The Biogas Systems in Industry report by IEA Bioenergy Task 37 discusses how biogas can play a role in making industrial chains more sustainable. The research shows that fermentation of organic waste streams not only provides a renewable energy source, but also reduces dependence on fossil fuels. Especially sectors with a lot of organic waste, such as…
The chemical industry is concerned about the lack of important decisions now that the cabinet has fallen. According to the industry organization VNCI, necessary sustainability plans are in danger of being delayed due to political uncertainty. “The industry needs clarity in order to be able to invest,” says VNCI chair Nienke Homan. Sustainability under pressure Many chemical companies are busy switching to sustainable business operations.…
What was discarded as worthless grass cuttings for years is given a second life in South Holland. Every year, around ten thousand tons of grass are mowed along provincial roads in the province. Until recently, most of it ended up on the compost heap. That is now changing thanks to a broad partnership under the name Greenhub Zuid-Holland. Greenhub Zuid-Holland consists of more than thirty…
The aviation industry is under pressure to operate faster, more efficiently and, above all, more sustainably. Aircraft are increasingly made of lightweight composite materials, which contribute to lower fuel consumption. But these same materials are vulnerable to damage, for example from hail, collisions on the ground or rough baggage handling. Repairs are often time-consuming, expensive and lead to unnecessary waste of parts.…
While tensions are increasing worldwide and new priorities are being set, the sustainability of our energy and material supply remains more than necessary. For the reader of Biomass Facts this is a known fact, but how can we achieve this together. From the international cooperation within the Clean Energy Ministerial (CEM) and Mission Innovation I see from…
The Netherlands is getting closer to its climate goals. In 2024, almost one fifth of all energy used came from renewable sources. This is thanks to strong growth in offshore wind energy and a doubling of the use of biodiesel in road transport. New figures from the Central Bureau for the…
On 28 May 2025, the European Commission launched a new strategy to support start-ups and scale-ups in the EU. This strategy, called 'Choose Europe to Start and Scale', aims to make Europe more attractive for technology-driven companies. For the bio-based sector, in which many innovative SMEs are active, this strategy offers opportunities to…
This morning, with a cup of coffee in one hand and my phone in the other, I was reading an article about a possible US-Ukraine raw materials deal. According to the reports, the Americans would gain strategic access to Ukrainian raw materials such as lithium and cobalt – materials that are essential for batteries, electric cars and the energy transition. My first thought? What does this mean for Europe? And what does this mean for the Netherlands?
The European Union is taking a new step towards a circular bioeconomy. Under the Circular Bio-based Europe Joint Undertaking (CBE JU), 30 projects have been selected to receive €197,5 million in grants. These projects, spread across 33 countries and involving 416 organisations, focus on developing innovative bio-based solutions to reduce the dependency on…
With the growth of solar and wind, the need for flexibility in the energy system is also growing. Bioenergy proves to be surprisingly versatile in that role, but is still far from being used everywhere. What is possible and what is needed to achieve this? Solar and wind provide clean energy, but not always when we need it.…
Danish energy company GreenGo Energy has announced a fundamental change of course in the so-called Megaton concept. Where the original plan was aimed at the production of e-methanol via Power to X technologies based on renewable electricity and large-scale hydrogen production, the focus is now on biomethanol. This alternative can be realized faster and cheaper. The…
Efforts to decarbonise the European steel sector have taken a major step forward with the development of biocoal from biowaste. This emerging solution directly aligns with the ambitions of the EU Green Deal and the circular economy. New technologies and initiatives in Belgium and Finland, among others, show that this sustainable fuel…
A project has been launched in France to use residual heat from a data centre to produce biomass. The initiative, led by data centre operator Data4 in collaboration with the Fondation de l'Université Paris-Saclay and start-up Blue Planet Ecosystems, is the first step towards a new generation of biocircular data centres. Data centres are the backbone of the digital…
Biobased materials are rapidly gaining ground in the construction sector, but to what extent are they also biodegradable? This is the central question in a practical study currently taking place at the Living Greenlab in Den Bosch. According to a report from MNEXT.nl, two materials specialists are investigating how different forms of mycelium biocomposites behave in natural soil conditions. Researchers Paula Jerez…
As EU Member States press ahead with implementing the Renewable Energy Directive III (REDIII), they are required to apply the “cascading principle” when awarding subsidies for woody biomass for energy. The idea sounds straightforward — prioritize higher-value uses of wood before lower-value ones — but in practice, it is anything but. As I've written previously,…
