Greentech 4-07.indd

N e w s l e t t e r
vol. 10, no. 4 - 2007 "the recent initiative of EU Commission to identify "lead markets for biobased products" has shown that there is a need for realistic surveys in the EU-markets for RRMs and RRM based products.
In the last edition of Green Tech letters 3/2007 the French Agency ADEME published the results of the ALCIMED survey on existing markets and future perspectives in France.
✔ International opportunities In the Green Tech letter 4/2007 ERRMA publishs the results of the for Bio-based products p.1 market survey in Germany, summarised by FNR in Germany.
In order to compare these both surveys on market perspectives the ✔ Market Analysis Renewable methodologies follow the same principles.
Resources - Which markets, It is our aim to motivate EU-Commission to broaden such a study resources and products are These surveys give first indication also for the governments how to adapt the political frame work to develop these markets.
✔ Roquette: New Industrial production of Isosorbide p.8 Dietrich Wittmeyer, general Secretary of ERRMA"
International opportunities for Bio-based
products.
The symposium "Bio-based Business: Crossing borders"
which was held on November 13 in Ede, The Netherlands
attractedmore than 60 delegates from mainly SME
companies. These companies were interested in
identifying opportunities abroad for new products based
on renewable raw materials and what support is available
to increase their chances on market success.
The meeting made clear that an international orientation could be very lucrative fo Dutch companies. Export of in particular SME companies is rapidly growing and has an even larger potential, according to a recent report of the EIM Business & Policy Research

➤ International
opportunities for
Analysis
Institute. Also the market expectations opportunities and market outlets abroad but for bio-based products in neighbouring also had the experience that it takes a lot countries like Germany France and the UK of energy enter such markets. In particular are very promising (see e.g. reports in this it appeared necessary to thoroughly study and the previous issue of the GreenTech market peculiarities as well as to gain a good newsletter). Speakers were convinced that understanding of different international in bio-based business an international corporate cultures of the target countries. focus is warranted for both raw materials Help from experienced colleagues or experts procurement and end-product marketing.
can accelerate this process tremendously.
Also Wijnand Schonewille of the Port of Help in international orientation can be Rotterdam illustrated the international manifold and can be obtained from several character of biomass transport logistics. With governmental, NGA, and commercial the Port of Rotterdam as Europe's largest sources. It could include opening up new harbour The Netherlands could play a pivotal markets and (company) networks, like role in biomass and bioproducts streams in India, where Maarten van Dongen of as well as in adding value to biomass raw Bioport Europe is active and available for materials by local processing.
assistance. Also financing of increased activities due to international ventures is During the symposium 4 entrepreneurs often a critical factor. One source of funding presented their experiences and best such activities was presented by Coenraad practices in becoming active in international de Vries of StartGreen: a venture capital markets. Many "do's and don't's" were fund that is ear-marked specifically for bio- presented by companies in the fields of based ventures and has a low entry barrier injection molding biopolymers (Poly-one due to governmental support through the and Hy-cail), bio-based industrial cleaning Technopartner programme. On behalf of agents (Eco-point), specialty chemicals the EVD (Dutch Agency for International and biofuels from algae (Ingrepro) and Business and Cooperation) Marieke Vossen agrofiber reinforced construction materials presented several instruments, such as (GreenGran). Each of the presenting providing market information from many entrepreneurs had identified many different countries and also by providing SME's easy participation in economic trade missions. Such trade missions, headed sometimes by royalty or ministers, can be of valuable help in opening doors that otherwise might have stayed shut. Also the EVD can help SME's financially with their international commercialisation plans.
During the breaks and also after the meeting many companies have made new (commercial) contacts. From the response of meeting delegates it was clear that these new contacts may very well lead to new bio-based initiatives.
Prof.dr. Hans Derksen
President Platform Bio-based Business
also had the experience that takes trade missions, headed some in international orientation can be manifold and source of fund carried out by three institutes with compr

