Working on the agricultural sector of the future

The open innovation programme Fascinating (Food Agro Sustainable Circular Nature Technology) aims to realise within ten years a circular system in Groningen that balances sustainability, nature, healthy food and economic impact. Fascinating is aiming for a system with a closed nitrogen cycle, free of CO₂ emissions, and with more efficient, local production of vegetable proteins.

Fascinating connects businesses, the agricultural sector, knowledge institutions and the community in order to achieve this common goal. The four large agricultural cooperatives Agrifirm, Avebe, Cosun and FrieslandCampina, as well as LTO Noord and the province of Groningen, are working together with knowledge institutions and organisations in the food, chemical and energy sectors in order to realise the agricultural sector of the future.

Innovative companies play a key role in the transition to a climate-neutral, circular food system. Fascinating offers innovative companies (start-ups and scale-ups) the infrastructure and facilities to continue developing their innovations. However, innovative companies are currently only engaged in this to a limited extent. In a long-term partnership, Invest-NL will support Fascinating in setting up and improving collaborations, scaling up innovative solutions and developing profitable business cases (on a national and regional level).

Wouter Bos, CEO Invest-NL:'The open innovation programme Fascinating in Groningen will make an important contribution to the protein transition by increasing the supply of protein-rich crops in the Netherlands and developing innovative applications of plant proteins and residual streams. By supporting Fascinating in scaling up innovative solutions, Invest-NL is accelerating the transition towards a climate-neutral, circular food system and making the Netherlands more sustainable and innovative.'

Tjeerd Jongsma, Director of the Institute for Sustainable Process Technology (ISPT):'Innovation means successfully launching new products, processes and services onto the market. While Fascinating focuses on development, Invest-NL is instrumental in actually bringing innovations to the marketplace. Especially for the difficult innovations in the (circular) food chain, it is important to take the long view and give shape to this collaboration. Invest-NL is the ideal partner and we are very pleased to be able to work together and create opportunities for entrepreneurs in the new food system.'