News
30 June 2025
How to design education that works for the biobased economy, in any context
What happens when you don’t start educational development with course materials, but with the question: what is truly needed? That idea marked the starting point of BioGov.net, a European project launched three years ago and now successfully completed. Funded by Horizon Europe, the project aimed to accelerate the transition to a biobased economy. Eight partners from eight different countries explored how to shape regional networks, policies, and education in ways that empower people to actively contribute to the biobased transition.
23 June 2025
From cashew nut to circular plastic
Biobased material design recently took center stage during the Biobased Materials and Design webinar, hosted by Ghent University. Representing MNEXT and Avans University of Applied Sciences, researcher Rima Mahmoud presented the Totally Nuts project — a biobased innovation that transforms cashew nut shell waste into recyclable epoxy resins and composites. Her talk highlighted how agricultural residues can serve as a sustainable raw material for high-performance plastics.
17 June 2025
Future Rethinkers putting the transition into action
Dozens of students and interns recently shared their research during the Future Rethinkers Poster Challenge, a regular feature of the Future Rethinkers Conference. This edition marked a new milestone with the highest number of participants to date. In two presentation rounds, they engaged with visitors, researchers, and industry professionals to discuss their contributions to the materials- and energy transition.
3 June 2025
Young Energy Leader Award 2025
19 May 2025
Natural origins, sustainable end?
Something seemingly simple is happening at Living Greenlab in Den Bosch — yet it could hold big implications for sustainable construction. Paula Jerez Zarandona and Fran Ortega Exposito, researchers working on the MycEoLA project, have buried samples of mycelium biocomposites in soil — these sustainable building materials are visible to passersby through a glass panel. Their goal? To answer a surprisingly underexplored questions: is mycelium really biodegradable in natural soil conditions, and what impact does it have on soil health?
15 May 2025
Diederik Samsom trapt Future Rethinkers Congres 2025 af
On June 12, 2025, MNEXT will open the doors of OpenX in Breda for the annual Future Rethinkers Congress, dedicated entirely to the theme of “Transition in Action.” This event brings together professionals, students, researchers, and companies to demonstrate that the materials and energy transition is already well underway and, more importantly, that it can be done.
24 April 2025
Project WheyNot explores high-value applications for whey waste
In een innovatieve stap richting circulaire zuivelproductie onderzoekt het project "WheyNot" hoe wei-permeaat, een restproduct van melkverwerking, kan worden opgewaardeerd tot waardevolle grondstof voor de chemische industrie.
17 April 2025