Rodenburg 80 year history: From feed ingredients to bio-tech

A family’s mission for a greener future

For over 80 years, Rodenburg Biopolymers has been turning what others call waste into valuable resources.
What began as a small family business transforming potato by-products into animal feed has evolved into a pioneering force in bioplastics and biodegradable materials.

A Legacy of Innovation

The Rodenburg story began in the 1940s, when Arie Rodenburg started collecting leftover potato starch from local food producers. He turned these side streams into animal feed — a simple but visionary act of circular thinking, decades before “sustainability” became mainstream.

When the market shifted in the 1990s, the next generation took a bold step: instead of animal feed, they would make bioplastics from potato starch.

Through close collaboration with local universities, Rodenburg developed one of Europe’s first starch-based biopolymer facilities.
What began as an experiment has grown into a high-tech operation creating bioplastics that perform just like conventional plastics — but with a much lower environmental footprint.

Shaping the Future of Bioplastics

At Rodenburg, we produce biopolymer compounds that are bio-based, biodegradable, or both.
Our products are created by valorising organic waste streams** from the potato industry and can be processed on standard plastic machinery — from injection moulding to extrusion.

They are used across a wide range of applications:

• Packaging and consumer goods
• Horticulture and agriculture
• Industrial and technical components

Every Rodenburg product tells the story of innovation, resourcefulness and circular design — proving that sustainability and performance can go hand in hand.

Collaboration at the Core

We believe the most impactful innovations are born when sustainability and profit align.
That’s why Rodenburg works with partners across the entire value chain — from design to production, from research to retail.

Together with global brands such as Mars and Snickers, we co-developed biodegradable packaging films that meet the highest standards in both quality and environmental responsibility.

Our collaborative mindset also fuels the creation of Side Stream Innovation Valley — our innovation hub where start-ups, researchers, and manufacturers join forces to turn side streams into sustainable solutions.

“We believe the power of plants will be key in building a fossil-free future.”
Thijs Rodenburg, CEO

A Green Chemistry Breakthrough

Innovation doesn’t stop with bioplastics.
Through our start-up Tony Starch we are pioneering the next step in green chemistry.

Using a patented process powered by **green electricity**, Tony Starch produces Dialdehyde Starch (DAS) — a molecule with over 400 potential applications, from coatings and paper to cosmetics and construction materials.
The only by-product? Hydrogen.
A clean, scalable solution that helps replace fossil-based chemicals while creating value for the planet and people.

At the Frontier of Biobased Technology

From side-stream valorisation to scalable biobased production, Rodenburg continues to push the boundaries of what’s possible with plants. Three generations strong, we remain a family of pioneers, dedicated to making a real difference — today and for generations to come.

Rodenburg Biopolymers – Elevating biobased technologies.