hich mark Aets ,
Rlubricants • chemistry • colors & paintsR The German Federal Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Consumer protection
(BMELV, german abbreviation) had commissioned a study to analyse and
assess all markets for renewable resources. The overall objective of the
• cosmetics & pharmaceutics • paper, paperboard & cardboard study was to identify the most promising markets, and to develop strategic
• packaging products • moulding & natural fiber reinforced recommendations for the Government and the respective agencies, in
particular the Agency for Renewable Resources (FNR). The identification of the
• building materials & furnitures most promising markets allows a concentrated use of public funds for market
Within these markets again, several support activities and market introduction measures.
renewable resources and products were analysed. All markets were analyzed in a similar systematic approach with similar The study started in spring 2004 and representatives. Several interviews and indicators to facilitate an easy comparison of was carried out by three institutes with workshops with representatives of various the different markets.
comprehensive expertise in the different associations, industrial and trade companies, The valuation was carried out on the basis markets (Faserinstitut Bremen, Institut für and agricultural organisations have been of general economic criteria like extent, Energetik und Umwelt, meó Consulting organised. This approach ensured a practical growth, expectation of profits, tensity of Team). The overall project management was approach and avoided an "ivory tower study". competition, market access, necessary carried out by meó consulting team.
Customer requirements served as starting investments and sales potential. Also the point for all market assessments.
quality of the product, value for money In the first phase of the project, all markets The following markets were examined: and connections to markets and customers for renewable resources have been assessed, • electric energy played a role for the rating.
based on an examination of relevant • thermal energy literature and discussions with industry In Phase 2 of the project, selected markets have been assessed more in detail, and in phase 3 recommendations have been elaborated.
In 2006, the first part of the market analysis (phase 1, analysis of all markets) was published by the Fachagentur Nachwachsende Rohstoffe (FNR), the project promotion agency of the BMELV, who had been supervising the study. In 2007 the second part (phase 2 results) followed1.
Results
In general, the study-authors arrive at the
conclusion, that the different markets
are very heterogeneous, regarding their
competitivness and attractiveness (Figure 2).
1 "Marktanalyse Nachwachsende Rohstoffe", Teil I und II, FNR, 2006 bzw. 2007, to order on www.fnr.de, menu "Literatur" carried out by three institutes with compr trade missions, headed some industrial and trade companies and agricultural organisa have been assessed more in detail, and in phas

➤ Market Analysis
Some more detailed results are: competitiveness. Wood chips and logs • The energy markets are the most still offer additional potential in the attractive ones. They should form production of heat.
the main focus of political support Bioethanol and medium-term BtL are activities, due to their extent, the high the fuels with the highest growing growth rates of renewable resources potential, but necessity for support in this field and their contribution exists for both products along the to greenhouse gas savings and whole value chain. The aim is to sustainability. Last not least the high improve the competitiveness and oilprices, increasing demand and the to create an adequate legal and narrowness of oil reserves are playing regulatory framework for the outlet an important role for the positive markets. In contrast the market for dynamic of these markets. Biodiesel is in a much advanced stage. Within the field of electricity, power Biodiesel has achieved already high derived from biogas from renewable market shares and overall, Germany resources has the highest dynamic is globally the largest biodiesel of growth, thanks to the Renewable Energy Law. Generally, electricity • The market volume for renweable generation is characterized through resources in the chemical industry is a relatively high competitiveness of already today high. Sugar and starch german renewable resources. are the most important resources. The The same applies in the field perspectives for the future are positive, of thermal energy - german but the promotion should focus on renewable resources have a high selected segments, f.ex. on the field markets are the most attra last not least the high oilprices biotechnology, instead is in a much advanced stage. Biodiesel experiencing a growing demand, but the

