The SDG Challenge Framework
At Hendrix Genetics, some of the most valuable ideas come from collaboration. A recent project at our Boxmeer hatchery in the Netherlands brought together university students and hatchery experts to explore how energy that is currently lost could be recovered and reused.
The initiative was part of the SDG Challenge, a program that connects students with organizations to develop practical solutions to sustainability challenges linked to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
Working closely with the Boxmeer hatchery team and sustainability specialists, a group of five students developed an innovative proposal to improve energy efficiency and circularity within hatchery operations. Their work was recognized during the program's "Impact in Action" event in Utrecht, where the team received the award for Best Pitch.
Tackling Energy Efficiency in Hatcheries
Hatcheries require significant amounts of energy to maintain the precise environmental conditions needed throughout the incubation process.
At the Boxmeer hatchery, the challenge focused on reducing energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions while maintaining continuous operations and the strict biosecurity standards essential to animal health.
The students were asked to explore how existing resources could be used more efficiently and identify solutions that would be practical in a real-world hatchery environment.
Turning Waste Heat Into a Valuable Resource
The team focused on a major opportunity: the recovery of heat generated by incubators, machinery, and production processes.
Currently, a considerable amount of this heat leaves the facility through ventilation systems. Rather than allowing this energy to go to waste, the students proposed a heat recovery solution based on a run-around coil system.
This technology transfers heat from outgoing air to incoming fresh air without any direct contact between the two air streams, ensuring that biosecurity requirements remain fully protected.
By recovering and reusing thermal energy that would otherwise be lost, the hatchery could reduce gas consumption, lower carbon emissions, and improve overall energy efficiency.
Innovation Through Partnership
Beyond the technical solution, the project highlights the value of collaboration between industry and education.
By combining fresh perspectives from students with the expertise of hatchery professionals, the initiative generated practical ideas that could contribute to more sustainable hatchery operations in the future.
It also demonstrates how innovation often starts with a shared willingness to tackle challenges together and explore new possibilities.
Building a More Circular Future
Recovering and reusing existing resources is an important part of creating more sustainable operations. The proposed heat recovery system shows how circular thinking can help reduce energy waste while supporting operational performance.
For the Boxmeer hatchery, the project provided a promising example of how collaboration, creativity, and engineering can contribute to a more energy-efficient future.
Naomi Duijvesteijn - Global Sustainability Director
Carolien Vermeij - Sustainability Analyst