Franz-Josef Straub, Big Dutchman

Franz-Josef studied mechanical engineering at Dresden university of applied science where he specialised in turbine technology, power plants and cryogenics. Following which he started working for Big Dutchman PowerSystems working to develop a chicken manure gasifier, turning manure into a syngas and converting it via an internal combustion engine into electricity and heat. He then went on to designing waste treatment systems which included dryers, pelletizers, composting machinery and manure incineration plants. Since January 2021 Franz-Josef has been the product manager for waste treatment and air scrubbing for Big Dutchman. He is driven by the desire to close the cycle of livestock farming and by products, which are often seen as waste, to something of ecological worth.