Technological breakthrough: Fungi 'glue' natural waste into 100% climate-friendly insulation boards

Today, startup FC-i (First Circular Insulation) announced an important breakthrough in the field of 100% natural insulation materials. By using residual flows from forest and nature management of Staatsbosbeheer and Natuurmonumenten, large insulation panels are made using fungi (mycelium). These fungi are continuously cultivated in a reactor vessel at the innovative production line in Veenoord.…

Flexible bioenergy: Key role in sustainable energy systems in different countries

In energy systems with an increasing share of variable energy sources such as solar and wind energy, bioenergy plays an increasingly important role, especially in regions where alternative renewable energy sources are difficult or expensive to supply. Climate-efficient and cost-effective flexibility of bioenergy is crucial. This flexibility not only plays a role in the supply of electricity, but also…

Biorefinery, bioenergy and biochemistry innovation mission to India

Are you involved in innovation or research in the field of biorefinery, bioenergy, biofuels or bioraw materials for the chemical industry? Would you like to gain insight into developments in India and expand your network with Indian experts? Then the innovation mission 'Biorefinery, bioenergy, biochemistry' to India, organized by the Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO), is something for…

Sustainable glass of juice: from orange peel to valuable product

In a world where sustainability is increasingly central, the story of PeelPioneers is an example of how a seemingly mundane problem can lead to innovative solutions. It all started about ten years ago, when the popularity of orange juice machines in supermarkets peaked. Consumers enjoyed the convenience and freshness of freshly squeezed juice, but at the same time a new problem arose: what to do with the mountains of orange peels that were left behind as a byproduct?

Pilot project for Biobased and Circular Bank Protection started in Hellouw

Can bank protection be made of both natural material and circular? An innovative pilot is investigating this question in the context of the SBIR call for Biobased and Circular Bank Protection. Two promising materials, willow wicker and biocomposite, are being tested for their durability and effectiveness. The test location in Hellouw, Gelderland, was officially opened in May. At a ditch along the wharf…

In the spotlight: RBCN

Biomass Facts is made possible by the generous support of companies and organizations to government agencies. Thanks to the involvement of these parties, we can continue our work and take an objective, informative look at the versatile world of biomass. We are grateful for the support and look forward to working together to raise awareness and knowledge about biomass...

Frans Timmermans turns against biomass despite previous support: “Unbelievable and absurd”

The House of Representatives has decided that the burning of woody biomass should no longer be regarded as a 'sustainable energy source'. It is striking that Frans Timmermans, now PvdA/GL leader, also supports this change of course. While in his role as European Commissioner he was still a strong supporter of biomass as an alternative to fossil fuels. The Animal Party came up with a motion…

BioBTX raises more than €80 million for the construction of the world's first renewable aromatics factory

BioBTX, Dutch technology developer in circular chemistry, has raised more than €80 million to build its first commercial factory. This investment makes it possible to scale up BioBTX's innovative ICCP technology in the PETRA Circular Chemicals Plant in Delfzijl. In this factory, plastic residual flows are converted into aromatics, building blocks for chemical...

“Raw materials are scarce and it is clear that something needs to change quickly in the way we deal with them.”

In Drachten we find Fiberplast Group, a supplier of sustainable floor and facade solutions. Their mission is clear: delivering total solutions with a strong emphasis on biobased and circular construction. We spoke with CEO Walter Wieten and Commercial Director Gert Vos about their view on the future of the construction industry.

Biobased building seminar: NEXT level

About 2030 homes must be built in our country by 900.000. The demand for building materials is increasing significantly. Together we work towards one goal: accelerating the transition to a circular and biobased (construction) economy. Biobased building: NEXT level. Circular construction The demand for building materials is increasing significantly due to the enormous demand for homes. Where…

'Scenario study of green gas production around 2030' shows that the green gas blending obligation target is achievable

The Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate has presented the 'Scenario study of green gas production around 2030' to the House of Representatives. This study, conducted by CE Delft and New Energy Coalition, explores the development of green gas installations, their locations and production volumes in the Netherlands towards 2030. The results provide insight into provincial production capacities based on local…

West North Brabant will become a hotspot for biobased building blocks for the construction sector

Over the next 3 years, 11 partners in West North Brabant will work under the leadership of TNO to create green building blocks with local vegetable residual flows. From grass to glue, from sugar beet pulp to paint or from wood chips to insulating foam are examples of what the B4 project – Better Biobased Building Blocks – has in mind. These building blocks…

ESG & Economy – What can we expect from bioenergy?

Bioenergy is one of the largest renewable energy sources worldwide and also one of the most important energy pillars in the future energy mix. Raw materials from biomass can be converted into different forms of energy via various chemical, biochemical, mechanical or thermochemical processes, such as cooling, heating, electricity production or the production of biofuels. Introduction Bioenergy is one of the largest renewable energy sources…

Microsoft signs largest ever carbon removal deal

Microsoft and Swedish energy company Stockholm Exergi have announced a 10-year offtake agreement, which will provide Microsoft with more than 3,3 million tonnes of carbon removal certificates from the planned Bioenergy with Carbon Capture and Storage (BECCS) facility in Värtan, Stockholm. The agreement marks the world's largest ever carbon removal deal, according to the companies. Anders Egelrud, CEO of Stockholm Exergi: “The agreement…

Turin Joint Declaration on Sustainable Biofuels presented to G7

The Turin Joint Declaration on Sustainable Biofuels highlights the role of sustainable biofuels in decarbonizing all transport sectors, promoting environmental sustainability, innovation and creating value for communities. The statement, signed by more than 75 industry leaders, trade associations and R&D organizations, draws attention to actions the G7 countries can…

Memorandum of understanding for the development of bioship technology and plans to build the world's first biomass-powered ship

Leading Japanese Companies, NYK Line (NYK), NYK Bulk & Projects Carriers (NBP), TSUNEISHI SHIPBUILDING Co., Ltd. (“TSUNEISHI SHIPBUILDING”) and British renewable energy company Drax Group (Drax) have signed a new Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to develop both the world's first biomass-powered ship (bioship) and the technology that powers it could be…

Digital Twins in agri-food

The European Bio-Based Digital Twins (BBTWINS) project is organizing a webinar on May 15 from 10.00:11.00 AM to 2:XNUMX AM CET (GMT+XNUMX) examining the potential of digital twins within the biobased agri-food sector. BBTWINS is developing a digital platform for the optimization of agrifood value chain processes and the supply of high-quality biomass for bioprocessing. The platform is based on…

Suppliers of biobased products welcome free of charge during Biobased Acceleration Day 2024

Bringing products and users together in the biobased economy is important. That is why Biobased Innovations Garden cordially invites suppliers of biobased products to promote their products at the exhibitor market during the Biobased Acceleration Day 2024. This day is intended to show which biobased products are already being produced. Textiles, packaging, cosmetics…

More bio raw materials needed to make the Netherlands climate neutral

The Netherlands can be climate neutral by 2050 without adjusting its economic structure. This is evident from new research by the Netherlands Environmental Assessment Agency (PBL). The condition is that the production of bio raw materials and green hydrogen is significantly scaled up. The PBL calculated more than thirty techno-economic processes and concludes that postponing or excluding in advance…

Also treat green gas as a sustainable alternative for tax purposes

The tax on natural gas is going up. The outgoing government is imposing a heavy energy tax on large-scale consumers in particular. In the Spring Memorandum, an increase of 22,4 percent was announced for the third, fourth and fifth brackets. An additional increase of 2030 percent will follow in 2,7. These are measures that should encourage major consumers to look for sustainable alternatives to natural gas. Hydrogen, for example, for which a separate reduced rate applies.

BIC country reports stimulate development of the biobased industry in Europe

The demand for sustainable and circular alternatives to fossil raw materials offers opportunities for the European biobased industry. This also applies to Central and Eastern European countries, where the development of biobased activities has lagged behind that in Western Europe. Recently updated country reports on the biobased industry in Romania and Poland underline the enormous potential in these countries,…

First Growers Cooperative for the production of biobased building materials

A group of Brabant farmers who grow raw materials for biobased building materials are uniting in the new Growers Cooperative. According to the initiators, the establishment of this cooperative focused on biobased crops is a first in the Netherlands. "This sustainable way of growing can become an alternative revenue model for many agricultural entrepreneurs," says board member and farmer John Verberne of…

In the spotlight: Staatsbosbeheer

Staatsbosbeheer manages approximately 275.000 hectares of land for the Dutch company, of which approximately 100.000 hectares is FSC certified forest. We were founded exactly 125 years ago to bring poor 'waste' land to sustainable use. In other words, forest planting and its management. But we no longer produce wood alone. We also provide a living environment for people, plants and animals. Briefly summarized in three pillars: Protect, Experience and Utilize.

US Department of Energy Estimates 1 Billion Tons of Sustainable Biomass Available – the EU may need to update their own conclusions

Last month, the US Department of Energy (DOE) updated its cornerstone study on the availability of sustainable biomass concluding “More than 1 billion tons of biomass production capacity is identified nationally, while meeting projected demands for food, feed, fiber, and exports. ” The report covers a range of possible feedstocks, not just woody biomass. At the…

The government will provide maximum encouragement for cultivation for construction

The government will stimulate the cultivation of bio-based building materials as much as possible. Outgoing Minister Hugo de Jonge of Housing and Spatial Planning reminded the House of Representatives of this during a debate on circular construction. Member of Parliament Cor Pierik (BBB) ​​demands more effort from the cabinet. 'Or growing raw materials for the construction of a new…

How many demands do you want to make on the lifeboat when the ship starts to sink?

How many demands do you want to make on the lifeboat when the ship starts to sink? The recent political debate about bioenergy with CO2 storage (BECCS) reminded me of this cartoon. The Party for the Animals proposed banning sustainable biomass + CO2 storage for electricity production. Fortunately, the House of Representatives decided not to get rid of any tools...

Cosmetics manufacturer Intercos is working with Amarey (illycaffè) on circular cosmetic raw materials

Intercos SpA, global leader in research and development, production and marketing of cosmetics and skin care and hair and body care. Amarey, founded by the Illy family, an innovative start-up specialized in functional coffee-based products, announces a strategic partnership for research, innovation and development of cosmetic raw materials obtained with respect for…

Annual Report Green Gas Platform 2023

The 2023 annual report provides a good picture of all activities and developments that the Green Gas Platform was involved with last year. Both in general terms and per expert group. It was an eventful year with a number of striking topics: a calculation error in the SDE++ subsidy for the category of small-scale mono-manure fermentation, uncertainty about...

Columbus' egg 

After the Easter weekend it is very appropriate to tell a story about an egg and I thought of Columbus' egg, a symbol for finding a simple solution to a challenging problem. For decades we have been trying to replace fossil raw materials with biogenic alternatives, but the road to sustainability appears to be bumpier than expected.…

Omelet discomfort

The down-to-earth English already figured it out: 'You can't make an omelet without breaking eggs'. It is no different with wood and trees: a healthy, thick tree is cut down to make a wooden table. And that change is sometimes, and for some people, a painful experience. Not surprising of course, especially when it comes to thick trees...

How much biomass is there?

At the end of last year I took part in a working visit to a few interesting bio boilers in Amersfoort. Then the question arose how much sustainable biomass there is actually locally: How do you show that there is enough biomass in a radius of 150 km around Amersfoort? It turned out that an answer was not easy to give. Because I…

Teunissen's amendment deserves nuance

On Tuesday, March 5, the amendment by member Teunissen (2-36197: ban on biomass from forests for energy generation) was put to the vote in the 22nd chamber and rejected. I would like to reflect on a few statements and assumptions that were added to the motion for reasons of motivation. One of the statements is that production…

A better wood chain is needed to build more with wood

To be able to build more with wood and other bio raw materials, a reliable chain is needed. “There is still room for improvement in the Netherlands,” says Henk Wanningen, raw materials expert at Staatsbosbeheer. “We have taken the initiative to ensure that all parties in that chain, from forest owners to wood processors, work together better.” He also believes it is important…

Almost half of electricity production is green

Sun, wind and biomass: almost half of the production of electrical energy in the Netherlands in 2023 came from renewable sources. Statistics Netherlands reports this based on provisional figures. According to Statistics Netherlands, the production of electricity from renewable sources increased by 21 percent compared to the previous year. The share of renewable sources…

Why the EU considers biomass a zero-emissions energy source and why it makes sense

The climate policy of the European Union (EU) is among some of the most well-developed in the world. However, with that depth comes complexity which inevitably leads to misunderstanding. One of the most misunderstood points is the “zero-emissions” factor that sustainable wood-based biomass receives in the EU Emissions Trading System (EU-ETS). This means that the…

Handbook 'Housing in wood' helps corporations with sustainable and biobased construction

Martin van Rijn, chairman of Aedes, received the new Handbook 'Housing in timber' from Karo van Dongen, on behalf of the Brabantse Houtbouw Lente corporations, on February 26, 2024. Timber construction offers opportunities for social housing because it is sustainable, biobased and healthy. The environmental benefit lies in reducing CO2 emissions compared to traditional construction methods.…

More SDE++ subsidy for energy generation and CO2 reduction for companies in 2024

This year, entrepreneurs can again apply for the Stimulation of Sustainable Energy Production and Climate Transition (SDE++) subsidy. In the 2024 application round, €11,5 billion is available for energy generation and CO2 reduction by companies. That is €3,5 billion more than last year. There are also some techniques to do this. Projects with solar panels and wind turbines on…

West Brabant Housing Corporations are committed to bio-based insulation of homes

In a joint effort to promote sustainability and reduce the impact on the environment, five leading housing associations in West Brabant – Thuisvester, Alwel, Laurentius, Woonkwartier and Stadlander – took an important step on February 20. They have signed a commitment statement to use bio-based insulation materials more often in new construction and renovation projects. This initiative…

Bioenergy information card

Energy is everywhere. Under your feet, deep in the ground, for example. But also in manure, straw, wood waste and mown roadside grass. Platform This is how energy works in the Netherlands launched an Information Card on Bioenergy this week. The map has been created in such a way that the reader quickly gains insight into the most important characteristics and advantages and disadvantages of bioenergy. Bioenergy…

March 8 is Green Energy Day 2024

On March 8 this year, we will have used up all the renewable energy that the Netherlands produces by 2024. This day, known as Green Energy Day, symbolizes the moment when we have exhausted our supply of renewable energy for the year, if we were to rely on it current consumption level. The Dutch Sustainable Energy Association (NVDE) has…

Master Materials & Energy Transition starts this year at Avans

The new Master's program in Materials & Energy Transition (MET) from Avans University of Applied Sciences seems likely to start in September 2024. The Dutch-Flemish Accreditation Organization has taken a positive decision. This means that students can officially register via Studielink in mid-April. Teacher-researchers Ad Breukel, Michiel Michels and Mertijn Weeda are in the team…

Circular BioBest Trophy 2024: sustainability in the Lenten evening parade

At a time when sustainability and environmental awareness are becoming increasingly important, the municipality of Bergen op Zoom took a special initiative in 2017: the establishment of the BioBest Trophy. This prize was awarded to the most sustainable and environmentally friendly car that took part in the big parade in the 'Krabbegat'. Over the years, the…

Open letter: a call for clear rules and incentives in the EU's Green Claims Directive

The CDR sector is calling for the Green Claims Directive to recognize the role of climate claims in driving investment in permanent and high-integrity carbon removal, as long as this does not hinder or reduce a company's absolute emissions reduction target. Reducing greenhouse gas emissions remains the most direct and effective way to slow climate change and...

New cabinet must get started with biomass

Not every politician embraces the bioenergy phenomenon. He or she avoids the subject or is outright against it. Some people fear a manure lock-in due to the fermentation of cow manure, others fear the disappearance of forests due to the gasification of wood chips. There are concerns about food displacement and the consumption of high-quality bio-raw materials, here and elsewhere in the world. How sustainable can bioenergy be?

“Industries play a key role in the circular economy”

More than 1.000 visitors attended the second Circular Valley Forum in the Historical Stadthalle of Wuppertal (Germany) in November last year. The high-level event for the circular economy, organized by Circular Valley, Tech Tour and the Bio-Based Industries Consortium (BIC), brought together industry, policymakers, entrepreneurs, scientists and civil society organizations. The first day of…

Biobased insulation will be extra beneficial for home owners in 2024

With the start of 2024, new opportunities will arise in the field of bio-based building materials, including wood, flax and hemp fiber. In an effort to promote sustainability, the Dutch government has significantly increased the subsidy amounts for insulation measures with biobased materials for both home owners and business parties. Home owners who decide to clean their roof, floor or…

Inventory monitoring bio-raw materials

The report conducts research into the biobased economy. It focuses on the use and application of bio raw materials per economic sector. The important basis of the Sustainability Framework is the SER report 'Biomass in Balance: A sustainability framework for high-quality use of bio raw materials. The SER report sets out the principles for the responsible use of bio-based raw materials with...

North Brabant invests € 1,53 million in biobased (agricultural) construction economy

The province of North Brabant will release €1,53 million in the coming years to boost the biobased (agricultural) construction economy in the region. This is done in collaboration with Building Balance. Building Balance is a national transition program with the aim of accelerating the use of bio-based raw materials in construction. The provincial contribution has been approved by GS…

From waste to raw material: innovation subsidy for gasification of residual flows

From February 15, 2024, entrepreneurs can apply for a DEI+ subsidy for a demonstration project for the gasification of residual flows, such as organic waste. A production installation then converts the organic material into gas. This innovative process ensures sustainable production of energy carriers and raw materials and is an alternative to fossil raw materials. Reusing waste The subsidy is for…

Air Burners launches BioCharger collaboration with Rolls-Royce and Volvo CE

Air Burners, a global manufacturer of air curtain burners, has collaborated with Rolls-Royce and Volvo Construction Equipment (CE) to develop and test the BioCharger, an innovative, portable machine that converts biomass waste into energy. The BioCharger is the first machine of its kind and combines three innovative steps to deliver off-grid power from vegetative waste management.…

Making paper from grass

Wageningen researchers convert useless grass from roadsides and nature reserves into raw material for paper and cardboard. That could mean a boost for the local economy. 'We save trees in Scandinavia and the transport of paper to the Netherlands becomes unnecessary.' In a test room of ACCRES in Lelystad, the test and development location for sustainable energy and green…

The new energy transition spokespersons in the House of Representatives

The new House of Representatives was installed at the beginning of December, which means that the factions were allowed to divide the portfolios among their MPs. On this page you can see who will be speaking in the coming years on the themes of Climate and Energy, Industry, Mobility, Housing and Spatial Planning and Environmental Act. Climate and energy Industry Mobility…

First biobased industrial coating demonstrated with partners Worlée Chemie and Baril Coatings

Relement, Worlée Chemie and Baril Coatings have jointly developed a bio-based coating. The bio-raw material replaces phthalic anhydride, which is produced from fossil raw materials. The three parties worked on this development for three years. A successful demonstration proved that industrial performance coatings can be durable. It contains the highest percentage of biobased content ever achieved. For years, the…