Two new projects strengthen the transition to circular, biobased materials

CIRPOLE 

CIRPOLE will develop next-generation polyester resins for coatings and paints using levulinic acid derived from renewable biomass. The project uses a safe-and-circular-by-design approach, creating biobased resins that can be chemically or biologically broken down at the end of their life. This enables recovery and reuse of valuable building blocks, reducing both CO₂ emissions and dependence on fossil feedstocks. Wageningen Food & Biobased Research will lead the development of novel biobased monomers and polyester resins and demonstrate their circularity in collaboration with industrial partners.

SOLDD

SOLDD focuses on developing catalytic technologies to convert biomass-derived levulinic acid and furfural into high-value chemical building blocks for polyesters and polyamides. By creating robust, scalable production routes, the project aims to strengthen European feedstock independence while enabling lower-carbon materials for industrial applications. Wageningen Food & Biobased Research will contribute its expertise in biobased chemistry, process development and scale-up to help bring these technologies to TRL 5.

Together, these projects demonstrate how collaboration across the value chain can accelerate the development of circular, biobased materials and strengthen the Dutch innovation ecosystem. They also complement earlier investments made possible through the BBC. Thanks to a previously awarded grant, Wageningen Food & Biobased Research is currently renovating and expanding its Biobased Products Innovation Plant. Once completed in 2027, the upgraded facilities will be open to Dutch businesses (particularly SMEs) providing accessible pilot and research infrastructure to help accelerate the development and scale-up of biobased innovations.