-608x342.jpg)
Pyrolysis Experimental Garden South
![](https://www.mnext.nl/app/uploads/2019/04/shutterstock_167802773_grasswaterdroplets-608x342.jpg)
Grassification
![](https://www.mnext.nl/app/uploads/2019/04/hout-608x342.png)
REFAWOOD
![](https://www.mnext.nl/app/uploads/2019/03/lars-blankers-564565-unsplash-608x342.jpg)
Valuable ONION
![](https://www.mnext.nl/app/uploads/2019/03/GCC-REWIN-West-Brabant-Biobased_Planten-002-608x342.jpg)
Biobased Network
![](https://www.mnext.nl/app/uploads/2018/12/Biobased-Battle-2018-deelnemers-608x342.jpg)
Living Lab Biobased Brazil
![](https://www.mnext.nl/app/uploads/2019/03/BACBIK12-608x342.jpg)
Biopolymer Application Center
![](https://www.mnext.nl/app/uploads/2019/02/gbo-banner-608x342.png)
Borderless Biobased Education
![](https://www.mnext.nl/app/uploads/2019/02/levende-kleuren-coebbe-608x342.png)
Living Colors
![](https://www.mnext.nl/app/uploads/2019/02/mycelium-test-608x342.png)
Mycelium
![](https://www.mnext.nl/app/uploads/2019/02/biokleur-608x342.jpg)
BioCOLOUR
![](https://www.mnext.nl/app/uploads/2019/02/biocanndo-608x342.png)
BioCannDo
![](https://www.mnext.nl/app/uploads/2019/02/joel-filipe-196735-unsplash-608x342.jpg)
Blue Chain
![](https://www.mnext.nl/app/uploads/2019/02/shutterstock_42966844_waterwaste-608x342.jpg)
WOW!
![](https://www.mnext.nl/app/uploads/2019/01/Biobased-wiki-608x342.jpg)
Green Growth
![](https://www.mnext.nl/app/uploads/2019/01/biobased-challenge-608x342.png)
Biobased Challenge
![](https://www.mnext.nl/app/uploads/2019/01/brug-608x342.jpg)
Biobased bridge
![](https://www.mnext.nl/app/uploads/2019/01/bb100-banner-608x342.png)
Pure Nature: 100% Biobased
![](https://www.mnext.nl/app/uploads/2019/02/logo-lbkn-608x342.jpg)
National Biobased Knowledge Network
![](https://www.mnext.nl/app/uploads/2019/01/gras05-608x342.jpg)