Avantium, an innovator in renewable chemistry, is working with The Bottle Collective on a new type of sustainable fiber bottle. This collaboration should lead to a widely applicable, fully plant-based packaging solution that can eventually replace plastic bottles. The Bottle Collective is an initiative of PA Consulting and Swedish technology company PulPac, known for its patented Dry Molded Fiber technology.…
Woody biomass from sustainably managed forests now complies with the latest EU directive Biomass from sustainably managed forests can now demonstrably comply with the latest European sustainability requirements. Certification organisation PEFC has adapted its standards to the revised Renewable Energy Directive (RED III). This makes it possible for wood suppliers and buyers of biomass to obtain a PEFC certificate for…
On Saturday 20 September, the Dutch energy transition will once again open its doors. During the fifth edition of the Open Energy Day, citizens throughout the country will have the opportunity to view sustainable energy projects up close. From wind farms and solar fields to geothermal installations and bioenergy plants: visitors can experience for themselves how the energy future of the Netherlands is being built. With more…
The last year the European petrochemical industry has entered into a downward spiral with almost weekly announcements of closures of production facilities. For me as a chemist working in the industry for more than 25 years, it is really fascinating to observe an industrial transformation in real time! The war in Ukraine and more recently…
Methanol is a versatile and much sought-after chemical building block. It is used as a raw material for plastics, adhesives, antifreezes and fuels. But methanol is also a problem child: the vast majority is produced from fossil sources such as natural gas and coal, resulting in substantial CO₂ emissions. This can be done differently, TNO states in a recent article: biomethanol, made from…
The dairy industry annually produces large volumes of whey permeate – a residual flow that has little economic value. While the protein-rich part of whey finds its way into food or animal feed, the sugar-rich and mineral part often remains as a low-value waste product. Yet this liquid holds surprising potential for the biobased industry. It…
In a recent paper in Scientific Reports, researchers present a method to develop a bio-based material that has similar properties to conventional leather. The basis of this material is fungal biomass, grown on bread waste. The study contributes to the search for more sustainable and circular alternatives to animal and synthetic leather. The research team used surplus…
Since the start of Biomassafeiten.nl in 2020, I have been involved with the platform, first in the development of the website, later also in creating and sharing content. During that period, I have increasingly delved into the world of biomass and bio-based raw materials. What I quickly noticed: in the regular media…
A new European call for proposals was launched in Brussels in early April, making no less than 172 million euros available for groundbreaking projects in the circular bioeconomy. It is the largest annual call of the Circular Bio-based Europe Joint Undertaking (CBE JU), a public-private partnership that focuses on accelerating the transition to a more sustainable,…
Without effective gas cleaning, there is no future for high-quality biofuels and biochemistry from biomass. This is evident from a new publication by IEA Bioenergy, which explains how crucial this step is within the gasification process. The study shows which techniques are available, where the challenges lie, and why gas cleaning is often decisive for success. From…
The European energy transition will become significantly more difficult and expensive if biomass is not given a full role. This is evident from a recent study by Chalmers University of Technology, published on 22 April 2025. Researchers show that excluding biomass from the energy mix could lead to an annual cost increase of 169 billion euros. The consequences are…
The European agricultural sector is highly dependent on imported, non-renewable fertilizers. This dependency makes food production vulnerable to supply chain disruptions and leads to rising costs. At the same time, the excessive use of fertilizers contributes to environmental problems such as water pollution, soil degradation and greenhouse gas emissions. The European project ReLEAF aims to develop…
Stricter sustainability criteria and new calculation methods force sector to review The European Union has taken an important step towards a more sustainable energy system with the introduction of RED III in 2023. The revised directive sets stricter requirements and introduces new methods for calculating renewable energy, according to a recent publication by the Central Bureau for…
While the majority of the world’s population is deeply concerned about climate change, many remain silent. Why? Because they think they are the only ones. This is according to a large-scale, global study by Oxford University and the United Nations, published in The Guardian. The study – the largest ever of its kind – surveyed more than…
Burning biomass for energy – it is the classic ‘low-value’ application. Anyone who is somewhat familiar with the world of bio-resources knows the mantra: use biomass as high-value as possible, for example as a raw material for chemicals, materials or biobased products. Energy production is considered a closing item; an inefficient way to utilise a versatile, often difficult to obtain raw material.…
