𝐋𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦 𝐁𝐢𝐨𝐛𝐚𝐬𝐞𝐝 𝐄𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐨𝐦𝐲 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐲 𝐭𝐨 𝐬𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐟𝐮𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐛𝐢𝐨𝐛𝐚𝐬𝐞𝐝 𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐨𝐦𝐲

The day started with a 𝐤𝐞𝐲𝐧𝐨𝐭𝐞 ‘State of Transition’ by Martijn Zieverink. Martijn applied the Multi-Level Perspective (MLP) theory to the biobased economy highlighting niches (universities, start-ups, SMEs), incumbents (established organizations and industries), and the landscape (long-term trends like climate change and demographics). Martijn emphasized that successful sustainability transitions require understanding of incumbent behaviour, supporting niche experimentation, and identifying opportunities for Universities of Applied Science to contribute beyond the niche level, showing that technology alone is not enough.

The 𝐩𝐚𝐧𝐞𝐥 𝐝𝐢𝐬𝐜𝐮𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧, led by Kars Mennens, with Martijn Zieverink (Professor Biobased Transitions, MNEXT/Avans), Janneke Krooneman (Professor Bioconversion & Fermentation Technology, Hanze), and Christof Francke (Professor Biobased Innovations, HAN), and  reflected on the challenges that we are facing in the transition towards a biobased circular economy such as structural obstacles in agriculture, inefficient use of biomass, regulatory barriers, and societal perceptions of sustainability, while emphasizing the importance of creating shared visions and fostering collaboration across sectors, and the need to include students and young professionals.
The lectorenplatform can play an important role by stimulating strong collaboration between researchers, companies, and practitioners and continue to ask what society and the market need, and how innovations can deliver meaningful impact.

In the afternoon researchers from lectoraten got the podium to present and discuss their 𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐡 𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐬. Either through poster presentations or in parallel sessions on Fermentation, Life Cycle Analysis (LCA), Biobased Transitions, and Green Chemistry. The sessions explored the different aspects needed to advance towards a circular biobased economy. This time still in separate sessions, maybe next year completely integrated.

We would like to thank all speakers and participants. See you next year at out next symposium or hopefully sooner at one of our other activities, such as our online theme sessions. Interested? Have a look at this webinar on Lignin

About the Lectorenplatform Biobased Economy

Read all about the platform: Index – Lectorenplatform Biobased Economy