New SBP calculation tool aims to make emissions from biomass chains more comparable.

Biomass

Sustainable Biomass Program links greenhouse gas calculation to existing chain data The Sustainable Biomass Program (SBP) has launched a calculation tool that enables companies with an SBP certificate to calculate and report their greenhouse gas emissions in the biomass chain. The GHG Calculator retrieves its data from the Data Transfer System, the system in which SBP shares information about certified biomass throughout the chain…

Sector sees a role for biobased materials in European defense

Bio raw materials, Sustainability, Reports

Biobased materials are primarily discussed in Europe in the context of climate and circularity. The Bio-based Industries Consortium (BIC) places a different emphasis in a new report. The trade association points out the value of these materials for defense, aerospace, and security, and thereby for Europe's strategic independence. Materials from biomass can reduce dependence…

Plant-based synthetic resin PEF tested for mattresses and furniture

Biochemistry, Bio raw materials

The plant-based synthetic material PEF is being investigated for use in bedding, pillows, mattresses, and furniture upholstery. Chemical company Avantium from Amsterdam is doing this together with Heynen Systems from Lelystad, a specialist in technical textiles. Until now, the material, which is being marketed under the brand name releaf, was primarily mentioned as an alternative to PET in bottles and…

Biomass is shifting from fuel to raw material for green chemistry

Biochemistry, Bio raw materials, Biomass

The chemical industry cannot do without carbon. It is found in virtually everything the sector produces: plastics and coatings, adhesives and solvents, fibers, cleaning products, and medicines. Currently, that carbon comes largely from oil, gas, and coal. Therefore, anyone wishing to make the chemical industry more sustainable cannot limit themselves to energy. The sector also has other…

The Netherlands and Brazil explore new routes for green raw materials.

Bio raw materials, Biomass

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…

Coal-fired power plants excluded from capacity market, biomass remains an option

Biomass, Energy, Government

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…

From gas country to green gas hub

Biomass, Energy

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…

Green Elephant Alliance joins forces for bio-based raw materials

Biochemistry, Bio raw materials, Biomass

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…

Brussels wants to accelerate the market for biobased fertilizers

Bio raw materials, Biomass

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…

Blue-green algae secrete raw materials for biofuel

Biomass, Science

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…

EU rules could disadvantage efficient aviation fuel from biomass.

Biomass

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…

Biobased coatings must take paper packaging further

Biochemistry, Bio raw materials

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…

Bioenergy sector wants a permanent place in European energy policy

Bio raw materials, Biomass, Energy

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 is being scaled up as an intermediate crop for biodiesel, renewable diesel, and SAF.

Biomass

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…

New EU framework for permanent carbon removal enters into force

Biomass, Sustainability

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…

European subsidy round for biobased industry opened, RVO explains schemes

Biochemistry, Bio raw materials, Biomass

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 indispensable for Dutch energy security

Biomass, Energy, Energy transition

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…

Bioplastics are growing, but how much agricultural land is needed for this?

Bio raw materials

Bioplastics can play a larger role in an economy that wants to become less dependent on oil and gas. This is stated by European Bioplastics in a new publication on sustainable biomass for bioplastics. The trade association views biobased plastics as an important building block for the European bio-economy. At the same time, the publication touches upon a sensitive point in the…

Seaweed replaces fossil superabsorbents

Biomass

Hygiene and health group Essity is participating in the European research project PROTEUS, which is working on bio-based superabsorbent materials derived from sustainably harvested brown algae. The company is investigating whether raw materials from the brown algae Laminaria hyperborea can be used in products such as baby diapers, menstrual products, and incontinence materials, as an alternative to current fossil-based plastics. From fossil superabsorbents to seaweed…

New study: how much green gas can Europe produce itself?