On April 22, we celebrate Earth Day – a global event that brings together millions of people to reflect on our planet. Since 1970, this day has been a call for awareness and action. Whether it’s climate change, biodiversity, air pollution or water quality: Earth Day is the time to look at what we can do better…
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The fashion industry is known for its significant ecological footprint. To reduce this impact, an interdisciplinary team from the University of Groningen is focusing on an innovative alternative: clothing made from mycelium, the root network of fungi. Thanks to a jubilee grant of €100.000 from the Gratama Foundation, they can continue this promising research. A collaboration between science and…
The sustainability of the shipping sector is slowly gaining momentum. Although the maritime sector accounts for around three percent of global CO₂ emissions, the transition to sustainable fuels is lagging far behind other sectors. However, there are opportunities, especially in the use of biofuels. A new report from IEA Bioenergy shows that these fuels…
ChemistryNL is making €5 million available for public-private partnerships that contribute to a sustainable chemical sector. Project proposals can be submitted until 16 September 2025. The new funding round focuses on three themes: water quality and monitoring, carbon capture & utilisation (CCU), and bio-based feedstocks for circular materials. Each theme will be allocated one third of the total budget, with a…
On 11 April 2025, the government presented its vision to make the Netherlands a global leader in biotechnological innovation and application by 2040. With targeted investments, low-regulation testbeds and a focus on social applications, the government wants to use biotechnology as a key technology for health, sustainability and economic growth. Biotechnology offers solutions for urgent social…
A look at new research examining biohubs – and why they’re essential for a sustainable future. The energy transition is driving the need for sustainable alternatives to fossil fuels. Biomass plays an important role in this, but to efficiently collect, process and distribute these resources, a smart logistics approach is needed.…
Materiom, an organization that uses data and AI to support scientists, manufacturers and designers in the development of bio-based materials, has announced the launch of Materiom AI: an innovative chatbot that helps users discover biopolymers, ingredients and additives for sustainable materials development. The chatbot, powered by Google’s Gemini technology, is designed to simplify the…
New scientific research shows how plant residues can contribute to sustainable energy and raw materials On April 3, 2025, a groundbreaking study on agricultural waste, conducted by researchers Mihai Brebu, Daniela Ioniță, and Elena Stoleru, was published in the scientific journal Scientific Reports. The article, titled “Thermal behavior and conversion of agriculture biomass residues by torrefaction and…
The Dutch Sustainable Energy Association (NVDE) sees manure fermentation as a promising solution to the nitrogen problem that the Netherlands is currently facing. According to recent research by Common Futures, manure fermentation can reduce the nitrogen in agriculture by ten million kilos by 2030, which amounts to a quarter of the required nitrogen reduction. This development can help…
In 2024, the Dutch transport sector achieved an impressive increase in the use of renewable energy. According to the Dutch Emissions Authority (NEa), the share of renewable energy increased by no less than 50% compared to 2023. This development contributes significantly to the reduction of CO₂ emissions from transport fuels and marks an important step towards a more sustainable…
Until recently, data centers were largely background infrastructure—quietly plugging away enabling us to send emails, work online and stream our favorite shows. That all changed in November 2022, when OpenAI released the first iteration of ChatGPT. Since then, so-called 'hyperscalers', those investing in large-scale data centers such as Meta, Microsoft, Amazon, and Alphabet, have been…
As of today, 1 April 2025, the new EKOO-Biobased Circular (EKOO-BBC) subsidy scheme has been opened. This scheme, part of the Biobased Circular Growth Fund Programme, makes €2,5 million available for consortia that want to investigate the industrial and economic feasibility of innovative production and recycling processes and applications of biopolyesters. The subsidy is aimed at partnerships between companies and research organisations that…
In a world increasingly dependent on renewable energy sources, biomass gasification offers a promising route to climate-positive hydrogen production. IEA Bioenergy Task 33 recently published a comprehensive report examining the opportunities and challenges of this technology. Hydrogen from biomass: a promising innovation Hydrogen is often seen as a…
Wood, flax, elephant grass and other plant-based raw materials are gaining ground in construction. And not without reason: biobased building materials can play an important role in the fight against climate change. But how sustainable are these materials really? And how do they compare to traditional building materials such as concrete and plastic? These questions were central to a recent study by…
