Collaboration is the backbone of bioeconomy. South African and Dutch universities, research institutes, and businesses joined forces to work together on projects ranging from sustainable cropping systems to student-designed farm business plans. These partnerships strengthen innovation while ensuring solutions are scalable and practical.
CEO Tom Van Aken and Her Majesty Queen Maxima. Source: Avantium
Avantium N.V., a Dutch company focused on renewable and circular polymer materials, successfully started up the sugar dehydration (SDH) unit and all auxiliary systems and utilities at its FDCA Flagship Plant in Delfzijl. This achievement marks a key technical achievement in the phased commissioning and start-up of the world’s first commercial facility dedicated to the production of FDCA (furandicarboxylic acid), a key building block for the 100% plant-based and recyclable polymer PEF (polyethylene furanoate), branded as releaf®. Avantium now expects to begin commercial sales under its existing offtake agreements in the first quarter of 2026.
Rotterdam will be the center of gravity of the European Bioeconomy from 23 to 25 October. EFIB, the European Forum for Industrial Biotechnology and Bioeconomy, will be held in the Dutch city. The 2023 theme of ‘Industrial biotechnology for a sustainable and resilient global Europe’ reflects the historical strength of the Netherlands in global trade and its present position as one of the world’s biggest food exporters.
Rotterdam will be the center of gravity of the European Bioeconomy from 23 to 25 October. EFIB, the European Forum for Industrial Biotechnology and Bioeconomy, will be held in the Dutch city. The 2023 theme of ‘Industrial biotechnology for a sustainable and resilient global Europe’ reflects the historical strength of the Netherlands in global trade and its present position as one of the world’s biggest food exporters.
Marco Reus. Evonik is popular as main sponsor of German Football team Borussia Dortmund
Evonik has made a follow-up investment in the biotechnology start-up In Ovo through its venture capital unit. The investment comes as the young company reaches the commercialization stage for its technology and is bringing its gender-testing machine for eggs to the market. Together with co-investor VisVires New Protein Capital, Evonik Venture Capital has provided several million euros in further funding. Evonik Venture Capital first invested in the Leiden, Netherlands-based company in 2018, providing support for a technology that helps solve one of the egg industry’s biggest ethical problems.
Avantium last Thursday inaugurated its plant-based MEG (mono-ethylene glycol) demonstration factory in Chemie Park Delfzijl, the Netherlands, bringing industry yet another solution to reduce the reliance on fossil resources. The opening ceremonies was hosted by Nienke Homan, regional minister of the province of Groningen, the Netherlands and Avantium CEO Tom van Aken. Avantium additionally announced the naming of this innovative technology to produce plant-based MEG: Ray Technology – A Bright Step to The Future.
IL BIOECONOMISTA 