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Never before has so much renewable energy been generated as in 2023. And never before has the task of continuing to accelerate been so significant - we are in the midst of the energy transition. To achieve a CO2-neutral energy supply by 2050, and stabilize atmospheric CO2 concentrations at a 350 ppm level, 30 TW of renewable energy will be needed worldwide. This is roughly equivalent to the output of 30,000 average power plants, each with a capacity of 1 GW. With the new MNEXT professorship in Renewable Energy Carriers, Professor Saleh Mohammadi will conduct research in the coming years on Renewable Energy Carriers through which all this sustainably generated energy is stored, transported, and delivered to the end-users.

MNEXT, Avans, Curio, and their project partners have come together to launch a new research initiative in early 2024: 'Green EGCh – Green Energy Raw Materials & Chemistry'. This initiative is dedicated to developing practical tools for the transition to green chemistry. The project will include the creation of a campus outfitted with advanced equipment tailored for green chemistry, providing a space for everyone to conduct research, work, study, and gain hands-on experience. A Learning Community is also being established to facilitate the exchange of knowledge about green chemistry among stakeholders in the West Brabant region. The project involves crafting a strategic research agenda that aligns vocational schools, universities of applied sciences, and the broader community. Furthermore, a versatile educational offering is being prepared, targeting not only students and working professionals but also individuals looking to change careers.

Biobased Transitions... an Uphill Battle?! Dat was het thema van de lectorale rede van Martijn Zieverink op 5 april in Breda. In zijn inaugurele speech gaf hij uitleg over de bijdrage die zijn lectoraat ‘Biobased Transities’ gaat leveren aan het bestrijden van de oorzaken van klimaatverandering. Tijdens deze middag kreeg Martijn zijn gepersonaliseerde lectorale keten uitgerekt door Jacomine Ravensbergen, lid en waarnemend voorzitter van het College van Bestuur van Avans Hogeschool.

Urbanization is a significant cause of climate change, biodiversity loss, and greenhouse gas emissions. Nature-inclusive area development can counteract this, but it is still taking place on too small a scale to have a real impact. Over the past two years, MNEXT, in collaboration with other universities of applied sciences and stakeholders, has conducted research on principles to accelerate this transition. The main results have been neatly compiled in a whitepaper: Nature-Inclusive Principles.

The "MycEoLA" project originated from a question in the field: "What can we do with mycelium biocomposites after their use?" Over the next 2 years, this project is jointly conducted by the MNEXT Biobased Building professorship. It focuses on investigating end-of-life scenarios suitable for mycelium biocomposites, with the ultimate goal of achieving circularity and reducing waste.

In March, the 2nd edition of the four-day Biobased Battle took place. 142 students from 7 different universities of applied sciences from the Netherlands and Finland collaborated in multidisciplinary teams to tackle sustainability issues faced by companies. The goal? To present the best practical biobased solutions!

The Netherlands annually produces approximately 1.5 megatons of onions, or 1,500,000 kilograms (Holland Onion Association, 2020), making it the world leader in onion exports. In the processing of these onions, a residual stream of approximately 30 kilotons, 30,000 kilograms, of sorted-out onions, trimmings, and peels is generated each year. Currently, these byproducts are underutilized in low-value applications. The project Mild Extraction of Essential Oils and Fats from Onion Residual Streams by MNEXT and Biorefinery investigates the possibilities of valorizing these residual streams into high-value applications.

Imagine a colorful world where beauty goes hand in hand with sustainability. The colorant market is expected to reach a staggering €86.76 billion globally by 2030. However, let's be honest, conventional synthetic colors not only bring color but also pose risks to the environment and our health. This is where the new project "Turn FUnghi potentials into a COLorful future (TUFUCOL)" comes into play.

In 2050, the Netherlands must be entirely circular. "If we want to achieve that goal, we must compel the petrochemical industry to engage with it," says Martijn Zieverink, lecturer in Biobased Transitions. "We can't rely solely on innovative, young companies to accomplish it."

A plastic that is completely biodegradable? We are talking about PHA, or polyhydroxyalkenoate. In recent years, significant research has been conducted on this innovative bioplastic that can be obtained from industrial wastewater. Think of the residual streams of a brewery or a potato manufacturer. These projects have already led to significant progress in PHA production, including successful pilot-scale tests and the establishment of a demonstration plant in Dordrecht.

The minor Circular Structural Design (CCO) of the Academy for Sustainable Built Environment (ADGO) at Avans University of Applied Sciences is an in-depth minor in the field of construction and a great example of the link between education and research at MNEXT.

Collaboration yields the most success when it is sustainable, with partners that can be relied upon. This is why MNEXT, the Center of Expertise for materials and energy transition, and Looop, an expert in valorizing waste streams, have agreed to a strategic partnership. What does this mean in practice?