In the fourth in the series of meetings on energy management and greenhouse gas emission reduction, the South Region explicitly invited members of the specialist departments focused on chemistry, environment and society as well as external stakeholders and interested parties including members of the Academic Society nationwide. Of the external stakeholders, there were some participants from companies and provincial and national government, together with the members from the national specialist departments accounting for half of the attendance. Overall, there were 57 participants. A lively meeting in which the participants responded directly to the speakers, creating a dynamic interaction that was steered in the right direction by Bert Dekker, member of KIVI's energy steering committee.

Fixed part of the meetings is the presentation by Region South of the total energy consumption of the Netherlands in relation to the European CO2 emission requirements, now focused on the influence that Agriculture and Horticulture have on this. The sector already produces 15% of the Netherlands' electricity and has the potential to increase that share without using fossil fuels, to become energy-neutral and to contribute substantially to a biobased economy with substantial CO2 emission reductions. You can view or download the presentation of the Southern Region here.

Henk van Latesteijn was able to separate judgements and prejudices in the biobased economy in a fascinating way and to explain that the use of oil and coal in the last 150 years has had a huge impact on CO2 emissions, especially in the last 75 years. Before then, there was production with bio-based raw materials like wood, hemp, latex, palm oil or wool; now we can continue that line with the examples of modern materials and our current knowledge of chemistry. A clear account of the impact of bio feedstock and biofuel on food prices and food competition, he shows that there is ample room for responsible use of bio materials for products and energy.

After weighing up the balance of pollution and use of energy in production versus reduction of environmental burden in use, Henk concludes with a necessary system to obtain the intended effect of biobased economy. Linking all production processes in such a way that everything from feedstock holders (plants, animals) is used by division beforehand and recycling afterwards. In modular construction, all raw material is fully consumed in a closed system. The examples of companies and product chains form an introduction to the next speaker. Henk van Latesteijn's presentations can be viewed or downloaded here.

Reinier Grimbergen zoomed in from the production company. How DSM, stimulated in part by society and the market, increasingly focused on sustainable production. How the company focused on innovation towards sustainability in complex growth economies, looking for suitable partnerships and for modular cooperation in maximum raw material use. He goes through the chain from plant and animal as raw material in conversion steps to polymers and ultimately an immense range of products for marketing. Furthermore, Reinier goes deep into the development and production of biofuel, second-generation ethanol. Chemical development by DSM was one step. Successful marketing required an immediately present distribution network. That brought DSM to America's traditional biofuel producer/distributor, POET. Their bio-waste harvesting network and their fuel distribution network were combined with DSM's ethanol production process. You can view or download Reinier Grimbergen's presentations here.

After the break, Henk van Latesteijn picked up the thread with a talk in which he offered an alternative scenario for the possible drastic shrinkage of the Botlek area if demand and refining of fossil petrochemicals declines by 80% in line with European requirements. He outlined the function of the Botlek area apart from petrochemicals as a global hub for transit, processing and transhipment. With the north - sea transit along Siberia created by climatic development, Botlek is central for transit from the huge raw material production for feed/food from eastern South America to China. Obviously also transit from the world to the traditional hinterland Europe, for which the entire distribution apparatus and infrastructure is available. Moreover, the knowledge position in agriculture, horticulture and biochemistry is such that added value through breeding and processing into high-quality semi-finished products could become the alternative to petrochemicals.

Bert Dekker closed the line of speakers with a test of feasibility in the Netherlands. The political will in the Netherlands to take radical steps in a consistent course towards goals as outlined by Henk and Reinier were not yet heavily tied up in the energy agreement concluded in the Netherlands. Bert also provoked participants to react to examples in which initiatives by companies that stuck their necks out did not turn out very happily, with unintended consequences and criticism falling heavily on those companies. Enough reason for Bert to return to his role of moderator of the discussion, which focused both on the question of the role and possibilities of the biobased economy and on the conditions and regulations to be created to stimulate innovation and offer sufficient opportunity and certainty to the participants.

The programme we followed can of course be revisited on the activity page of 17 December 2013, you can see the page here.
This session was part of a seven-session programme on energy management and CO2 reduction. You can find information on the overall programme and the announcement of the four more meetings here.

This meeting was reason for many to indicate that they would also like to participate in the next session, on 22 February 2014. In that meeting, energy use and CO2 emissions of Industry in the Netherlands will be scrutinised. The programme and the possibility to register for this meeting can be found here.

Description

Are we overgrown by biofuel plantations or are we living comfortably with Biobased products from our agriculture and horticulture?
The Netherlands ranks 2nd in the world in exports of agricultural and horticultural products after the USA. The revenue of 75 billion contributes 10% to our gross national product. In addition, the sector generates energy with which it covers 15% of our electricity needs.
In the meeting, we place the energy use, CO2 and CH4 emissions of the sector and of the food industry in the overall overview for the Netherlands. From there, we look at what it will take and what it will cost to achieve the standards set in Europe for emission reduction from fossil fuels before 2050.
Naturally, we discuss how conversion of the sector to biofuel cultivation and production affects current contributions to the economy and whether biofuel can be deployed in such a way that it contributes substantially to coming within the standards.

To this end, the state of the sector and the food industry are reviewed. With an in-depth look through, we see how biobased chemistry opens the way to raw materials without fossil hydrocarbons, not only for foodstuffs. We also discuss how our transit position for Europe for oil and gas could be redefined with biobased trade if European standards are met and a huge reduction in fossil fuel use in Europe would result. A mega boost for agriculture and horticulture, the food industry and our participation in world trade.

For the right course, Dutch policy will have to give free rein to promising developments. As a test and conclusion, we mirror the findings of the meeting with the Dutch Energy Agreement.

1. Opening and explanation of the Energy and CO2 emission balance in the Netherlands
(drs. ing. Cor van den Bosch,chairman of KIVI NIRIA Region Zuid)

2. Biobased chemistry, raw materials without fossil hydrocarbons from Agriculture and Horticulture
(Dr. Henk van Latesteijn, managing partner of Value Mediation Parners, member of the council for the environment and infrastructure and board member of the International Food and Agribusiness Management Association)

3.DSM's biobased approach, in particular the development of the latest generation of bioethanol.
(Ir. Reinier Grimbergen, director Sustainable and Business Development,DSM)

(Break)

4. Biofuel or biotrade as a basis for a clean economy?
(Dr Henk van Latesteijn)

5. Agriculture & horticulture and food industry in the Dutch Energy Agreement
(Ir. Bert Dekker, member of the Council for Science, Technology and Society and member of KIVI NIRIA's Energy Steering Group)

6. Bio Borrel

Speaker(s)

- Drs. ing. Cor van den Bosch,chairman of KIVI NIRIA Region South
- Dr Henk van Latesteijn, managing partner of Value Mediation Parners, member of the council for the environment and infrastructure and board member of the International Food and Agribusiness Management Association.
- Ir Reinier Grimbergen, director Sustainable and Business Development, DSM.
- Dr Henk van Latesteijn
- Ir Bert Dekker, member of the Council for Science, Technology and Society and member of KIVINIRIA's Energy Steering Group

Location

The Academic Society, large hall

Parklaan 93, 5613 BC Eindhoven

Organiser

Southern Region

Name and contact details for information

Ir. Gijs Schoonewelle. t: 0032 36667787 e: gijsschoonewelle@hotmail.com drs. ing. Cor van den Bosch. t: 06 50638128 e: jocobowi@onsbrabantnet.nl

gijsschoonewelle@hotmail.com