During the National Conference on the Circular Economy, six levels of government, including the central government, provinces, municipalities and water boards, officially signed the agreement on the Joint Forces of the Central Government and the Region on the Circular Economy 2025-2026. The aim of this collaboration is to accelerate and strengthen the implementation of the National Program for the Circular Economy (NPCE). Although the collaboration is broader than just…
Bioenergy can play a key role in the transition to sustainable energy, especially if it is deployed flexibly. But how do different countries view this? IEA Bioenergy asked its own experts. The energy transition requires an energy system that moves with the supply of sun and wind. Because these sources are not always available…
Today, March 24, 2025, we are commemorating a special moment in the Dutch energy transition: Green Energy Day. This day marks the moment when all sustainable energy produced in the Netherlands that year is 'used up' if we were to use it consecutively. This year we have moved forward no less than 16 days compared to…
Minister Hermans (Climate and Green Growth) has sent the final draft Climate Plan 2025-2035 to the House of Representatives. This plan outlines the long-term strategy to make the Netherlands climate neutral in 2050 and contains concrete choices for the period 2030-2035. The Senate has also received a similar letter. A striking part of the Climate Plan is the role of bio-based raw materials…
BIC Trend Report 2024-2025 highlights the importance of biomanufacturing for Europe’s future Europe is facing a major transition towards a more sustainable industry. According to the Bio-based Industries Consortium (BIC) Trend Report 2024-2025, biomanufacturing can play a key role in this transition. Biomanufacturing uses biological feedstock to produce materials and chemicals and…
Reudink, the organic animal feed producer and part of ForFarmers, is taking an important step towards sustainability by switching to biogas from local dairy farmers in Laren and Lochem. This transition is intended to make the production location in Lochem CO₂ neutral by 2026. The company reports this in a message on its website. Although Reudink already…
From 1 April 2025, entrepreneurs and researchers can apply for new subsidy opportunities for sustainable innovations in the built environment through the Energy & Climate Research and Development (EKOO) scheme. This scheme places a strong emphasis on innovative solutions for making homes and utility buildings more sustainable, including the use of biobased materials and circular applications.…
Interest in fibre hemp is growing steadily, mainly because of the valuable role it can play as a biobased building material. Building Balance, in collaboration with farmers, researchers and processors, has examined the developments and cultivation results of 2023 and 2024. The findings shed new light on the possibilities and challenges for hemp cultivation in the Netherlands. Hemp fibres…
The International Energy Agency (IEA) has published a new report on how bioenergy production can be better integrated into broader bioeconomy networks. Instead of using bio-resources for just one purpose, the report “Synergies for bioenergy supply chains in bioeconomy networks” advocates a system in which energy, materials and nutrients are combined more intelligently. Traditionally,…
In 2024, a milestone was reached in the Netherlands: for the first time, half of total electricity production came from renewable sources such as solar, wind and biomass. According to recent figures from Statistics Netherlands (CBS), electricity production from renewable sources increased by 10 percent to 61 billion kWh, while production from…
The tenth edition of the Circular Economy Week will take place from 17 to 22 March 2025. During this national event, pioneers, companies and governments will open their doors to show how circular entrepreneurship works in practice and how we can deal with raw materials and waste more intelligently. Biobased innovations and…
Europe is taking an ambitious step towards a sustainable future with the introduction of the Clean Industrial Deal, the successor to the Green Deal. This initiative supports countries and companies in their transition to sustainability, while strengthening economic resilience and competitiveness vis-à-vis major powers such as the United States and China. With this deal,…
The Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO) has announced that the opening of the Sustainable Energy Production and Climate Transition (SDE++) subsidy for 2025 has been postponed by one month. Entrepreneurs can submit their applications from 7 October to 6 November 2025. This postponement offers additional time to prepare high-quality applications. In order to…
French company Haffner Energy has opened a new production site in Marolles, where hydrogen is made from biomass. This means that no fossil fuels or large amounts of electricity are needed to produce hydrogen. Instead, the plant uses agricultural waste streams and other plant materials to produce hydrogen gas and biochar.…
A recent report from IEA Bioenergy Task 39 highlights the crucial role of advanced biofuels in reducing CO₂ emissions from the transport sector. The report, entitled “Monitoring the deployment of advanced biofuel demonstration facilities”, provides a comprehensive overview of the development and deployment of advanced biofuel facilities worldwide. Key findings: The report also highlights the…
