Although the circular economy may still seem like an ideal in some respects, there are already very concrete and profitable applications today. The family-run business Quatra is one such example. It began collecting and processing used cooking oil in 2009. Today, the group has grown to become one of the largest players in that market in Europe: operating in 10 countries, with 850 employees.
"}},{"componentType":"sectionTitle","title":"A waste stream that is becoming increasingly valuable"},{"alignedImage":{"position":"left","extension":"jpg","original":"https://assets.ing.com/asset/1f6d17c0-6503-4e12-815b-7be1060691e2/18032025-WVV-LOKEREN-BELGIE-Quatra.jpg","transformBaseUrl":"https://assets.ing.com/transform/1f6d17c0-6503-4e12-815b-7be1060691e2/18032025-WVV-LOKEREN-BELGIE-Quatra"},"componentType":"paragraph","richBody":{"value":"Quatra purifies the collected oils and fats so that they can serve as a high-quality raw material for specialised refineries. Director Piet Van Pollaert: “We supply the base product they use to produce circular fuels. On the one hand, this is renewable diesel (HVO); on the other, it is Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF), the kerosene substitute that is set to play a crucial role in making aviation more sustainable in the coming years.”
More and more major oil companies are therefore investing in the production of SAF
The market for renewable fuels is still a niche one, but it is gaining in importance as a result of European regulations. Airlines are gradually being required to blend more sustainable fuel with fossil kerosene. “That percentage currently stands at two per cent and will rise further in the coming years. More and more major oil companies are therefore investing in the production of SAF. As a result, demand for suitable raw materials is also growing strongly,” says Van Pollaert. “After all, kerosene is expected to remain the main fuel for aviation for a long time to come.”
"}},{"componentType":"sectionTitle","title":"Innovation as a driver of growth"},{"componentType":"paragraph","richBody":{"value":"Over the years, Quatra has expanded its scope of operations to include the processing of fatty acids, margarines and butters from the food industry, as well as oil-containing waste streams – such as those resulting from the cleaning of tanks and boats. The impurities that the company extracts from used oil are also given a new lease of life. Organic waste streams such as food waste are processed in biogas plants, whilst plastics and metals are sent to specialist processors for recycling.
Our tankers, which can both suck up waste oil and pump fresh oil, simply didn’t exist before
“We have evolved into a genuine oil management company,” says Piet Van Pollaert. “When we collect used frying oil, we simultaneously deliver fresh oil in bulk to our customers in the hospitality sector. Thanks to the development of our own vehicles, tanks and digitalisation, we can also support them with stock management. This enables us to operate more sustainably and cost-effectively, whilst preventing waste.”
To make all this possible, the company is investing heavily in innovation. It has already developed a great deal of its own technology. “Our tankers, which can both suck up waste oil and pump fresh oil, simply didn’t exist before. We also devised the smart storage tanks ourselves. And at the moment, we’re actively implementing AI to optimise our logistics and improve the service we provide to customers.”
"}},{"componentType":"sectionTitle","title":"Further upscaling and high-value utilisation"},{"alignedImage":{"position":"right","extension":"jpg","original":"https://assets.ing.com/asset/01b15f27-da22-4a07-9c23-1be4b9a81faf/Willem-ter-Heerdt.jpg","transformBaseUrl":"https://assets.ing.com/transform/01b15f27-da22-4a07-9c23-1be4b9a81faf/Willem-ter-Heerdt"},"componentType":"paragraph","richBody":{"value":"The Lokeren-based company aims to increase the volumes it collects from 250,000 to 400,000 tonnes per year by 2030. In addition to organic growth, it is targeting further expansion in Spain, Italy, Portugal and Poland. Quatra works closely with ING on its financing. “They have always supported us and have become our main bank. What we particularly appreciate is their speed of decision-making and the fact that they really understand our business model. They also help us think through each subsequent phase of growth,” emphasises Piet Van Pollaert.
