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Dutch BioBTX, Technical University Eindhoven and Groningen University have received a €2.8 million grant from the Just Transition Fund (JTF) with the help of ASQA Subsidies.
Editorial office / Groningen

The money was awarded for the implementation and execution of the project “Production of Renewable and Biobased BTX and Other Sustainable Chemicals from Combined Organic and Circular Inputs.” This grant will be used to develop the next phase of BioBTX technology, in which mixtures of biomass and plastic waste will be converted into valuable chemicals.

The JTF recognizes the potential of BioBTX to stimulate innovation in sustainable practices and thereby contribute to Europe’s transition to a climate-neutral future.

Contribution to a green future

The primary focus of the project is to further develop the BioBTX technology that efficiently converts biomass and mixed plastic waste into valuable materials, including the basic chemicals Butene, Toluene and Xylene. In this way, BioBTX aims to contribute to a greener future, reduce waste and stimulate economic growth in the Groningen region and beyond. To this end, the company collaborates with the research groups of Professor Erik Heeres of the University of Groningen, Professor Hans Kuipers and dr.ir. Kay Buist of Eindhoven University of Technology. The intention is to take the next steps in developing and improving the BioBTX ICCP (Integrated Cascading Catalytic Pyrolysis) technology, both operationally and fundamentally.

“We are very pleased to be one of the first recipients of the Just Transition Fund grant, which is an important milestone in our mission to develop state-of-the-art technology for renewable chemicals,” said Cor Kamminga, CEO of BioBTX. “This allows us to actively contribute to the circular economy and make progress in reducing waste while creating sustainable jobs.”

Just Transition Fund

The JTF, the “Fund for a Just Energy Transition,” is a European fund for areas hardest hit by the transition to a green economy. With it, the European Union aims to reduce socioeconomic inequality. The JTF stems from the European Green Deal, the program for a climate-neutral Europe in 2050. To achieve this transition in the Northern Netherlands, 330 million euros have been pledged until 2027. This and next year (2024) several subsidy schemes will be opened.

The JTF has been worked out in the Northern Netherlands by the provinces of Groningen, Drenthe and Friesland, the municipality of Emmen and the Labor Market Table North Netherlands (a public cooperation between the three Northern Labor Market Regions – these are the municipality and UWV – and the three northern provinces). Samenwerkingsverband Noord-Nederland (SNN) implements the JTF grants.

For more information, visit the websites vam BioBTX and ASQA Subsidies.

Image: the BioBTX pilot plant in ZAP Groningen/BioBTX