OP oost Project
Building on nature
Activities
1. Scaling up the G2 technology;
The G2 technology is a technology patented by CELLiCON to make nanocelluloses.
2. Making the nanocelluloses suitable for different applications;
E.g. for foam, glue, white dyes, fibers and paper as well as adjustments in equipment that are necessary for processing.
3. Market introduction;
use of nanocelluloses in existing and new products
Project Partners
Innograaf
HCA
Holland Colours N.V., Apeldoorn (Gld)
General description of organisation, expertise and track record
Holland Colors N.V. is a company located in Apeldoorn, categorized as an enterprise with 140 FTE staff (in the Netherlands) and a turnover of € 101.5 million in 2019. Holland Colors or 'Holland Colours' develops, produces and commercializes liquid and solid dyes, masterbatches and additives for coloring rigid and flexible PVC for the building and construction industry, as well as PET and polyolefins for the packaging industry. Holland Colors' technical experts are constantly creating technologically new color solutions. Customers benefit from this due to the possibilities of precise color matching and color consistency it offers.
Holland Colors is a Dutch company, based in Apeldoorn and listed on the Euronext Amsterdam Stock Exchange. The company has two committed shareholders and also conducts business activities in the Americas, Europe and Asia. Therefor, the personal, local service, for which the company is known for, can still be delivered on a global scale.
Reason and importance of participation
Holland Colors N.V. will test and validate the processing / application of bio-based raw materials (including CNC) as a replacement for titanium dioxide in the project. This can lead to pigment products that are qualitatively (functionally) better, more environmentally friendly and that have a lower cost price.
Role and responsibility in the project
The responsibility of Holland Colors N.V. focuses on the development and application of bio-based raw materials as a replacement for titanium dioxide. The results will partly guide the production process for CNC to be developed by CELLiCON.
Location activities
Testing and analysis takes place primarily at our own location in Apeldoorn or will be outsourced to external, certified laboratories.
PaperFoam
PaperFoam B.V., Barneveld (Gld)
General description of organisation, expertise and track record
PaperFoam is a large company based in Barneveld with 104 FTEs of staff (in the Netherlands) and a turnover of € 21.5 million in 2019. PaperFoam is a global developer and supplier of high-quality sustainable packaging solutions: on an annual basis PaperFoam produces 3,000 tons of which 88% consists of biobased material.
The proprietary packaging material combines distinctive aesthetics with high-quality functionality and minimal impact on the environment.
The head office of PaperFoam B.V. is located in the Netherlands. The organization has production facilities in Asia, North America and Europe. Sales offices are located all over the world.
PaperFoam is currently active in the high-quality, relatively light packaging industry.
Renowned companies in various industries, such as consumer electronics, medical, dry-food and cosmetics, choose PaperFoam as their preferred packaging material. This is because the PaperFoam solutions have specific features that offer a multitude of benefits such as:
Low ecological footprint;
Recyclable Paper;
Biodegradable;
Compostable;
Customizable design;
Manufacture based on injection molding process (therefore a perfect fit);
Products have friction fit and clamping functions;
Embossing and debossing options (for logos, texts);
Available in unlimited color gamut;
Lightweight in nature.
Reason and importance of participation
PaperFoam B.V. will test and validate the processing / application of CNC and other bio-based raw materials in its foam related products in the project. This leads to products that are qualitatively (functionally) better and more environmentally friendly and that have a lower cost price. This allows PaperFoam to expand its market to both the heavier (packaging laptops, microwaves, etc.) and the cheaper packaging segment.
Role and responsibility in the project
The responsibility of PaperFoam B.V. focuses solely on the development and application of bio-based materials as raw materials for short and long fibers and as a replacement for titanium dioxide in foam-related products. The results will partly guide the production technology to be developed by Cellicon with a view to the option of nanocellulose.
Location activities
Testing and analysis takes place primarily at Barneveld’s own location or in the lab facilities of one of the other participants.
Thermoware Particle Foam Machinery
Thermoware Particle Foam Machinery B.V., Barneveld (Gld)
General description of organisation, expertise and track record
Thermoware Particle Foam Machinery is an SME, founded in 1981, 20 FTE and a turnover of € 10 million in 2019. Since then, Thermoware has grown into the world's leading developer and manufacturer of complete production lines for thin-walled foam products. Smart innovation, the durability of machines and molds, as well as excellent customer service are the key factors to become and remain successful in this industry.
Thermoware’s core activity is designing, producing, assembling and testing ultramodern machines for producing thin-walled foam packaging. Within Thermoware, a team of a total of 30 dedicated professionals is active in disciplines such as engineering, construction, advice, training and customer service.
Thermoware’s office, as well as production and testing facilities, are located in Barneveld (Netherlands). Molds, as well as all important other production components, are produced in-house.
Reason and importance of participation
In the project, Thermoware will test and validate the processing / application of bio-based raw materials in foams (foam-related packaging products and technical parts). The effect of applying these substitutes on the production method of these foams is also being investigated. This should lead to a production method for products that are qualitatively (functionally) better. The method must also lead to products that are more environmentally friendly and have a lower cost price.