Biomass, Energy, Energy transition

On April 22, 2026, consultancy firm Guidehouse presented a new report on biogases in Europe to the European Parliament. The meeting was organized by the European Biogas Association (EBA), the European trade association for the biogas sector. The central question: how much renewable gas can Europe produce itself from residual streams and waste in the coming decades? Biogas is produced through the fermentation…

Biochar as a climate solution: carbon sequestration, cleaner soil, and cleaner water in one material

Biomass

An extensive scientific review study, published in the journal Biochar, concludes that biochar is one of the most versatile and promising materials in the fight against climate change. The material, made from biomass, can simultaneously sequester carbon, improve soil quality, increase agricultural productivity, and purify water. The study, compiled by an international team of researchers, synthesizes a…

Biomass as the basis for a cheap catalyst that can replace platinum in fuel cells

Biomass, Science

Researchers have developed a new catalyst made from biomass that offers a promising alternative to the scarce and expensive platinum currently used in fuel cells and metal-air batteries. The breakthrough, published in the scientific journal Biochar, shows how renewable raw materials can be converted into high-value materials for clean energy technologies. From wood biomass to…

CBE JU focuses on large-scale biorefineries in 2026 work program

Biomass, Energy, Energy transition

The Circular Bio-based Europe Joint Undertaking (CBE JU) has published its work programme for 2026. In total, over €170 million is available for projects within the European bioeconomy, distributed across thirteen thematic calls. Focus on large-scale biorefineries An important part of the programme is the focus on so-called flagship projects. These involve large-scale demonstration plants that…

European gas grids are ready for biomethane, but regulations are lagging behind.

Biomass, Energy, Energy transition

A group of sixty experts presented concrete measures at the second Grid Ready Forum in Brussels to accelerate the injection of biomethane into European gas grids. The infrastructure is already in place, but regulatory fragmentation and technical barriers are slowing down the rollout. Delays in the implementation of EU gas rules threaten to hinder the rollout, precisely at a moment…

Broad European coalition warns: do not scrap the bioeconomy from future research programs

Bio raw materials, Biomass

The Bio-based Industries Consortium (BIC), together with more than twenty European trade associations, has signed a joint letter to the European Parliament. The coalition calls on MEPs to explicitly retain agriculture and the bioeconomy in the next major European research and innovation programme, Horizon Europe 2028-2034. The reason for this is a draft report that on 13 March 2026…

BioUPGRADE shows how biomass can develop into functional materials

Biochemistry, Biomass, Projects, Science

The European Commission, through CORDIS, has released the results of BioUPGRADE, a now-completed research project into new applications of natural polymers from biomass. The project focused on the use of cellulose, hemicellulose, and chitin in, among other things, packaging materials, conductive inks, and hydrogels. BioUPGRADE ran from 2021 to the end of 2025 and was led by…

Sunflower husks as raw material for batteries

Biochemistry, Bio raw materials, Biomass

Agricultural waste streams usually end up in compost, animal feed, or energy production. Researchers at the University of the Basque Country have now described a different application. They produced anode material for sodium-ion batteries from sunflower husks, a waste stream that normally has little economic value. In trials with small button cell batteries, these cells continued to function for up to 1.000 charge and discharge cycles. The study fits into…

Our road transport can be fossil-free; the raw materials are already available.

Bio raw materials, Biomass, Energy transition, Science

New research from the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology shows that, under a favorable scenario, Europe has enough biomass residue streams to completely replace fossil fuels in road transport. The potential is also significant in the shorter term. As early as 2030, more than half of fuel demand could be met by renewable liquid fuels. The…

Chemists make building blocks for plastics and medicines from biomass, without dangerous chemicals.

Biochemistry, Bio raw materials, Biomass, Science

Researchers from Wageningen University & Research and Utrecht University have developed a method to produce a versatile chemical building block from plant residues using electricity. The approach avoids toxic liquid bromine and uses a simpler reactor. The results have been published in ChemSusChem. The chemical industry relies heavily on fossil fuels and dangerous process steps…

Bio-based raw materials indispensable for European strategic autonomy

Bio raw materials

The Netherlands must quickly get to work on a national strategy for bio-based raw materials. This call comes from the Lecturers' Platform Biobased Economy, the Lecturers' Platform Applied Science, and the Federation of Bio-Economy Netherlands. In the position paper *Getting to Work with Bio-based Raw Materials*, they advocate for a coherent approach in which biomass is viewed not only as an energy source, but also as…

RVO gives biobased materials a place in carbon removal scheme

Bio raw materials, Biomass

Since March 17, companies and knowledge institutions have been able to submit a pre-registration for a new call for proposals within the MOOI scheme for carbon removal. Notably, the RVO explicitly mentions scope for long-term storage of CO2 in products, including storage of CO2 from air, water, or biogenic point sources, and storage of CO2 in materials consisting of biomass. …

Industry asks Brussels for more room for biomethane

Biomass, Energy transition

A broad group of European industrial organizations wants biomethane to be given a stronger place in European Union policy. In a joint statement dated March 24, the signatories call on Brussels to involve biomethane more explicitly in energy security, industrial competitiveness, and climate policy. According to the organizations, biomethane can help to reduce the use of fossil natural gas…

Europe can meet a large part of the demand for bio-based raw materials itself.

