The Netherlands and Brazil want to collaborate more closely on green hydrogen, bio-based raw materials, and a cleaner industry. Together with the Ministry of Climate Policy and Green Growth, TNO is investigating where the greatest opportunities lie. The goal is not only to exchange knowledge but, above all, to set up concrete projects between companies from both countries. The pressure…
The Cabinet is working on an electricity capacity market to ensure sufficient capacity remains available at times when solar and wind power supply little electricity. Fully coal-fired power plants cannot participate in this, writes Minister S. van Veldhoven-van der Meer of Climate and Green Growth in response to parliamentary questions from CDA MP Henk Jumelet. Other forms of controllable…
For years, the Netherlands held a firm place on the European energy map as a natural gas country. Following the end of gas extraction in Groningen, attention is shifting to a new role for the existing gas system. No longer exclusively as a carrier of fossil gas, but increasingly as infrastructure for green gas from manure, waste, and organic residues. The ambition…
The Green Elephant Alliance was launched during the European Biomass Conference & Exhibition. In this new collaboration, organizations are joining forces that aim to reduce the use of fossil raw materials. They focus on bio-based raw materials for fuels, chemicals, and materials. At the presentation, Peter Berben of ChemistryNL handed over an investment brochure to Rogier van Tooren on behalf of the alliance…
The European Commission wants to make farmers less dependent on expensive and imported fertilizers. In the new Fertiliser Action Plan, presented on 19 May 2026, Brussels links short-term support for farmers to a broader change of course. Bio-based fertilizers, digestate from fermentation, and recovered nutrients from residual streams are to play a greater role. High prices are affecting farmers…
Japanese researchers have modified blue-green algae that produce and excrete fatty acids through photosynthesis. These fatty acids can serve as a feedstock for biofuels, including sustainable aviation fuel and diesel alternatives. In science, blue-green algae are called cyanobacteria. They are not true algae, but photosynthetic bacteria. The study was published in Biotechnology for Biofuels and Bioproducts. Harvesting makes algae fuels expensive. Blue-green algae are already considered…
European rules for sustainable aviation fuel may steer producers toward routes that are more expensive and require more energy than necessary. This is the conclusion of researchers from the Swedish Chalmers University of Technology in a new study on fuels derived from solid biomass residues, including residues from forestry. According to them, current regulations do not align well with the most efficient…
Paper has been considered an attractive alternative to plastic packaging for years. However, the switch is difficult in practice, especially for food. Paper must protect products against moisture, grease, and oxygen, seal well, and run smoothly through existing packaging lines. New packaging concepts with bio-based coatings are intended to help with this. UPM Specialty Materials, Michelman, and BOBST present two…
The European bioenergy sector wants Brussels to anchor biomass, biogas, biomethane, and biofuels more firmly in new energy policy. Trade association Bioenergy Europe believes that these forms of renewable energy are too often viewed as standalone climate measures. Whereas, according to the sector, they can actually help to make better use of European raw materials and make the energy supply less vulnerable. That…
Camelina, an oilseed crop from the cruciferous family, is set to play a larger role as a feedstock for biofuels. The crop has long been under investigation for the production of biodiesel, renewable diesel (a diesel substitute based on vegetable oils and fats), and sustainable aviation fuel, internationally referred to as SAF. Why camelina is interesting for biofuels Camelina has a relatively low…
For the first time, there are official European rules for certifying techniques that remove CO2 from the atmosphere and permanently sequester it. The associated certification system entered into force this month, including for biochar. Participation is voluntary, but those who participate will face clear quality requirements. This is important news for the biomass sector: biochar…
The Circular Bio-based Europe Joint Undertaking (CBE JU) has published a new call for grants for projects in the biobased industry. Applications can be submitted until 22 September 2026, 17:00. The Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO) is organizing an online information session on Wednesday 27 May 2026 regarding this call and related topics within the CIRCBIO destination…
Green gas must become a strategic pillar of a robust and affordable energy system. This is stated by Platform Groen Gas in a publication dated April 30. According to the trade association, the Dutch energy supply is under pressure due to geopolitical tensions, grid congestion, and the phasing out of Groningen gas extraction. In this context, green gas can contribute to more stable prices and…
Companies wishing to test or demonstrate innovations in the field of biobased polyesters can apply for a subsidy through the RVO DEI+ Biobased Circular scheme until July 30, 2026. The total budget amounts to 22 million euros, funded by the National Growth Fund Programme BioBased Circular. On April 23, RVO announced that despite a large number of…
