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.
When you think of Eurobottle, you might initially picture a simple water bottle or sports bottle. But behind that seemingly ordinary product lies a story filled with passion, innovation, and a healthy dose of idealism. A story told not only through company philosophies and figures, but especially through the people who work there: people like Peter Westveer and Femke Broekhuijsen of Eurobottle.
From sports bottle to sustainable pioneer
Eurobottle has been around for over 30 years and started with something simple: printing sports bottles. Companies and sports clubs used these bottles as promotional gifts. Back then, sustainability wasn't a concern; it was primarily about functionality and visibility.
But the world changed. Disposable plastic packaging increasingly received negative press, and demand for reusable and more sustainable alternatives grew. At Eurobottle, the decision to look further afield was quickly made. can it be better, more sustainable and more future-proof?
This led to a search for suitable bioplastics. After several failed tests with fragile materials, the breakthrough came with Green Polyethylene: a biobased plastic made from sugarcane, which is fully recyclable and has properties equivalent to fossil-based plastic. With this, Eurobottle took a major step.
Bio-based materials as standard
One of the most important decisions was to no longer offer biobased as an option, but as the only standard. "When you give customers the choice, they often choose the cheapest option," explains Femke. "But we want to make our story sound. If you say you want to be sustainable, you have to be willing to make that choice."
That meant taking a risk: biobased materials are still more expensive than fossil fuels. Yet, the move proved successful. Customers accepted the change, especially once they understood that the price difference outweighed the impact on the environment and image. Eurobottle thus proves that sustainability doesn't always have to come at the expense of growth, but can actually contribute to a stronger narrative.
This choice has also changed Femke personally. She laughs: “Three years ago, I was completely new to bio-based materials. Now, with every purchase, I think: where does it come from, what happens to it after use? It also affects my life outside of work. Suddenly, I'm much more critical about clothing and other products: how long will they last, what is their impact?”
Long-term use as a core value
At Eurobottle, everything revolves around durable products. "We recently received an email from a customer. Her grandson was still using a water bottle from 2003. That shows how important reuse is," says Peter. "It's all about products being functional, durable, and ultimately recyclable."
Peter adds: "It's an ongoing process. There's no perfect solution. Everything we do is a step forward. Tomorrow, things could be different again. That sometimes makes discussions about sustainability complicated, but also interesting."
Femke adds: “Our dream is to one day be completely fossil-free and perhaps even circular. This means we consider not only the raw material, but also what happens after the product is used. Ideally, we leave no damage behind, neither during production nor after use.”
PHA: the future of compostable products
Eurobottle is also working on a new generation of materials, such as PHA (polyhydroxyalkanoate). "PHA is produced by microorganisms and can be completely broken down after use," explains Peter. "We tested it in home compost, and after ten weeks, almost nothing remained. The great thing is that it's completely bio-based and doesn't leave behind any microplastics."
Femke emphasizes the practical advantage: "PHA can even be used for coral restoration in the sea. It remains intact as long as necessary, for example, until the coral grows again. After that, it breaks down completely. This way, functionality and sustainability are perfectly aligned."
Sustainability in practice: from production to packaging
Eurobottle considers not only the material of the water bottle itself, but the entire production process. Peter explains: “We use green energy, optimize machines, and minimize material waste. Even the printing on the water bottles is done sustainably. In Hasselt, we collaborate with a sheltered workshop that uses food-safe ink. It's complex, but this way we guarantee the integrity of our approach from raw material to finished product.”
The employees actively embody this philosophy. Peter: “People in production are involved in new materials, testing, and innovations. They understand why we make certain choices. That enthusiasm is reflected in the product and in the collaboration.”
Education and social involvement
Eurobottle goes beyond just running a business. They support projects like UNICEF Business Buddies, which collects plastic waste and converts it into building blocks for classrooms in developing countries. "In this way, our products connect to a larger social issue," says Peter. "It's not just about sustainability, but also about making an impact on people's lives."
Femke emphasizes that this is also inspiring internally: "When applying for jobs, we notice that people are really drawn to our story. It motivates employees to stay passionate about their work because they see that their choices have meaning."
Awareness and consumer behavior
Besides business processes, consumer behavior plays a major role. Peter: “Many people don't know how to recycle, and the media and greenwashing don't make it any easier. But it's our job to make it clear and as simple as possible for consumers.”
He gives an example: "In the Netherlands, waste flows are relatively well separated, but that's not the case in other countries. Bio-based and compostable materials really help there. It shows that we can make an impact at various levels: production, consumer, and waste processing."
Passion as a driving force
What truly makes Eurobottle unique is the human factor. It's not just about products or profit, but about passion and commitment. Femke: "The best part is seeing how enthusiastic people get about a test or a new material. They understand that their work makes a difference. That's partly the reason I work here." Peter adds: "It's about conscious choices, learning, and improving. Everyone at Eurobottle embodies that. That makes the story tangible, not just for us, but also for customers and society."
