Article: Rodenburg Third-generation pioneers, definitely a gift

Together with his brother Joost (43), he runs Rodenburg Biopolymers, a family business founded 80 years ago by their grandfather. Grandfather was a farmer and owned land and livestock. Among other things, he sold potatoes to French fry factories, but his customers required him to take back the residual wastes. Innovative as he was, he turned it into animal feed on a large scale. When swine fever broke out in 1996, Thijs’ father focused on bioplastics. But he was twenty years too early: the market was not yet ready for it.

“We have a dot on the horizon and are sailing in the right direction.” – Thijs Rodenburg

Bioplastics

“It is now,” says Thijs, who has been managing director since 2015. “People are looking for replacements for oil and chemicals. We have grown rapidly in recent years and now have 45 employees. We are not afraid of competition; it is necessary to be able to make a difference in the pursuit of a sustainable world.” Rodenburg uses plant-based raw materials from the waste streams of the food processing industry and processes them into semi-finished products. The favorite product is bioplastics, for which they make granules. Their customers are eco-restoration companies that restore mussel beds and coral reefs, among other things, and production companies focused on horticulture.

Making things more beautiful

“Our strength? As a family business, we are fast and dynamic, highly innovative, and we have a large production capacity here in Oosterhout. But don’t forget that behind everything we do, there is a philosophy: to pass on a better world to the next generation. For us, that goes without saying.”

“We are too small to do it all on our own, which is why we are now expanding significantly so that other companies can move in with us for greater synergy.”

Thijs Rodenburg (44) believes in making an impact.

65,000 m²

Improvements are now also evident in their ambitions. Next year, a 1,000 m² beta campus will be the first to appear. Once the zoning plan process for an even larger campus has been completed, construction will continue on 65,000 m² will be built. Here, companies with the same mission can come together and join forces. Companies that have proven their technology, just like Rodenburg. A small part will consist of pioneers. “In addition to companies, we also want schools and universities to participate, as part of hybrid learning and training talent in our sector. Together, we will continue to search for innovative ways to process plant-based materials.”

Tony Starch

Driven by a desire to continuously develop new production methods, Rodenburg recently established a new division: Tony Starch. Starch. Starch is the English word for starch. This division will use a new

production method to process starch into a completely new range of products: from antimicrobial applications and use in coatings to use as a drug delivery agent, tanning agent, or superabsorbent. The Tony Starch division of Rodenburg has received a grant from the European Just Transition Fund (JTF). In addition, the company receives co-financing from the national government and the province of North Brabant.

Recognition

Rodenburg is making great strides. It is no surprise that it has won several awards, such as the Global Bioplastics Award in 2016, the Groene Pluim in 2018, and the Golden Circle Award in 2022. “That recognition feels good. Awards also bring you into contact with other participants with whom you can collaborate.” Sometimes he gets knocked back or things don’t go the way he would like them to because of slow legislation and regulations. “It’s frustrating, but you don’t give up,” says the third generation. “Not everyone has the opportunity that Joost and I have to make a difference in the ecological footprint. We ended up in bioplastics thanks to previous generations. The fact that we are able to develop this further has definitely been a gift.”

Laughing and grumbling

More and more people want to come and work at Rodenburg. Young, driven people. From techies to production workers. “They make a conscious choice to become part of our company,” says Thijs proudly. “We are also co-founders of ‘The Plant-based Network’, with like-minded companies such as ours. This group is growing rapidly. We learn from each other and share our thoughts. It’s great to be able to brainstorm, laugh, and grumble. Because, once again, you can’t make an impact on your own, especially in this market.”

Text: Jeanette van Haasen  / Photography: Kees Bennema

Repost: Read the article in Dutch

Brabant Business – Rodenburg Biopolymers