Role and responsibility in the project
Thermoware’s responsibility focuses solely on the development and application of bio-based materials in foam-related products and on the consequences for the production method of these products in its production process.
Location activities
Testing and analysis takes place primarily at Barneveld’s own location or in the lab facilities of one of the other participants.
WFBR
WFBR, Wageningen (Gld)
General description of organisation, expertise and track record
Wageningen University & Research (WUR) provides education and generates knowledge in the field of healthy food and living environment. 'Exploring the potential of nature to improve the quality of life', that is WUR's mission. With a staff of 6,500 people and 10,000 students from more than 100 countries, WUR works all over the world on developments in the field of healthy food and living environment for governments and businesses.
WUR’s strength lies in combining the forces of specialized research institutes and the university. Its strength, moreover, lies in the combined efforts made within the different fields of the natural and social sciences. This pooling of expertise leads to scientific breakthroughs that can be quickly put into practice and integrated into education. This is characteristic of the ‘Wageningen approach’. The scientific quality of WUR is confirmed by the prominent position that WUR occupies in international rankings and citation indices.
Wageningen Food & Biobased Research (WFBR), one of the research institutes within WUR, will carry out the activities within this project. This technological research institute focuses specifically on the development of new applications in the fields of Food, Fresh Chains and Biobased Products.
Reason and importance of participation
In this project, WFBR will be given the opportunity to increase knowledge and insights with regard to the production and applicability of bio-based materials in foam products, but at the same time to help the business community to make this knowledge and insights practically applicable (valorisation). This therefore contributes to one’s own insights that can then be taught as well as to ‘a healthier and more sustainable living environment’.
Role and responsibility in the project
The role of WFBR in the project is quite multidisciplinary. Considering the already available knowledge at WFBR, an important part will be played in determining the applicability of the nanocellulose in specific applications, including foam products.
Location activities
Both the desk research and the testing and analysis are carried out within our own (lab) facilities located in Wageningen.
VHP
VHP Security Paper, Ugchelen (Gld)
General description of organisation, expertise and track record
VHP Security Paper B.V. (VHPSP) is an enterprise loacted in Ugchelen with a turnover of € 29.7 million in 2019. VHP Security Paper B.V. is a leading international developer and producer of security paper. VHP Security Paper B.V. is part of Oberthur Fiduciaire, a world leader in security printing. 170 FTEs of highly qualified employees are engaged 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and 48 weeks a year in the development and production of a comprehensive range of substrates mainly related to paper money production for various denominations and circulation conditions.
With over two centuries of experience and expertise in banknote production, VHPSP plays a key role in developing highly durable solutions to meet customer requests for, among others, extending the lifespan of banknotes.
Reason and importance of participation
In the project, VHPSP will investigate the processing / application of bio-based raw materials, including CNC as a security feature and as a powerful additive for use in security paper. This is partly due to being able to achieve a longer lifespan for security paper such as banknotes, which can be achieved by means of the naturally strong CNC. Synchronous research into other bio-based raw materials also contributes to making the end product more sustainable.
Role and responsibility in the project
The responsibility of VHPSP focuses on the development and application of bio-based raw materials (CNC) as a security feature and as a powerful and sustainable additive for use in security paper. The results will partly guide the production technology to be developed by Cellicon.
Location activities
Testing and analysis takes place primarily at our own location in Ugchelen or in the lab facilities of one of the other participants.
Innograaf
Innograaf BV, Wijchen (Gld)
General description of organisation, expertise and track record
Innographer BV is an SME, founded in 2019. Innographer is the management consultancy from which DGA Jan Noordegraaf is the sole employee of this BV, using His specific knowledge and experience background has carried out consultancy work for various clients. Innographer BV advises on chain collaboration & application of sustainable processes & materials. Examples of projects and activities that Inngraaf is involved in are:
- Help companies transition from single-use EPS to other materials;
- Consultancy in changing the production of fossil-based polymers to polymers based on bio-based products;
- Advising on achieving CO₂ neutrality PAS2060 for products;
- Assist/support in EAD/ETA certification for new materials not yet available on the EU market;
- Answering difficult technical questions about EPS, PLA and biobased polymers;
- Mapping the EU legislative landscape for the recycling of specialty foamed polymers.
Reason and importance of participation
Considering the size of the project, the proportion of participants and the complexity, it is important that project progress is monitored. Innographer B.V. has the knowledge and skills to implement this.
Role and responsibility in the project
Innographer will fulfill an important connecting role between the project partners and will also advise on process technology with regard to scaling up the G2 process.
Location activities
Considering Innographer B.V.’s activities, it is obvious that communication with the various participants arising from their role are currently maintained remotely in Wijchen (inherent to the corona pandemic). As soon as the space for ‘physically close attunement’ increases, this will most likely take place on location at the participants.