The latest food and beverage industry news and trend analysis

Circular economy specialist Divert, Inc. has announced the closure of a new funding round led by Wittington Investments, Limited. The capital injection is earmarked to accelerate the company’s operational expansion across North America, addressing the critical issue of food waste through scalable infrastructure solutions.

The investment serves as a validation of Divert’s industrial model, which aims to help major retailers and manufacturers comply with organic waste mandates while recovering value from unsold inventory.

Infrastructure Rollout: Washington and North Carolina

The funding will directly fuel the buildout of Divert’s Integrated Diversion & Energy Facilities. The company has confirmed that new sites in Longview, Washington, and Lexington, North Carolina, are expected to commence operations later this year.

These facilities join the company’s existing operational footprint, which includes a site in Turlock, California. The Turlock facility is currently capable of processing 100,000 tons of unsold, non-donatable food products annually, serving as a blueprint for the expansion.

Technology and Process

Divert utilises anaerobic digestion technology to process food and liquid waste that cannot be donated. The process transforms this organic matter into carbon-negative renewable energy, soil amendments, and nitrogen-rich fertilisers.

The model is positioned not just as a waste management service, but as a circular economy engine. By leveraging data, Divert helps retailers uncover cost benefits through better purchasing and merchandising decisions, while mitigating the environmental impact of the 74 million tons of surplus food generated annually in the US.

Board Appointments and Governance

Coinciding with the funding, Divert's parent company, Ara Divert HoldCo, has expanded its board of directors to bolster expertise in energy transition and international markets.

New Board Members:

• Zvi Orvitz: Managing Director, Sustainability and Energy Transition at Wittington Investments, Limited.

• Ali Naqvi: Chief Investment Officer at Ontario Power Generation.

Ryan Begin, CEO and co-founder of Divert, commented on the strategic backing: “This investment is a strong endorsement of what our team has built over 19 years as we continue to scale our infrastructure to solve the wasted food crisis. This funding underscores confidence in our industry leadership, proven ability to turn vision into infrastructure at scale, and the measurable impact of our solutions.”

Zvi Orvitz added: “Divert’s growth underscores both the urgency of the escalating food waste issue and the team’s ambitions to drive real impact. We look forward to supporting Divert as they scale operations and expand the delivery of innovative food waste solutions across the U.S. and beyond.”