Bio raw materials, Biomass, Reports

Europe potentially has sufficient capacity to meet a large part of its own demand for renewable energy and bio-based raw materials. This is evident from a recent analysis reported by Hernieuwbarebrandstoffen.nl. The outcome provides more direction regarding the role of biomass within the energy transition. The discussion on biomass often focuses on availability. The analysis shows…

European CIRCLE project converts food waste into PLA bioplastic

Biochemistry, Bio raw materials, Biomass

A European consortium is launching a large-scale project to demonstrate that organic food waste can serve as a raw material for high-quality plastics. Within the CIRCLE project, seventeen partners are working on an industrial biorefinery that converts food waste streams into lactic acid and polylactic acid PLA. The project has a budget of approximately 27 million euros and is supported…

EU Court rejects claims of biomass opponents

Biomass

The General Court of the European Union has rejected the objections of environmental organisations against the European rules on biomass. As a result, biomass will provisionally continue to count within the EU rules that determine which investments qualify as sustainable. This is an important signal for the bioeconomy, as the European Commission is allowed to continue its current course. The case was…

Lignin is shifting towards a role as a building block for high-performance materials

Biomass, Science

For a long time, lignin was primarily considered a troublesome component of wood. The substance has a complex structure and is therefore not easy to utilize for high-value applications. In materials research, that perception is shifting. Researchers are increasingly looking at lignin as a building block for bio-based materials with specific functions, for example in nanoparticles, fibers, and additives for plastics. That development stands…

Biomass in focus for battery research

Biomass, Energy, Science

Biomass is primarily known as a source of heat, fuels, and chemical building blocks. New research in Nature Communications reveals a different application. Researchers describe how diverse biomass streams can be converted into hard carbon, a material that can be used in the negative electrode of batteries. The study focuses on so-called hard carbon. That material applies…

High award for discovery that makes biomass more biodegradable

Biochemistry, Biomass, Science

Bioscientist Vincent Eijsink of the Norwegian University of Life Sciences has received the 2026 Novonesis Biotechnology Prize. He is receiving this award for research that has clarified how tough biomass can be broken down much more efficiently. This insight is crucial for processing plant-based waste streams into biofuels, chemicals, and materials. A persistent mystery in…

European bioeconomy growing, but scaling up remains the bottleneck

Biochemistry, Bio raw materials, Biomass, Reports

The European bioeconomy continues to grow, but the transition from innovation to large-scale production remains challenging. This picture emerges from the 2025 Annual Report of the Bio-based Industries Consortium (BIC). The sector is expanding, attracting new members, and receiving increased attention in Brussels. At the same time, the question remains how new bio-based processes and…

New expertise center should lead sustainable chemistry onto the right track sooner

Biochemistry, Bio raw materials, Biomass

The Netherlands is getting a national expertise center to help companies make new chemical substances and materials safer and more sustainable right from the start. TNO, the RIVM (National Institute for Public Health and the Environment), the VNCI (Association of Netherlands Industry and Employers), and the Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management joined forces on March 2, 2026. The center will focus on the principle of Safe and Sustainable by Design…

European Commission wants to accelerate industry with Industrial Accelerator Act

Policy, Biochemistry, Bio raw materials, Biomass

On March 4, 2026, the European Commission presented the Industrial Accelerator Act. With this plan, Brussels aims to grow the manufacturing industry to 20 percent of European GDP within ten years. For the bioeconomy and chemical sectors, the proposal includes concrete instruments to facilitate the transition to sustainable raw materials. Faster construction...

