Cases

To study the materials transition, the program focuses on two domains; building materials, and textiles. The selection of these two domains was based on several strategic considerations.

After plastics, fibers are the second largest group of materials made from fossil feedstocks. Since plastics are a large and diverse product group, fibers were assessed to be a more viable case to study. WUR is active in research on plastics as well as fibers and, to a certain extent, there is an overlap between these two. Thus, some insights can be used in research projects on plastics as well.

The building sector is one of 5 areas for which the Dutch government has formulated transition agendas to achieve a circular economy by 2050. Research on building materials might not appear as a natural selection for WUR. However, WUR’s unique position as a life science university and research hub allows it to perform research on building materials that are not covered by other institutes.

While some options to facilitate the materials transition are already well developed, others are still in their infancy. To also support promising innovations that need fundamental research, one program part is fully dedicated to these options.

Thus, the investment theme investigates tangible cases in three different areas. These areas showcase the materials transition. Therefore, they are called flagships. Below, our three flagships (textiles, building materials, and fundamental research) can be explored in more detail.

Click on the images below to find out more about the individual flagships.