News
2 April 2025
From cashew nut shells to sustainable coatings
Research, education, and innovation converge in the development of sustainable and circular materials from waste streams, such as cashew nut shells, for eco-friendly coatings and plastics.
31 March 2025
PODCAST: Biobased Materials as a Solution for a Sustainable Future
Biobased materials can play a significant role in the transition to a circular and climate-neutral society. But why is this transition progressing so slowly? And what is needed to accelerate it? In this podcast by Living Ecosystem, our experts—Maaike Lycklama à Nijeholt (Rotterdam University of Applied Sciences), Thijs Rodenburg (Rodenburg Biopolymers), and Han van Kasteren (MNEXT/Avans University of Applied Sciences)—discussed these questions, guided by our host Myrna van de Water (Rotterdam University of Applied Sciences). The conclusion: collaboration between education, research, and industry is essential to scale up biobased materials.
26 March 2025
Dutch and Finnish students compete against and with each other during the Biobased Battle 2025
Last week, the third edition of the Biobased Battle took place, a four-day competition in which Dutch and Finnish students collaborated to present the best practical biobased solutions for real-world challenges. For the first time, non-technical students also participated, bringing new perspectives on sustainable business models, communication, and technology integration within circular applications.
19 March 2025
Whitepaper: Circular Failure
The circular economy offers enormous opportunities, but not every project succeeds. We examined sixteen large-scale circular initiatives with a total investment of more than 2.5 billion euros. What makes the difference between success and failure? Our research shows that three factors are crucial: the financial space to get through difficult periods, strong and strategic leadership, and good risk management.
24 February 2025
A Second Life for Mycelium Biocomposites
In the search for more sustainable building materials, mycelium is increasingly being praised for its potential. The MycEoLA project, an initiative by MNEXT and several partners, explores the possibilities of mycelium biocomposites, specifically the foams and panels used in construction. The goal? To develop circular solutions for these materials, ensuring they do not end up as waste but can have a second life. This project answers the question: "What happens to mycelium biocomposites once they have fulfilled their function in construction?"
17 February 2025
Students Explore Hydrogen Technology in Interactive Workshops
Recently, eighty third-year students from the Industrial Engineering and Management program at Avans University of Applied Sciences participated in interactive workshops on sustainable energy, with a specific focus on hydrogen technology. The workshops were organized at the Living Green Lab in Den Bosch and guided by researchers from the Renewable Energy Carriers research group and the Biobased Construction research group.
3 February 2025
New Generation of Future Rethinkers present their Research
At the end of each internship period, interns at MNEXT have the opportunity to present their research findings to a wide audience. The most recent edition of the Future Rethinkers Poster Challenge took place recently, where interns shared their discoveries through scientific posters. During this inspiring afternoon, they presented their research to researchers, mentors, companies, fellow students, and other interested parties, with the materials and energy transition as the central theme.
21 January 2025
