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.
In a candid conversation with Timo van Roosmalen and Wim de Laat of BioscienZ, it became clear how deeply rooted their passion is for biotechnology and sustainable innovation. BioscienZ, founded by Wim de Laat, is a company that specializes in developing processes that convert biomass into valuable applications such as food ingredients and industrial materials. This makes the company an important example of how people with passion work towards a more sustainable future.
Wim de Laat has a background in microbiology and has worked on fermentation processes for many years at renowned companies. He eventually decided to go his own way to realize his vision of a more sustainable world. “I am a farmer’s son and studied in Wageningen. The combination of my background and the knowledge I gained there has brought me to where I am today,” says Wim. The founding of BioscienZ arose from the desire to develop technologies that enable the transition from fossil fuels to bio-based raw materials. He explains that the use of biomass is not only a necessity for the future, but also a personal mission: “I like my job so much, I will just keep doing it endlessly.”
BioscienZ’s projects focus on using local raw materials and supporting circular economies. This ranges from converting sugar beet pulp into valuable materials to developing vegetable proteins. Wim describes it as follows: “We convert raw materials locally, such as sugar beet pulp, and make valuable products from them. The idea is that these types of processes can be applied anywhere in the world.” With this, they want to show that sustainable innovations are not only economically feasible, but also scalable. This local use of biomass emphasises the idea of ‘local for local’, which is a core principle within their business operations.
The BioscienZ team consists of people who are driven by the will to innovate. Timo van Roosmalen plays a crucial role in this. Timo joined the company four years ago, just after Wim founded The Protein Brewery. He has made an important contribution to the growth and development of BioscienZ and now takes a leading role in several projects. “The best thing about working here is that you develop something and actually see it running in practice. You don’t just work on ideas, but on solutions that make an impact,” says Timo. His enthusiasm reflects the character of the team, which consists of young, ambitious people who love to pioneer.
BioscienZ works closely with startups, which Timo and Wim believe is essential for the development of new ideas. “Almost 80% of our clients are startups from Europe and sometimes even from the US. Working with these young companies brings fresh ideas and challenges that motivate us to continue to innovate,” says Wim. This collaboration ensures a constant flow of new projects and insights, which keeps the company a pioneer in the biotech sector.
Regulations pose a challenge, however. According to Wim and Timo, the growth of innovative projects is often hampered by strict regulations and a conservative investment climate in Europe. “It is frustrating that many startups are forced to go to the US or Singapore to realize their projects. We would like to start in our home market, but bureaucracy often makes that impossible,” says Timo. This problem not only limits startups, but also has an impact on companies like BioscienZ that are trying to break through with new technologies.
Despite these challenges, the BioscienZ team remains focused on their mission. Wim shares an example of their work with manure projects. The idea was to ferment manure using fungi and turn it into protein-rich animal feed. “The idea is circular and economically feasible. It would even be cheaper than importing protein from Brazil, but the regulations don’t allow it. There are strict laws that prohibit this kind of process, even though we can prove it is safe,” Wim explains. This shows the team’s determination to keep going, even when regulations hold them back. Timo adds: “If you have passion and you are convinced of your project, you will find a way. We don’t stop, even if it takes years to realize change.”
Another important pillar within BioscienZ is the use of residual flows to make products that would otherwise be lost. This type of innovation fits in with the company’s broader philosophy: sustainability must go hand in hand with economic feasibility. “We need to look at how we will earn our money in the future and at the same time keep the planet liveable,” says Wim. He emphasizes that projects must contribute to society and have economic value to be successful. “If there is no economic model and you have to run on subsidies alone, it simply won’t happen. It has to be able to support itself.”
The team’s vision is driven by their belief that biotechnology can provide solutions to some of the biggest challenges of our time. This is evident in their work on ‘The Protein Brewery’, a spin-off of BioscienZ that produces plant-based proteins that can reduce the pressure on agriculture. Timo explains how they want to export their technologies to areas where local raw materials such as cassava and sugar cane are available. The idea is to provide local solutions around the world that contribute to a circular economy. He emphasises that the work is not always easy: “You will definitely face challenges, but that is part of it. It is a matter of keeping trying and believing in what you are doing.”
The conversation with Timo and Wim shows that their work goes beyond just developing biotechnological processes. It is about creating a better future by using biomass in a way that is both sustainable and economically viable. The stories of these two pioneers make it clear that behind every product and innovation there is a team that works passionately to make a difference. This inspires not only others in the sector, but also society as a whole to see what is possible with bio-based resources and how important it is to keep innovating for a more sustainable world.