Researchers at The University of Texas at Austin have developed an innovative method to capture drinkable water from the air using everyday biomass, such as food scraps, branches and shells. These “molecularly functional biomass hydrogels” can convert a variety of natural materials into sorbents that absorb moisture from the air. By combining these sorbents with mild…
This morning, with a cup of coffee in one hand and my phone in the other, I was reading an article about a possible US-Ukraine raw materials deal. According to the reports, the Americans would gain strategic access to Ukrainian raw materials such as lithium and cobalt – materials that are essential for batteries, electric cars and the energy transition. My first thought? What does this mean for Europe? And what does this mean for the Netherlands?
The European Commission recently presented its vision for the future of farming and food in Europe, aiming to achieve a competitive, resilient and sustainable agri-food sector by 2040. A key player in this transformation is the Circular Bio-based Europe Joint Undertaking (CBE JU), which is committed to providing bio-based solutions to…
In the transition to a circular and biobased economy, biomass plays an essential role. It not only offers sustainable solutions, but also increases self-sufficiency and reduces dependence on fossil sources outside Europe. To facilitate this transition, TNO and its partners have developed the advanced biorefinery technology Fabiola. This technology converts various biomass residual flows into…
Statistics Netherlands (CBS) has published a new report that provides insight into the use of materials in the Dutch economy. This report, entitled 'Energetic versus non-energetic use of materials', shows how fossil and biotic raw materials are used and what the consequences are for the circular economy. Materials can be used in…
The European Bioeconomy Alliance (EUBA) launched its new video on 12 February 2025, highlighting the crucial role of the bioeconomy in the transition to a climate-neutral, circular and resilient Europe. EUBA represents key sectors within the bioeconomy, including agriculture, forestry, biotechnology, sugar, starch, vegetable oils, pulp and paper, bioplastics, renewable ethanol and…
Green Chemistry, New Economy (GCNE) plays a crucial role in making the chemical industry more sustainable. This initiative helps companies transition to a circular economy, where fossil resources are replaced by renewable and circular alternatives. The GCNE Monitor 2024 report by TNO Vector outlines the challenges, opportunities and contribution of…
The application of CO2 utilization in ethanol production offers promising opportunities to reduce emissions and promote circular processes. Recent research by IEA Bioenergy presents several practical examples in which CO2 emissions are no longer considered as a waste product, but are reused in valuable applications. Sustainable applications of CO2 Ethanol production emits a significant amount of CO2…
An interdisciplinary team of scientists from King's College London and Swansea University, in collaboration with researchers in Chile, are working to develop a new type of self-healing asphalt that can repair its own cracks without the need for maintenance or human intervention. This innovative asphalt, which uses biomass waste, could extend the life of roads…
The Dutch economy is 18,5 percent sustainable. This is evident from the sixth edition of the New Economy Index (NEx), an annual study by MVO Nederland. Although the index has increased by 1,0 percentage point compared to 2024, the increase has leveled off over the past six years. According to Ankie van Wersch, director-manager of MVO Nederland,…
Implementing a circular bioeconomy in the construction sector is a necessary strategy to address our global climate crisis. As each solution has practical and environmental limitations, it is clear that creating a material palette of renewable biogenic building materials will increase access to bio-based construction. Photosynthetic organisms, including marine biomass such as seaweed and…
At the Global Forum for Food and Agriculture (GFFA) in Berlin, agriculture ministers from more than 70 countries unanimously expressed their support for a sustainable bioeconomy. Led by German Agriculture Minister Cem Özdemir, the ministers expressed their ambition to strengthen the contribution of the bioeconomy to global food security, to preserve biodiversity and…
Making the chemical sector and derived materials more sustainable is a crucial and urgent challenge to achieve the EU’s climate neutrality target by 2050. The Bio-based Industries Consortium (BIC) and the Renewable Carbon Initiative (RCI) have jointly commissioned a study by the nova Institute. This study focuses on the question of whether there is sufficient sustainable…
The aviation sector may account for a relatively small proportion of global carbon emissions (2.5%), but it remains one of the most challenging sectors to decarbonise. A large part of the solution lies with the scale-up of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) with the International Air Transport Association expecting SAF to contribute 65% to achieving net-zero…
Flemish biotech startup Zymofix has developed an innovative technology to convert low-value biomass waste streams, such as agricultural residues, into useful microorganisms. These microbes can be used to improve soil health, break down pollutants and replace traditional chemical processes in various industries. This was recently explained on the VLAIO website.…
