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 on behalf of the alliance to Rogier van Tooren of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Joint agenda for biobased applications
The Green Elephant Alliance aims to increase attention for biobased solutions. This is done towards politicians and the government, but also within the broader societal debate. The affiliated parties want to pool knowledge and networks so that opportunities, bottlenecks, and new applications are placed more prominently on the agenda.
This choice for collaboration is no coincidence. Bio-based raw materials impact multiple sectors simultaneously. They can play a role in industry, agriculture, and the production of materials and fuels. The central government cites bio-based raw materials as, among other things, an alternative to fossil raw materials in the production of building materials, plastics, and fuels.
Residual streams as a basis for new products
In the investment brochure, the alliance highlights projects in which residual streams from agriculture and waste are utilized for sustainable chemicals, materials, and fuels. This places the emphasis not only on replacing fossil sources but also on making smarter use of raw materials that are already available.
This is an important point for the industry. In many production processes, carbon remains necessary as a building block. Bio-based raw materials can offer an alternative to oil, gas, and other fossil sources in this regard. Dutch policy aims for the highest possible value use of sustainable bio-based raw materials, for example in the chemical industry and in applications where few other alternatives are available.
The Netherlands sees opportunities in agriculture, chemicals, and logistics.
According to The Green Elephant Alliance, the Netherlands has a strong starting position. The alliance points to the combination of an innovative agricultural sector, a high-quality chemical industry, and a strong logistical infrastructure. It is precisely this mix that can help further develop new biobased supply chains.
The brochure therefore links bio-based raw materials not only to climate policy, but also to industrial policy and the future of the agri-food sector. According to the alliance, strategic investments must contribute to an economy in which renewable raw materials play a greater role.
Seven parties form the first coalition
The Green Elephant Alliance consists of VNCI, ChemistryNL, Groene Chemie Nieuwe Economie, BioBased Circular, Platform Bio Economie, Platform Hernieuwbare Brandstoffen, and Energy Innovation NL. Together, they represent various parts of the biobased field, from chemistry and fuels to innovation and supply chain development.
The alliance invites other organizations to join. With the investment brochure, there is now a first joint document with which the coalition reinforces its message to politics, government, and the market.
Source and photo: greenelephantalliance.nl
