Thermocatalytic reforming makes most of biomass
The German start-up Susteen Technologies GmbH will come to the Netherlands with its thermocatalytic reforming process (TCR®), an improved pyrolysis technology. Its customers will locally transform various kinds of biomass into synthesis gas, charcoal and oil of diesel quality, to be used as a fuel or for further processing. This will enable them to use
Sustainable construction is organising horizontally
Sustainable construction requires a team, says Daan Bruggink. These ‘construction teams’ (project partnering) are not a new concept, but they are still used far too little. You need each other’s knowledge. The designer is not responsible for the construction and shouldn’t want to be responsible; but the contractor shouldn’t be the only one responsible, because
Biobased materials and chemicals driven by performance
In the past, biobased materials and chemicals earned scepticism. But the next generation offers high value in specialty chemicals, biopolymers and advanced materials. A clear value proposition when compared with their petro-based counterparts, says Lux Research; but smart business execution is critical to eventual success. Last week, Lux Research, a Boston-based technology consultancy firm, published
Daan Bruggink: building naturally with ORGA
Daan Bruggink is one of the standard bearers of sustainable architecture in the Netherlands. If anything, he insists on building based on nature: ‘We at ORGA Architects first consider natural forms,’ he says. ‘Second, we consider natural techniques such as biomimetics and biomimicry. To give an example, the skin of a polar bear is black
A rich harvest on genetic technology
Within one month, three reports about genetic technology in crops. And on top of that, a trend analysis for the entire biotechnology, one month before. All four of them downloadable and very readable. I will shortly review them here. Genetic technology debate Released May 2016, just under 40 pages, colourful, informative for a broad audience,
Vertical farming
Vertical farming is making headway into modern cities. Fresh produce being a unique selling point for vegetables, we will see more production units coming close to the customer. Vertical production units to be sure, often in old buildings and LED lighted, as space in cities is limited. Several concepts are in development, we expect them
