Torwash BV: Innovative solutions for biomass processing and circular economy
In the Netherlands, many people work passionately with biomass as a raw material. They work on innovations, improve (production) processes or create policy for a fossil-free future. In this mini-series we highlight what drives them to work on the transition to a sustainable world.
For our campaign this time we spoke with Levien de Legé of Torwash BV, a company that focuses on innovative technologies for processing biomass and waste streams. Levien's drive and vision for a sustainable future are clearly felt in the conversation.
Levien de Legé: Personal and passionate about biomass
Levien emphasizes the importance of understanding that biomass is much broader than just wood. “It really frustrates me,” he says emphatically, “that biomass is almost always associated with wood. It really irritates me. Biomass encompasses so much more – from roadside grass to sludge and other waste streams. People often have the wrong idea, while no one can object to the idea that we are converting waste streams into clean energy.” For Levien, it is important to dispel this misunderstanding. He sees biomass not only as a sustainable energy source, but also as a smart solution.
“The best thing about what we do at Torwash is that we convert waste streams into something of value,” Levien continues enthusiastically. “Take sludge, for example, which many see as worthless waste. We can convert it into a high-quality, clean fuel. These kinds of innovations are essential for a fossil-free future, and that’s what motivates me. It’s not just saving energy, it’s also reducing waste. That gives me energy.”
The origin of Torwash BV
Torwash BV started with technology developed by ECN (Energy Research Centre Netherlands) in Petten. Research into alternatives to traditional wood pellets had been conducted here since 2006. The focus was on converting roadside grass into high-quality fuel pellets, a response to concerns about the use of wood as fuel.
Levien shares that the company focuses on upgrading low-value biomass types that are unsuitable for combustion, such as roadside grass and sludge. They do this by combining the processes of torrefaction and washing in an innovative way. “The result is a clean, sustainable fuel that is less harmful to the environment. We really wanted to make a difference by working with waste that would otherwise be thrown away as a residual product.”
Applications of Torwash technology
The strength of the Torwash technology lies in its ability to convert polluted biomass into clean fuel. This is particularly valuable for biomass with high concentrations of unwanted substances, such as potassium and chlorine. Levien explains that their technology was originally developed for roadside grass, but they are now focusing on other waste streams, such as sludge from water treatment plants. “Sludge has a high water content, which makes it difficult to do anything useful with. With Torwash we can tackle this problem and convert it into a dry, combustible substance. It not only gives us a fuel, but also solves a waste problem.”
Challenges and success stories
The path to success was not always easy, Levien admits. A project in Malaysia, where Torwash wanted to process residual flows from the palm oil industry, was stalled by political changes. Still, the team remained motivated to improve their technology and implement it successfully in the Netherlands.
A breakthrough came with a pilot project in collaboration with Waterschap Zuiderzeeland. Levien looks back on this with pride: “This was a turning point for us. The success of this pilot proved that our technology was viable, even for a challenging product like sludge.”
The Future of Torwash and the Role of Biomass
Levien continues to emphasize the importance of biomass for a sustainable future. While biomass is sometimes portrayed in a negative light in the media, especially due to the discussion surrounding deforestation, he sees the potential of biomass from waste streams. “I see biomass as a fundamental link in our sustainable energy mix, alongside solar and wind energy. If we focus on smart solutions for waste streams, we can save CO2 and reduce waste. That’s killing two birds with one stone.”
The future of Torwash is focused on further scaling up. Levien enthusiastically explains that there are plans for large-scale installations at water treatment plants. “This can have a huge impact on the circular economy. We can reduce transport costs and energy consumption by processing sludge directly on site. That is not only efficient, but also good for the environment.”
Innovation and sustainability hand in hand
Torwash BV shows how innovation and sustainability can reinforce each other. By converting low-grade waste streams into high-grade fuels, Levien and his team contribute to a circular economy and a sustainable future. Levien's story underlines that biomass is much more – it is an opportunity to use our natural resources responsibly. With companies like Torwash leading the way, the future of biomass looks bright, without cutting down a single tree. At Biomassafeiten.nl we continue to follow these developments closely and are happy to share the stories of people like Levien, who are passionately and dedicatedly working towards a sustainable world.