During the annual WOCODA event, which focuses on innovative housing concepts and sustainable public housing, an important milestone was reached in the transition to biobased construction on 30 January. Eight leading construction companies – BAM Wonen, BARLI, Bouwgroep Dijkstra Draisma, GeWoonhout, Heddes, Heijmans, Hurks and Plegt-Vos – jointly signed a declaration of commitment with Building Balance. In doing so, they confirm their…
The construction sector is one of the largest sources of CO2 emissions, but fortunately there are more and more sustainable alternatives available. Did you know that the use of concrete and steel in the construction of a house emits as much CO2 as twenty return flights between Amsterdam and New York? An important step towards sustainable construction is biobased insulation. This…
When carrying out work in nature reserves, these must be carried out within the framework of the Nature Conservation Act. To make this practically possible, a code of conduct has been drawn up. When working within the guidelines of this code of conduct, one remains within the framework. In December 2024, the administrative court ruled on a…
Aromatics are the backbone of many products we use every day, from adhesives and coatings to cleaning agents and agrochemicals. Traditionally, these substances are derived from petroleum, but renewable alternatives are gaining ground. Cashew Shell Biorefinery (CSBR), located at the Brightlands Chemelot Campus in Geleen, the Netherlands, is leading the way. The company has developed a technology to…
From residual flows to wind farms From 28 January 2025, entrepreneurs can once again submit applications for the Energy and Climate Innovation Demonstration (DEI+) subsidies. This year, the total budget has increased to €370 million, a significant increase compared to the €305 million in 2024. All ten themes within the scheme will be opened simultaneously, which immediately offers entrepreneurs the opportunity…
The Flemish bioeconomy is growing at a rapid pace, according to the most recent figures from the Flemish Bioeconomy Monitor, presented by Flemish Minister-President Matthias Diependaele. “The Flemish biobased economy contributes to more than one third of the total added value of our industry. With this, we even surpass neighbouring countries such as the Netherlands and Germany,” says Diependaele…
The CBE JU Info Day 2025 is scheduled for 3 April in Brussels. The event will showcase the recently announced €165 million funding opportunities, aimed at advancing a sustainable circular bioeconomy in Europe. This hybrid event will offer participants the opportunity to engage in in-depth sessions on 13 different funding topics.…
In a controversial move, US President Donald Trump has announced that the United States will once again withdraw from the Paris Climate Agreement. At a rally at the Capital One Arena, Trump signed the official executive orders ratifying the departure. The move is seen as a powerful symbolic act in Trump’s bid to overhaul climate policy…
We hear and read daily that the Cabinet is not always on the same page. It is becoming increasingly clear that this division also hinders policy choices. Stimulation of green gas, produced from biogenic residual flows, is one of the first dossiers to fail as a result. Blending obligation For years, work has been done on a legally required percentage in…
Bioenergy Europe releases 2024 Landscape Report Bioenergy Europe has released its 2024 Landscape Report, a comprehensive analysis of the role of bioenergy in Europe’s transition to a net-zero economy by 2050. The report provides key insights for policymakers and market players, highlighting the contributions of bioenergy to decarbonisation, energy independence and economic competitiveness. “The 2024 Landscape Report…
IEA Bioenergy has published a report on the implementation of bioenergy in the Netherlands. This report is based on data from the World Energy Balances and Renewables Information 2024 of the International Energy Agency (IEA) and includes additional information from the IEA Bioenergy Executive Committee, national experts and sources such as FAOstat and Eurostat. The report provides a…
The new year has begun, and with the end of the holidays the question arises: what happens to the Christmas trees? Municipalities throughout the Netherlands are calling on their residents to help collect them and rewarding them in creative ways. Cleaning up Christmas trees together After the holidays, many municipalities collect Christmas trees. This…
Building materials can play a crucial role in the fight against climate change. A study published on Science.org found that completely replacing traditional building materials with carbon-storing materials could sequester up to 16,6 billion tons of CO2 annually. This is equivalent to about half of global CO2 emissions in 2021. This approach offers an opportunity to…
In 2024, for the first time, more than half of all electricity generated in the Netherlands came from renewable sources such as wind, sun and biomass. Despite this milestone, a significant portion of green energy was lost due to a lack of storage and network capacity. According to annual figures from Energieopwek.nl, 54% of the electricity in the Netherlands was…
In this first full week of the new year, I would like to wish everyone all the best for 2025! I hope you had a nice, warm holiday season, ended 2024 in a beautiful way, and started this new year full of fresh energy.
