Creating a Biobased Economy Due in part to its strong chemical
industry and logistical advantages, Holland is uniquely suited
to become a central biorefining hub in Europe. According to
Renee Bergkamp, director general of innovation at the country’s
Ministry of Economic Affairs-Agriculture and Innovation,
Holland’s chemistry sector created €48 billion ($69 billion) in
revenue during 2010. “The chemical industry represents nearly 20
percent of our exports,” she says. When coupled with the
logistical advantages of being home to Europe’s first and fourth
largest ports and the fact that both public and private entities
within the region are diligently working to create a biobased
economy, it is clear that the Netherlands offers an attractive
opportunity for biorefining companies looking to develop
projects in Europe. According to Bergkamp, the chemical and
biobased industries are already an important driver of research
and development activities within Netherlands. “This is
important because we want to be a knowl