Biorefining is the way to get maximum value out of biobased raw materials and to close the business case for biobased production. The technology has the potential to make a major contribution to CO2 reduction, as was recently revealed in the CO2 roadmap of Circular Biobased Delta (CBBD). A CBBD network meeting on 6 July will focus on this and will also discuss concrete projects from the Delta region.

Many of the current successful projects in the biobased economy were once started by students. Think of DAB, Chaincraft or Vertoro. To be able to grow from the lab phase to a pilot plant, demonstration plant and eventually to a real commercial operation, cooperation is necessary: with knowledge partners and companies in the supply chain, specialists in the field of, for example, permits and subsidies, but also with investors. This was one of the topics during the June members meeting (BUM meeting) of the Dutch Platform Bio-economie.

The Andean lupin contains more protein than soya and more oil than sunflower. It can be used to make animal feed, but also food, dyes, cosmetics, hair products, foams and insecticides. The residual flows are good for biogas production. All in all, it is a promising plant, as became clear during the online closing conference of LIBBIO, organised by the Research Centre Biobased Economy of the Hanze University of Applied Sciences in Groningen.