As a small country, the Netherlands is dependent on the import of scarce (bio) raw materials, but is also looking for systems that allow us to use bio raw materials as efficiently as possible. In national policy, this means that we want to use bio raw materials as high-quality as possible. Namely in the industry for the replacement of fossil raw materials, in materials and chemicals and as (bio)fuels where we want to phase out their combustion[1]. This phasing out will have to be done carefully so that sectors that cannot be supplied with sun, wind or hydrogen can still receive energy. Bioenergy can still play an important role there. This transition will also have to be anchored internationally.
Both the IEA, in the net-zero scenario, and IRENA, in the World Energy Transition Outlook (2023)[2], show what role different technologies worldwide will have to play to reach net-zero by 2050. These scenarios show that bioenergy must contribute between 15 and 20% of the total if we want to achieve this goal. The replacement of fossil as a raw material is also important for the industry, as indicated by the NOVA institute, which in its exploratory scenario for the chemical industry shows a possible reduction from 90% fossil Embedded Carbon to 0% in 2050[3].
Although bio-raw materials are anchored in policy scenarios, their development and rollout still requires the necessary (inter)national efforts. Both within the IEA (via the IEA Bio-energy TCP[4]) as IRENA, this has the attention. In addition, after the Paris agreement in 2015, a number of countries also agreed to accelerate the energy transition through the CEM: Clean Energy Ministerial and MI: Mission Innovation. Below the CEM is the Biofuture Initiative/Campaign[5] working to help the industry remove uncertainties surrounding the availability of sustainable biomass, carbon accounting and public acceptance. Under MI is the Integrated Biorefineries Mission[6] active, where the Netherlands is working together with 6 countries (Canada, UK, Brazil, India and the European Commission) on accelerated development of biofuels (including SAF) and biobased chemicals. This acceleration is achieved by creating collaboration through missions, webinars and joint projects.
This is a complex transition that requires careful action throughout the chain. Sustainable biomass production requires attention to local conditions (soil, water, climate, socio-economic). Within this, many residual flows or new or improved crops can be found worldwide that can be used in higher quality.
On the output side it is complex because there are opportunities for both high-quality biobased commodities for chemicals and transport, but also for fine chemicals that can be extracted directly from bio raw materials. Through the Integrated Biorefineries Mission, this optimal value is sought together with the international industry. In Canada it is about expanding the output for the pulp & paper industry, Brazil and India have many residual flows and also a lot of experience with sugar cane, which can be built on. The Indian company Godavari recently opened a biochemical plant[7] which produces the basic raw materials for Dutch (European) paint manufacturers. Within Europe, CBE-JU is actively working on further development. This development is expensive, especially for realizing pilots and demos, so that this must be done jointly as much as possible, one of the action points within the Integrated Biorefineries Mission. There are also market opportunities for the industry through existing technologies and new developments. Unused organic waste is left to rot in landfills or fields and leads to methane emissions that strongly contribute to climate change. Financially feasible projects can be realized with financial support through, for example, a Carbon Credits program for capturing landfill gas and converting it into energy. This also applies to many other waste processing projects. The demand for sustainable transport is also growing worldwide through obligations or through international agreements such as aviation (SAF). Regulatory support for biobased chemicals is currently being developed. There appears to be a growing demand for and production of, for example, biobased plastics in all countries affiliated with the Integrated BIorefineries Mission[8]. Internationally, there are both market opportunities and opportunities for collaboration.
[1] NPE National Energy Supply Program, file (overheid.nl)
[2] World Energy Transitions Outlook 2023 (irena.org)
[3] Explorative scenario for a global net-zero chemical industry in 2050, Update October 2023 – Renewable Carbon News (renewable-carbon.eu)
[4] Bioenergy – International Collaboration in Bioenergy (ieabioenergy.com)
[5] BioFuturePlatform – Accelerate the transition to a global bioeconomy
[6] Integrated Biorefineries – Mission Innovation (mission-innovation.net)
[7] Inauguration of Specialty Chemicals Plant at Sakarwadi by Padma Vibhushan Prof. MM Sharma and Hon'ble Mr. Bart De Jong, Consul General of the Netherlands in Mumbai | Godavari (godavaribiorefineries.com)
[8] Integrated Biorefineries Mission: overview | LinkedIn
About the author
Kees Kwant
Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO)
Kees Kwant is a Senior Expert on Bioenergy and Circular Biobased Economy at the Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO), a department of the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate in the Netherlands. He primarily links researchers and industry to help develop the circular biobased economy and bioenergy in the Netherlands and abroad. He is Member CEM Biofuture Initiative and leads the Mission Innovation Mission Integrated Biorefineries as Mission Director.
