The circular bioeconomy in Europe is bigger than we think, says Alain Dufait, managing director of Cargill Starches & Sweeteners. 'Referring to the Calimero effect is therefore misplaced. However, innovations only come to life if they are connected to consumer needs.'

The northern region of the Netherlands is the region where green chemistry is most clearly anchored in society. This region sees agrarian cooperations, knowledge institutes, chemical manufacturers, energy companies and the government working together in a unique way to make the chemical industry more sustainable and also to promote economic development. This is the area of Chemport Europe.

North Netherlands truly excels at green chemistry. The foundation of this is formed by an extensive ecosystem in which the knowledge institutes are making great strides. “We are not only training the professionals of the future, we are actively giving meaning to the biobased economy and the energy transition.”