The Netherlands – The Dutch Province of Groningen is granting Cosun Beet Company a three million euro subsidy for the construction of a biorefinery in Delfzijl. In this factory Cosun will convert beet pulp into new raw materials The factory will be fully electric and is estimated to create more than forty jobs. Cosun Beet Company’s final investment decision will be made later this year.
Cosun has more than 100 years of experience in growing sugar beet and the related production of sugar. The biorefinery will add an innovative link to the sugar beet chain by producing green, bio-based alternatives to raw materials from beet pulp. For example, replacements for microplastics in paint, detergents, toothpaste, shampoo and make-up. The total investment is estimated at fifty million euros. Cosun Beet Company is working closely with various knowledge institutions that are active in biobased innovations.
Sustainable products
CEO Paul Mesters sees the arrival of the factory as the crowning glory of much research work. ‘For the past ten years we have been investing heavily in innovation with our company, including in the field of bio-refining sugar beet pulp.’ Groningen deputy leader IJzebrand Rijzebol is also very positive about this project. It shows where we want our economy to go: the production of high-quality and sustainable raw materials from residual flows. These can be used to replace polluting substances in products that we use every day. This will not only create employment, but will also ensure a better earnings model in the agricultural industry and sustainable products for consumers.’
Glycols
It is not the only development that Cosun is starting in Delfzijl. Earlier this year, Avantium and Cosun announced the construction of a factory to develop vegetable glycols, a raw material to green packaging and polyester textiles.
