The transition to a Biobased Economy is an important aspect of a sustainable society. Making the switch from an economy based on fossil fuels to one based on renewable resources required the development of new forms of cooperation, social decisiveness and applicable scientific innovations. In the book ‘Wageningen UR: hét centrum voor de Biobased Economy’ (Wageningen UR: the centre for the Biobased Economy), Wageningen-based experts discuss wide-ranging research aimed at creating an economy on the basis of green raw materials in a sustainable and economical manner through the smart use of vegetable matter. ‘If the book makes one thing clear, it is that work is underway on many fronts within Wageningen UR on facilitating the most efficient use possible of crops and the building blocks obtained from crops in order to make usable raw materials for use as food, animal feed, materials, chemicals, energy and fuel.’
Biobased research and education
Researchers are working on crops that can supply the desired raw materials for a Biobased Economy as well as on boosting the yields of these high-quality crops. Separation technologies are also being improved, as a result of which even more useable substances can be obtained from the vegetable matter. Moreover, research is being carried out into the smart design of logistical and refinery chains. Work is also underway on the end products: how can you give plastics precisely the properties that are necessary in the conditions in which the product is used? Naturally, during this biobased research Wageningen UR has also kept an eye on the preservation and use of biodiversity, as well as on the smart use of waste flows, water, fertilisers and agricultural land. The book demonstrates the great importance that Wageningen UR attaches to good-quality education - for the Biobased Economy, now and in the future.
The Wageningen UR employees mentioned in the book are just the front-line representatives of the many Wageningen UR employees working on the Biobased Economy. They would be delighted to make contact with you to look at ways in which they could help you to contribute to the Biobased Economy. Please do not hesitate to contact one of them if you recognise a match between your own organisation’s ideas and those of Wageningen and if you would like to work towards or cooperate with the development of a Biobased Economy.
Download the book (pdf)