The government encourages the use of biomaterials because this will help us achieve the climate goals and make our economy more sustainable. Biomaterials can be a good substitute for fossil-based materials. For instance, they can be used as fuel, by the construction industry or to make plastic.

Biomaterials are derived from or made by biological organisms

Biomaterials are organic materials. Examples are:

  • timber
  • plant trimmings
  • potato peelings
  • offal 
  • wastewater treatment sludge
  • manure

Biomaterials can be used directly as fuel to produce bio-energy. Or they can be fed into a gasifier that converts them into a flammable gas. This biogas can then be used as fuel. Biomaterials are also used to make different kinds of construction materials, bioplastics and paper.

Biomaterials are essential for a climate neutral economy

Biomaterials are essential to achieve the climate targets and a sustainable, circular economy. This is set out in the National Climate Agreement and the National Circular Economy Programme. Thanks to biomaterials we will need fewer fossil resources, like oil, coal and natural gas. In turn, that will mean lower greenhouse gas emissions.

Suppliers of petrol and diesel are obliged to blend these with biofuels. This is because EU countries including the Netherlands have agreed that transport fuels must contain 10% biofuel.

But biomaterials can be used in many other ways too: 

  • in the chemicals industry as a raw material for plastics, glue and various coatings;
  • in insulation or plywood for the construction industry;
  • as fuel for heavy goods transport by road and water. This is mainly a temporary solution during the transition to electric or hydrogen-powered vehicles and ships.

Stricter requirements for biofuels

The production of biomaterials is not always sustainable, and burning them as fuel still releases CO2 and fine particulates into the air. In the European Union (EU) biofuels must meet strict conditions to ensure they are as sustainable as possible. This means that:

  • Biofuels should preferably be derived from residual materials or waste;
  • Soil quality and biodiversity should be taken into account in biomass production (especially in agriculture and forestry);
  • Woody biomass should not be derived from trees cut down specifically for that purpose, or come from countries where deforestation takes place.
  • Companies must be able to show where the biomass they use has come from.

The criteria for biomass are laid down in the Conformity Requirements (Solid Biomass Fuel) Decree (Besluit conformiteit vaste biomassa voor energietoepassingen) and Conformity Requirements (Solid Biomass Fuel) Order (Regeling conformiteit vaste biomassa voor energietoepassingen).

Checking the sustainability of biofuels

Sustainable biofuels must be certified by independent organisations that check if the sustainability requirements are met. They look not only at the origin of the biomass, but at the whole supply chain.

In the Netherlands and in the EU, there are several certification systems. The government is working to develop one system that will make it easier to check if biomass is sustainable.

For more information about the government’s goals for sustainable biofuels, see the Sustainability Framework for Biofuels (Duurzaamheidskader biogrondstoffen).