https://panacea-crops.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/Panacea-Biethanol-4-juli-Menti-resultaten.pdfSome remarks/conclusion per question in the Mentimeter at PANACEA Biethanol Value Chain Event carried out by Wageningen last july in Netherlands.
- In which sector do you work? Most people in the audience work in the energy/chemical industry sector, or in research and advice. Unfortunately, no farmers were present.
- With what purpose did you come to this seminar? Gain knowledge about sugar beet as a building block in the bio based economy and a replacement for fossil fuel derived products was the main goal for most attendees. But, several came for exploring new business opportunities and to network.
- Statement: Products developed from sugar beets will be an important renewable replacement for fossil fuel derived products. The attendees strongly agreed with the statement after hearing all the presentations about the possibilities for sugar beets as a resource for the bio-based economy.
- What are the strengths of sugar beet as a replacement for fossil products? The sustainability of sugar beet as a resource, and the direct availability of sugars for further processing are by far the largest strengths of sugar beet. The other options (market potential, cultivation practices, processing facilities and logistics, and products characteristics) were only mentioned a couple of times as a strength.
- What is the biggest challenge of using sugar beet for alternative processing and uses. The acceptance of sugar beet products as replacement of fossil fuel products, and the cost price of production for industries are the biggest challenges. These challenges must be overcome in order to increase the demand and use of sugar beet as a resource.
- What is needed to further develop products from sugar beet as a renewable replacement for fossil fuels. Open question, attendees could type in their own points. Policies were mentioned several times; if policies will stimulate (incentives, tax reduction, subsidies) and not hamper sugar beet derived products, this would definitely help to further develop and expand the use of sugar beet as a renewable replacement. A part of this in in the food feed fuel discussion at European level (can we use food or feed crops for energy or chemical industry?). Furthermore, investment from industries are required. Finally, acceptance by all actors (companies, policy, consumers) of products derived from sugar beet can stimulate the development.
Click here for:
