Behind the scenes at Dutch Water Tech: passion for bio-based raw materials and circular solutions

Bio raw materials, Biomass, Sustainability, SPOTLIGHT ON

When Ingrid Goumans starts talking about her work at Avantium, where she's Director of Public Affairs, something shifts in her demeanor. Her eyes light up, her voice quickens, and it's immediately clear: this is someone who believes in what she does. Not because she has to, but because it feels like a meaningful choice. "The idea that your work contributes to a cleaner world—that's what makes the difference for me," she says.

IEA Bioenergy opens submissions for new perspective on bioenergy towards net zero

Bio raw materials, Sustainability, Energy

IEA Bioenergy is asking researchers and practitioners to share recent insights on the role of bioenergy in pathways to net zero and net negative. The call focuses on two areas: how bioenergy systems connect with other energy systems and with land-based climate options such as reforestation, planting, and biochar. And how the supply of biomass from agriculture…

ChemistryNL opens subsidy calls for water quality, bio-based raw materials and CCU

Biochemistry, Bio raw materials, Sustainability

ChemistryNL is making a total of €1,8 million available in the second round of three grant calls. These are for public-private projects in the areas of water quality and monitoring, bio-based feedstocks, and carbon capture and utilization. Applications can be submitted until 2:00 PM on Friday, January 16, 2026. The program focuses on research that directly contributes…

Climate Summit Built Environment wants to move from plans to practice

Bio raw materials, Sustainability

The Climate Summit for the Built Environment will convene at the Jaarbeurs Utrecht on November 5th and 6th. The organizers are expecting a large group of participants from government, construction, and energy. The goal is to accelerate progress, with agreements that extend to the construction site. The summit was established in 2024 out of impatience with the slow implementation. The first edition generated dozens of...

Student houses made of elephant grass in Breda show what biobased construction can mean

Bio raw materials, Biomass, Sustainability

Breda is experimenting with a new building method, using biobased materials like elephant grass for student housing. The project, a collaboration between Urban Living Lab Breda, ROOTZ, and the municipality, aims to demonstrate how plant-based building materials perform in practice. Pilot project with biobased student housing. The construction of the student housing is part of...

Tata Steel and government's letter of intent sets course for cleaner steel production

Bio raw materials, Sustainability, Energy transition

The State, the province of North Holland, Tata Steel Nederland, and Tata Steel Limited have signed a joint declaration of intent for the transition in IJmuiden. The document is an interim step towards a binding, customized agreement and sets targets for emissions, health, and finances. According to the documents, the total investment is between four and six and…

Rabobank and BPD boost biobased construction and more efficient water use

Bio raw materials, Sustainability

The urgency to increase housing construction while simultaneously reducing the environmental footprint demands concrete action. In this context, Rabobank and area developer BPD are announcing a strategic partnership. By covering the additional costs of biobased and water-saving technologies in thousands of new-build homes, with an investment of over one hundred million euros over the next four years,…