Better Biomass removes GvO as transaction document for biomethane

Bio raw materials, Biomass

The Better Biomass Board of Experts has decided to no longer accept Guarantees of Origin (GOs) as official transaction documents for biomethane. This measure applies to all biomethane with a production date from 1 January 2026 onwards. Traders and producers within the Better Biomass scheme must now use a specific transaction document from the certification scheme itself. The…

DeCarbon Copenhagen 2026: Biomass essential for heavy industry

Biomass, Energy transition

During the DeCarbon Copenhagen 2026 conference, held from February 24th to 26th, the role of biomass in European industrial sustainability was analyzed. The experts present concluded that biogenic carbon is essential for sectors where few technological alternatives are available. The conference brought together representatives from the biomass trade, heavy industry, and digital…

Biogenic CO2 as a raw material for protein and bioplastic

Biochemistry, Science

Biomass remains the primary route to sustainable carbon in many discussions. But bio-based processes also generate a second carbon stream, biogenic CO2. This is released during biomass processing, fermentation, and organic waste treatment. The EU-funded research project UNICO2RN aims to demonstrate how such CO2 streams can be captured and utilized as a raw material for microbial protein…

European Agriculture Council explores practical frameworks for bio-based fertilizers

Bio raw materials, Biomass

During the Agriculture and Fisheries Council meeting, the European Member States discussed the implementation strategy for bio-based fertilizers. The dialogue focused on removing technical barriers to RENURE products, which play a role in the transition of European agriculture and biochemistry. The core of the discussions in Brussels was the practical implementation…

Subsidy for circular biopolyesters significantly increased: more opportunities for Dutch industry

Biochemistry

The Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO.nl) is expanding the Circular Biopolyester Testing (STCB) scheme in 2026. The available funding will increase from €1,5 million to €4 million. Furthermore, for the first time this year, large companies will also be eligible for this support, whereas the scheme was previously limited to small and medium-sized enterprises. The expansion…

Dutch biomass installations support Ukrainian energy supply

Biomass, Energy transition

While Ukraine's large-scale energy infrastructure faces persistent instability, the Dutch business community is working on practical, decentralized alternatives. By deploying Dutch biomass technology, towns and cities are becoming less dependent on the vulnerable central electricity grid. This approach, coordinated by the Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO.nl) and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, serves…

Green light for construction of bio-kerosene plant in Delfzijl after environmental agreement

Bio raw materials, Energy, Energy transition

The realization of Europe's first specialized plant for sustainable aviation fuel has come a step closer. Construction of the DSL-01 facility in Farmsum, near Delfzijl, can finally begin now that an agreement has been reached between fuel producer SkyNRG and environmental organization Mobilization for the Environment (MOB). Additional agreements on environmental standards have resulted in a long-term...

Production of advanced biofuels must increase thirtyfold by 2030

Bio raw materials, Biomass, Energy transition, Reports

The European Commission states in a new report that industrial capacity for advanced biofuels must increase by a factor of 30 by 2030 to meet climate goals. The publication emphasizes that the current focus on refinery capacity alone is insufficient; the entire economic chain surrounding the collection of bio-based feedstocks must be revised. Scaling up is essential for…

Dutch commitment to the EU strategy towards an integrated materials and energy chain

Biochemistry, Bio raw materials, Biomass

The Dutch government has sharpened its ambitions for the European bioeconomy. In a recent BNC factsheet, the government responds to the European Commission's new plans. The core message: The Netherlands is committed to a circular chain in which bio-based raw materials are optimally utilized, with strong synergy between high-quality materials and sustainable energy supply. With the publication of…

Rivierenland starts cultivation of 40 hectares of fiber hemp

Bio raw materials

An agreement has been reached in the Rivierenland region for the cultivation of hemp fiber on 40 hectares of agricultural land. The collaboration between Collectief Rivierenland and Building Balance connects local arable farming directly with the construction sector for the production of biobased building materials. The agreements were officially presented in early February 2026. The initiative is part of the project…

AI optimizes processing of residual flows

Biochemistry, Science

With the growing scarcity of sustainable bioresources, the biggest challenge is not only finding sufficient volume but also managing the complex variability. The international consortium Project OPAL presented groundbreaking results in which AI models and robotics take control in the laboratory. This maximizes the use of scarce bioresources and enables large-scale...

Standardization of biobased construction nears completion with publication of NTA 8230

Bio raw materials, Sustainability

The lack of clear definitions and measurement methods is currently one of the main barriers to the large-scale adoption of natural building materials. With the impending publication of the Dutch Technical Agreement (NTA) 8230 "Biobased Building," scheduled for the end of March 2026, the sector is now entering the final phase of a comprehensive standardization process. The new standard must…

Relement starts commercial scale-up of bio-aromatics for the paint industry

Biochemistry

The innovative chemical company Relement is scaling up the production of biobased aromatics to a commercial level. Fueled by a recent capital injection of €5,4 million, the focus is shifting to the market introduction of Bio MPA, a sustainable alternative to fossil building blocks in coatings. The technology has now been technically validated in industrial paints, enabling its integration into mainstream…

