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Composting: From Waste to New Value

In the food industry, large quantities of products that are no longer safe for consumption are generated every day, and managing this waste remains one of the major environmental challenges. With the support of the European Union and the Innovation Fund, the company Composting from Smederevo has developed a technology that transforms this challenge into new value, enabling the rapid and controlled processing of biodegradable waste into high-quality compost.

A wide range of organic materials originating from bakeries, dairies, breweries, and major retail chains is processed daily in their facility. Products no longer suitable for human consumption undergo a controlled procedure and are converted into stable compost that re-enters agricultural production.

The solution that Composting uses today was developed in cooperation with experts from the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Niš. Together, they designed a procedure that significantly accelerates the natural breakdown of organic matter. A process that once took months is now completed in only a few hours, around six for municipal waste and between ten and twelve hours for food industry waste.

“Our goal was not only to develop a composter, but to create a system with a broader social impact. We want this technology to be available to public utility companies, because we believe Serbia can manage its waste far more efficiently,” says Predrag Umičević, founder of Composting.

This technological advancement brings more than time savings. Its true value lies in reducing the amount of waste that would otherwise end up in landfills, while offering local communities a practical model for more responsible resource management. The innovative approach developed in Smederevo demonstrates how collaborative work between experts and industry can improve environmental protection.

The support of the European Union and the Innovation Fund enabled this technology to progress from an idea to a functional prototype and move closer to commercial application. Within the project, the team successfully tested the system in real conditions, improved process efficiency, and laid the groundwork for scaling up production.

“The support of the Fund allowed us to turn our vision into a device ready for use. Even the design of the composter carries our message: material once considered waste can be returned to the cycle and regain value,” Umičević concludes.

What sets Composting apart is not only technological innovation but also a clear strategy for developing sustainable waste-management models. The team is already preparing the next phase, producing a series of composters intended for public utility companies and large systems that generate significant amounts of organic waste every day. Their solution could become an important tool in addressing overloaded landfills and handling food that is no longer usable.

The increasing pressure on natural resources and the growing needs of the global population demand approaches that protect the environment while supporting sustainable development. This is precisely the direction of Composting’s vision: technology that serves the community, reduces ecological waste, and transforms what was once a burden into new value. Their innovation shows that the combination of science and responsible business can be a driver of a “greener” future.