Koppert Makes The Use Of Raw Materials More Sustainable With Kaumera

Koppert signs cooperation agreement with Royal HaskoningDHV and ChainCraft

Koppert Biological Systems has signed an agreement with Royal HaskoningDHV and ChainCraft to use Kaumera as a biostimulant. Kaumera is a new, biological raw material extracted from wastewater using a sustainable purification technique. In creating value from wastewater, the three parties are taking an important step towards the circular economy.

“Wastewater is available worldwide and much of it still contains valuable components – making it a perpetual source of raw materials. In the 'Nereda' process, granules are formed and the wastewater can be treated faster, better and more sustainably." says René Noppeney, Global Director Water Technology Products at Royal HaskoningDHV.

New raw material from wastewater
The sludge granules formed as part of the Nereda purification process contain a new biobased raw material: Kaumera. This natural biopolymer can be used for various applications, including as a biostimulant for agriculture and horticulture. An additional advantage of the recovery of Kaumera is that it reduces the amount of sludge remaining. “This can be a reduction of up to 30%, which results in significant savings for the water authorities processing the sludge,” says Noppeney.

The research and development for the extraction of Kaumera from wastewater takes place within the National Kaumera Development Program (NKOP). The program is a collaboration between the Dutch Water Authorties Vallei en Veluwe and Rijn en IJssel, the Dutch Foundation for Applied Water Management Research STOWA, Royal HaskoningDHV and the Delft University of Technology.

Biotechnology company ChainCraft is also affiliated with the program, investigating different applications of Kaumera and bringing them to market. “We saw a lot of potential for the use of Kaumera as a more sustainable ingredient for the agri sector. With Koppert’s commitment to sustainable solutions for the sector they were the ideal partner for us” says Niels van Stralen, Director of ChainCraft.

Koppert has been trialing Kaumera for two years. Harald Mikkelsen, research initiator at the company, is involved in the project: “Kaumera appears to be a good and sustainable replacement for the seaweed we use as raw materials in a number of our products. In addition, Kaumera contributes to a good release of the agri-products which stimulates growth and soil life. In short: Kaumera definitely has added value.”

Henri Oosthoek, CEO of Koppert, underlines this. “Kaumera helps us to make our selection of raw materials more sustainable and to take steps towards circular working. The product is made from wastewater; you can’t get much more cradle-to-cradle! It fits in seamlessly with Koppert's pioneering mentality: we continuously innovate to stay ahead of the game.”

Big ambitions
“Currently, this raw material is only produced in the Netherlands, but our ambition is to recover Kaumera from wastewater worldwide. There are now Nereda wastewater treatment plants in more than 20 countries and Koppert is also active around the globe so we are excited about working together to make the world a little better.” concludes van Stralen.

About Koppert Biological Systems
Koppert Biological Systems produces sustainable cultivation solutions for food crops and ornamental plants. Together with growers and in partnership with nature, we work to make agriculture and horticulture healthier, safer, more productive and resilient. We achieve this by using natural enemies to combat pest infestations, bumblebees for natural pollination, and biostimulants that support and fortify crops both above and below the ground. Restoring and protecting vital ecosystems in a natural way is the basis for healthy crops and a well-balanced environment. Add our quality know-how and consultancy services to this, and you will understand why an increasing number of growers regard us as a partner with whom they can achieve their ambitions. For more information, visit https://www.koppert.com/global/

About Royal HaskoningDHV
Royal HaskoningDHV is an independent company delivering engineering, consultancy and project management services since 1881. We have almost 6,000 professionals operating from across the world who are eager to innovate and co-create with clients and partners to have a positive impact on people, our living environment and the economy. More and more we connect the digital with the physical world. Together with clients and partners, we use data and algorithms to solve new challenges and prevent problems. We help our clients in their digital transformation and we support their business with better and faster execution of their ambitions. Enhancing society together! For more information, visit www.royalhaskoningdhv.com

About Chaincraft
Chaincraft proves chemistry can be local, sustainable and circular. Our patented natural fermentation and purification processes use organic waste (water) streams as building block for a growing number of biochemicals. This way, we help agri-food and material industries move away from the use of fossil and palm oil. ChainCraft’s circular alternatives offer the same quality, yet with a 2 to 5 times smaller carbon footprint. For more information, visit www.chaincraft.com.

About Kaumera
The recovery of Kaumera from residual and wastewater takes place within the National Kaumera Development Programme (NKOP). In this programme, the Vallei en Veluwe Water Board, the Rijn en IJssel Water Board, the Foundation for Applied Water Research (STOWA), engineering firm Royal HaskoningDHV and TU Delft work closely together. Since 2017, biotechnology company Chaincraft has been connected for closing the loop, namely making Kaumera applicable and bringing it to the market. For more information, visit www.kaumera.com

The development of Kaumera has been made possible in part by the LIFE programme of the EU, the Province of Gelderland and the Netherlands Enterprise Agency.