Dutch Emissions Authority concludes that biomass from Malaysia meets legal requirements

Biomass, Reports

The biomass supplied from Malaysia to energy company RWE for co-firing in Dutch power plants meets current legal sustainability requirements. This is the conclusion of the Netherlands Emissions Authority (NEa) in a research report published Thursday. According to the regulator, this provides no legal basis for terminating subsidies or taking enforcement action. The research was…

Synergy between biomass and hydrogen increases carbon utilization efficiency

Bio raw materials, Biomass, Energy transition, Reports

In a recently published report, IEA Bioenergy concludes that the integration of biomass and hydrogen plays a crucial role in achieving climate goals. The analysis, titled "Biomass and Hydrogen: Allies for Net Zero," argues that these two energy carriers should not be viewed as competitors, but as complementary technologies that enhance the efficiency of renewable energy.

Nearly €7,7 million for innovation in green chemistry and circularity

Biochemistry, Sustainability, Projects

Starting February 17, 2026, researchers and companies can apply for a total budget of nearly €7,7 million for innovation projects in the chemical sector. ChemistryNL has opened the 2026 PPP-I call for public-private partnerships focused on the transition to renewable raw materials and circular production processes. With this funding, ChemistryNL is encouraging research into solutions for the…

TNO tests production of chemical building blocks with sunlight and biogenic CO2

Biochemistry, Biomass, Sustainability

The chemical industry is exploring ways to replace fossil oil and gas with renewable sources. Last week, TNO presented new results from the Photons-to-Chemicals (P2C) project. This project uses sunlight directly to convert biogenic CO2 and green hydrogen into raw materials for the chemical industry. Biomass plays a key role in the transition to a…

Fuel transition 2026: New rules and more sectors for biofuels

Bio raw materials, Biomass, Energy transition

The rules for supplying fuel to the Dutch transport sector have changed significantly. Effective January 1, 2026, the previous annual obligation has been replaced by the new "Fuel Transition Obligation." This is more than just a name change: for suppliers, it means a stricter focus on actual CO2 reduction and an extension of the rules to inland and maritime shipping. Companies…

Data center of the future: not just a digital hub, but also a green power plant

Biomass, Energy transition, Reports

The hunger for computing power for AI and cloud services is putting enormous pressure on the energy grid. While governments struggle to integrate new data centers, a recent study in the journal Energies points a new way: by combining biomass, residual heat, and nature-inclusive design, the data center can transform from an "energy guzzler" into a useful neighbor. Data centers are the…

Green gas blending obligation law unveiled: mandatory transition for energy suppliers

Bio raw materials, Sustainability

The Dutch energy transition is receiving strong legal support with the recent publication of the "Green Gas Blending Obligation Act." This bill, now submitted to the Council of State, marks a crucial moment: starting in 2027, energy suppliers will no longer be permitted to supply fossil natural gas without obligation, but will be legally obligated to replace a growing portion with sustainable...

New project strengthens Ukraine's energy security with the use of miscanthus

Biomass, Projects

A new British-Ukrainian initiative is using miscanthus (elephant grass) to restore and sustain Ukraine's fragile energy supply. The project, called MERIT, focuses on utilizing abandoned and contaminated land. The goal is twofold: to create a reliable, decentralized energy source for reconstruction and to restore soil quality. Terravesta, a British company specializing…

Agriculture and bioeconomy closer together

Biomass, Sustainability, Projects

BoerenNatuur and LTO Nederland are publishing a guideline that aims to bridge the gap between pilot projects and policy within the Common Agricultural Policy. The core principle is simple: ensure that pilot projects and policy work together systematically from the outset, organize process management, and ensure that promising outcomes are truly implemented in regulations and practice. Between 2021 and 2024, 22 pilot projects were conducted…

RVO launches innovation program for carbon removal

Biomass, Sustainability

In the coming years, the Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO) will launch a new innovation program for technologies that extract carbon from air, water, or biogenic sources and store it long-term. This initiative aligns with the Dutch government's Carbon Removal Roadmap. RVO is developing the program along three lines. Financial support will be provided through existing innovation instruments. Work is underway to develop a...