The government is taking an important step towards a circular economy by making plastics more sustainable. In a recent letter to the House of Representatives, Minister Hermans of Climate and Green Growth and State Secretary Jansen of Infrastructure and Water Management announced a bill for a circular plastic standard. This standard will oblige companies to use sustainable bio-based raw materials from 2027 onwards.
Statistics Netherlands (CBS), in collaboration with the Royal Association of the Dutch Chemical Industry (VNCI) and the Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO), has conducted a pilot study into the use of biomass as a raw material. This study, based on data from the 2023 reporting year, marks an important step in monitoring the…
Good news for homeowners and companies who want to make their homes or buildings more sustainable: as of today, subsidies can once again be applied for via the Investment Subsidy for Sustainable Energy and Energy Conservation (ISDE). With an increased budget of 600 million euros, an increase of 40 million euros compared to last year, the scheme has been further expanded and made more accessible.…
As 2024 draws to a close, we would like to send you a warm Christmas greeting! This year, we have once again enjoyed sharing valuable information about biomass with you. The conversations we have had with companies that work with biomass in various ways have not only been educational, but also very inspiring. It is fantastic to see how versatile and innovative this sector is, and we are grateful for all the insights we have gained.
A broad coalition of more than 70 companies, industry associations, networks and NGOs has jointly called for creating market demand for clean industrial products in a letter to European Commissioner Wopke Hoekstra. This call is essential to secure the future of European industry and to promote sustainable growth. Without immediate action, investments in…
The challenges in the field of sustainability and the growing construction task require innovative solutions. Biobased construction is a promising development that not only contributes to a circular economy, but also offers opportunities for reducing CO2 emissions and improving the living environment. For TNO, biobased construction is an important spearhead, where plenty of attention is paid to…
Relement has entered into an offtake agreement with Worlée Chemie GmbH, a leading German chemical company. This agreement secures a fixed quantity of Bio MPA, an innovative and biobased raw material for use in coating resins. Bio MPA, Relement’s first product, will be produced on a tonne scale via contract manufacturing by the end of 2025. This material was developed to replace fossil…
In November 2024, the Tech Tour Bio Based Industries Program took place in Wuppertal, preceding the annual forum of Circular Valley, the event’s sponsor. The program brought together investors and innovative entrepreneurs to scale up sustainable projects and make them market-ready. According to William Stevens of Tech Tour, this is not…
The Stedendriehoek region will take an accelerated step in biobased (re)construction from 2025. The use of biobased materials – natural and ecologically responsible raw materials – not only reduces CO2 emissions, but also requires less energy during production. This sustainable construction method fits in seamlessly with the urgency to green the construction sector. Municipalities and partners in…
One of the first municipalities in Denmark is exploring the potential of biochar to reduce CO₂ emissions and improve the urban environment in an EU-funded experiment. The Danish municipality of Vallensbæk is taking an innovative step in its climate policy with a pilot project testing the use of biochar in urban landscaping. The goal? Reduced water and…