markets, resources and
products are promising?
of White biotechnology, instead of the for packaging materials These The authors end with some general whole market.
products have developed their current conclusions. Basically, renewable resources • Wood as a building material is market position practically without have, due to high oil prices, narrowness established and attractive. It doesn't subsidies. They are established in the of oil reserves and GHG savings an need any promotion. Wood plastic domain of automotive interieur. High attractive position. However, international composites and board materials growth rates are expected for exterior, competitiveness of the German agricultural instead have, if getting specific cases and for sport-, recreation- and sector in several markets is not given. promotion, growth potential.
International competition is likely to increase • Cosmetics & pharmaceutics are • The market of textiles has been as a result of WTO-negotiations,. In the EU experiencing a growing demand, but assessed as not attractive. Exceptions context, German suppliers are often in a the international competitiveness of are fibers from dissolving pulp and leading position. Nevertheless the study- German farmers (e.g. herbal plants) is cellulose, they are a growing market authors think, that a long-lasting future only moderate.
for short-lived nonwovenproducts and without subsidies is possible only with • In the lubricants market, better product for the replacement of fiber glass in differentiated product characteristics, as for qualities are not honored. Despite fiber reinforced composites.
example "pharmaceutics with biography", substantial governmental promotion • Up to now insulating materials from certificates, "green biofuels", special services activities the sales volume is still quite renewable resources can be sold or reliable delivery. A need for action is still low. Lubricants made out of renewable only with high efforts in promotion. existing in this context.
resources are not competitive. Only in But against the background of an A problem is the actual legal and regulatory some markets (sensitive applications) increasing need in energy savings this framework, it often complicates the use of they have achieved a certain market market has a high attractiveness.
renewable resources in the different markets. share. Therefore, it is proposed to focus • For furniture from wood, a well These framework conditions should be the ongoing promotion measures on established domain, there is no need such attractive niche markets.
of promotion and research visible.
• In the market of colors & paints renewable resources are established, the studyauthors expect no dynamic growth in the future. Eventually the market segments of print colours and binders could be promoted with special measures.
• The established markets for paper, paperboard and cardboard are relatively big and due to the quite important transport costs for cellulose & pulp, advantegeous for German suppliers. However this market does not feature a high growing potential and needs no special support measures.
• The products wooden pallets and wooden boxes are well established and produced from native resources. Promising new markets are packaging and mulch-foils.
• Moulding and natural fiber reinforced composites have chances to grow even stronger than the overall market biotechnology, insteadsegments of print colors and binders could be prom experiencing a growing demand, but the a problem is the actual legal an ➤ Market Analysis
improved to facilitate the future growth of products from renewable resources is the market shares of renewable resources.
seen as a serious barrier. A "mental change" Finally the lack of consciousness and will be necessary, which is reachable with willingness of decision-makers to use appropriate communication measures.
develop four strategies of political financially should be helpfull for the lack of consciousness and willingness of the application form, the result and conclusion of their ananlysis the authors develop fo markets, resources and
products are promising?
As a result and conclusion of their analysis Entsprechend der Bewertung der einzelnen Marktsegmente können
the authors develop four strategies of unterschiedliche strategische Stoßrichtungen in Erwägung gezogen werden.
political support and correlate each renewable resource market with one them. The results are shown in figure 3 and 4.
This classification should be helpful for a strategic choice for future investments in renewable ressources. A necessary choice, not only on the level of each single project but also on the level of political promotion activities. Because the number of interesting markets is high and the available financial resources are limited.
Nicole Paul, Fachagentur
Nachwachsende Rohstoffe e.V. (FNR)
and Dr. Norbert Schmitz,
meó consulting team; Germany
should be helpfull for fuel Vehecles; one develop four strategies of political single project but also on the level of each result and conclusion of their ananlysis the authors develop fo financial re ROQUETTE: New Industrial
production of Isosorbide
Isosorbide may be described as the most Lastly, ROQUETTE has just received the on a par with or even superior to, their promising diol of renewable origin on positive opinion from the EFSA (European counterparts in the petrochemical industry.
account of the very unique and exceptional Food Safety Authority) for the use of nature of its properties.
Isosorbide as a monomer for PET dedicated With this significant investment ROQUETTE to food packaging.
is demonstrating tangible commitment It enables for example a considerable towards its innovation efforts and promoting increase in the heat resistance of polymers Thus Isosorbide can henceforth be the use of renewable resources for such as PET (polyethyleneterephthalate) and considered as a ‘'green' diol for the food- consequently a broadening of their range packaging sector, a sector that is in the full of applications (for hot-fill containers in throes of expansion and intent on using Isosorbide perfectly illustrates the new materials of an agricultural origin.
"vegetal based chemistry'.
Isosorbide can be substituted for other In addition to these diols in order to create new polyesters, polymer fields, Roquette is polycarbonates and polyurethanes that are developing derivatives of partially or even completely bio-based.
Isosorbide, in the form of Isosorbide Diesters for PVC Isosorbide is obtained from Sorbitol which plasticizers as a substitute itself comes from cereals. As the leading for phthalates, and in the world producer of Sorbitol, ROQUETTE has form of Dimethyl Isosorbide for many years now, made Isosorbide a key as a ‘'green ‘' solvent for the part of its innovation strategy.
industrial sector.
All these Isosorbide In order to support the new developments, developments in the last April ROQUETTE launched a new chemistry field are included Isosorbide industrial unit in Lestrem (France) in the BioHub® programme, with a production capacity of several a programme that is backed thousands of tonnes per annum.
by the French Industrial Innovation Agency and This unit will fulfill the drastic demands of of which Roquette is the the polymer industry with a specific grade In this respect Isosorbide In addition to making this investment, is now to be considered as ROQUETTE has recently acquired the a new chemical platform exclusive World rights to a patent of the of interest as it comes DuPont Company covering an Isosorbide from renewable resources of the high purity that is required for the and gives access to many applications in the polymers area.
derivatives with properties Publisher and Editor
Platform Bio-based Business Subscriptions are for one year and will be extended without notice from the subscriber to terminate the subscription. Termination is possible up to one month before the next subscription period is due without incurring cost. T: +31 (0)30 69 818 00 Design & Lay out
F: +31 (0) 30 6917394 ESENES designed communicationStanderdmolen 8-030, 3995 AA Houten, The Netherlands impressions of this symposium Calendar of events isosorbide can be substitu Platform Bio-based Business

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