Biomass in demand at German auction, more than eight hundred megawatts guaranteed

Biomass, Energy transition

The Federal Network Agency announced the results of the tenders on December 3, with the closing date set for October 1. The biomass tender was significantly oversubscribed. 807 bids were received for 813 megawatts of capacity, totaling 940 megawatts. 692 awards were made, of which 33 were for new installations with 63 megawatts and 659 for existing ones with 752 megawatts.

Europe moves towards carbon removal certification

Biomass, Timber extraction

The European Commission has taken a decisive step towards a reliable European market for carbon removal. New implementing rules are now operationalizing the voluntary certification framework for carbon removal and carbon farming. Implementing Regulation 2025/2358, along with initiatives from the Bioeconomy Strategy, should ensure reliability and reduce administrative burdens. The Commission's goal…

Brussels wants more of its own biomass for the European bioeconomy

Policy, Biochemistry, Bio raw materials, Biomass

On November 27, the European Commission presented a new strategic framework intended to give the European bioeconomy a significant boost. The plan focuses on the large-scale replacement of fossil fuels with biological alternatives and the creation of a competitive and resilient European industry. The bioeconomy is already an economic engine; the sector…

Passion for bio-based resources: how Eurobottle brings sustainability to life

Bio raw materials, Sustainability, SPOTLIGHT ON

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.

Smarter grinding of biomass makes a difference in costs and throughput

Biomass, Science

Reducing biomass to a stable particle size is a key step towards biofuels and biobased products. In practice, this leads to blockages, variable particle distribution, and machine wear. The American bioenergy hub BETO has cited material handling as a barrier to large-scale production for years. New computational models from Idaho National Laboratory address this bottleneck. Researchers combine...

Water board extracts more energy from sewage sludge in Dongemond

Biomass, Energy

The Brabantse Delta Water Board is renovating the fermentation tank at the Dongemond water treatment plant. This tank ferments wastewater sludge into biogas. With new mixers and a fresh inner layer, the water board aims to produce more gas using less electricity. This will help lower energy bills and increase its own clean energy production. Every resident pays a sewage tax. The more efficient the…

Bio energy guide showcases Dutch knowledge

Biomass, Energy, Energy transition

The International Bioenergy Guide 2025 showcases Dutch knowledge and supply chains for international partners. Featuring profiles of dozens of companies and a focus on logistics via Rotterdam and Amsterdam, the publication highlights opportunities for collaboration and market access. The guide was presented in Rotterdam at the end of October during a meeting of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO.nl), and…

Study shows commercial potential of briquettes from fruit waste

Biomass, Energy transition, Science

In Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, a new study shows that fruit waste can be turned into usable cooking fuel. Briquettes made from avocado pits and banana peels, supplemented with bagasse from the sugar industry, perform remarkably well in lab tests. They ignite easily, provide stable heat, and produce little smoke. This suggests opportunities for urban kitchens if the transition to production is feasible…

No choice, no loss: new industrial policy with focus

Policy, Biochemistry, Bio raw materials, Biomass

The government will finalize its top sectors policy on January 1, 2026, and will opt for an industrial policy emphasizing six markets where the Netherlands can win globally. These include semiconductors, biotechnology, defense-related applications including 6G, radar, laser satellite communication, and quantum technologies, digital services with an emphasis on AI, mechanical engineering, and innovative chemistry. For the remaining business sector,...

Manure becomes raw material for protein-rich animal feed

Bio raw materials, Biomass, Sustainability

A PhD project in Sweden shows that animal manure and food waste can be transformed into raw materials for animal feed. Researcher Clarisse Uwineza at the University of Borås describes how organic waste streams are first converted into volatile fatty acids and then serve as food for an edible fungus that forms a protein-rich biomass. This creates a local substitute for…

Two-thirds of the House of Representatives in favor of energy transition: now take action with policy

Policy, Biomass, Energy transition

The new House of Representatives is, at least on paper, ready to move forward with the energy transition. Analysis by the Dutch Sustainable Energy Association (NVDE) shows that at least two-thirds of the newly elected members want to maintain existing climate and energy goals. A significant portion even wants to go further and…

Chemistry and Energy must work together more

Biochemistry, Bio raw materials, Biomass, Blog, Energy transition, Science

(especially in the field of bio-based raw materials) There are a lot of conferences happening in the Netherlands these days. Open LinkedIn and you'll see one lineup after another. Because I'm in that bubble, meetings about energy and chemistry dominate my timeline. I attend some of them, like this week's annual Energy Day of the online magazine Energeia.