Whereas waste streams and by-products used to be disposed of or, at best, converted into energy, the food industry is now focusing on high-value utilisation
Willem ter Heerdt, Head of Food & Agri at ING Business Banking, sees Quatra as a role model for sustainability in the agri-food sector: “Whereas waste streams and by-products used to be disposed of or, at best, converted into energy, the food industry is now focusing on high-value utilisation. Take, for example, the whey produced during cheese-making. In the past, it was mainly processed into animal feed. Today, high-quality proteins are extracted from it for healthy drinks. Technological and product innovation are thus leading to new sources of income. That is also what Quatra demonstrates.”
"}},{"componentType":"sectionTitle","title":"The whole sector needs to get on board"},{"componentType":"paragraph","richBody":{"value":"The food industry is the largest manufacturing sector in our country, accounting for an annual turnover of around 85 billion euros, more than 103,000 employees and a further 150,000 indirect jobs. It is also important for the balance of trade: around half of its output is exported. However, the challenges – particularly in relation to sustainability – are increasing, driven by regulators and consumers.
But sustainability is a much broader concept; societal expectations are also carrying increasing weight
For many companies, the sustainability transition does not begin with spectacular innovations, but with relatively simple measures. “Optimising existing processes remains the quickest way to reduce costs and produce more sustainably,” says Ter Heerdt. “This translates, amongst other things, into measures that reduce energy consumption, limit water consumption and make more efficient use of raw materials.”
But sustainability is a much broader concept; societal expectations are also carrying increasing weight. Willem ter Heerdt: “Farmers are paying more attention to animal welfare and ecology. Among food companies, the focus is shifting to the entire value chain. Issues such as farmers’ remuneration, child labour in the sourcing of imported raw materials, and healthier products are increasingly becoming part of corporate strategy.”
"}},{"componentType":"highlight","richBody":{"value":"ING, too, is making a conscious effort to focus on Food & Agri as an integrated supply chain. “Food and agriculture are inextricably linked. You can’t make bread without grain, and you can’t make chips without potatoes. With a team of 35 bankers dedicated exclusively to clients within the ecosystem, we have a broad perspective on the trends. Sharing knowledge and networking are central to our approach and take place through sector studies, events and one-to-one discussions with clients. This is how we help businesses move forward more quickly.”
This means that the bank goes beyond simply offering financing solutions. It contributes ideas to innovative projects, helps establish contacts and identifies grant opportunities. “In doing so, we also challenge our internal credit committees. As sector experts, we look not only at the economic viability of a project, but also at its sustainable added value. After all, in times of geopolitical volatility, local agriculture and food are particularly important for our strategic autonomy,” concludes Willem ter Heerdt.
"},"title":"ING shares knowledge and facilitates contacts"},{"componentType":"paragraph","richBody":{"value":"Find out how ING supports businesses in the sustainable transition.
This article was previously published in Trends/Tendances.
"},"title":"Wondering what ING can do for you?"}]},"hasMacro":false,"id":"74275939-3f3b-4799-92d8-6fd79815ffdf","legalZone":{"flexComponents":[{"componentType":"paragraph","richBody":{"value":"Society is transitioning to a low-carbon economy. So are our clients, and so is ING. We finance a lot of sustainable activities, but we still finance more that’s not. See how we’re progressing on ing.com/climate.
This article is for informative purposes only and the information set out herein may change with time. We therefore recommend that you always reference specific regulations and requirements with the competent authorities for the latest information. Additionally, we advise that you seek professional advice on a case-by-case basis before making any decisions. Please note that ING Belgium SA/NV cannot be held liable for any decision taken on the basis of the information provided.
"}}]},"localeString":"en-GB","mainHeaderZone":{"backLink":{"textLink":{"text":"Sustainability is everyone's business","url":"/en/business/sustainable-business"}},"componentType":"editorialHeader","coreHeader":{"body":"The environment in which the Belgian food industry operates is becoming increasingly complex: after all, energy, raw materials, technology, health and sustainability are becoming ever more closely intertwined. But companies such as Quatra, based in Lokeren, which capitalise on the opportunities offered by sustainability, have a lever for growth at their disposal.","title":"From waste stream to growth driver: innovation in agrifood"},"date":"2026-08-03","readingTime":0},"publishDate":"2026-08-14T17:17:08.065+02:00"}}