Publication date:	16 juni 2008
More information:	Dr.ir. J.G. (Jan) de Wilt E-mail: j.g.de.wilt@innonet.agro.nl Phone: +31 (0)70-3784774 Mobile: +31 (0)6-48131103 Expertise: agriculture and water

“Yes, but the Dutch smell where the money is”, the director of a Swedish biodiesel firm observed. He was replying to my remark that the Netherlands is not really such an innovative country measured by the number of high-tech patents. I was on a two-day trip to Linköping, Sweden, to give lectures and discuss Industrial Ecology on the invitation of the local university and some companies. Concepts such as Zonneterp (heat recycling between greenhouses and homes) Agrocentrum (recycling between the farming and other sectors) and Algenfarm (Algae Farm) served as concrete examples for the utilization of waste flows such as CO2, residual heating and minerals through cross-sector cooperation.

It was a warm evening and the public squares had been transformed into large outdoor patios where crowds thronged together in the evening to watch Euro 2008 on the numerous TV screens – a trend that has blown over from the south of Europe to this remote northern spot. Together with my Swedish hosts I saw how the Netherlands taught Italy a lesson in good and effective team play. The usually undemonstrative Swedes were effusive in their enthusiasm, which simmered on the next day in such words of praise as “creative”, “smart” and “surprising” – and these same compliments were also projected on the concepts that I put to them, which suited me fine.

I, for my part, was impressed during my visit to Tekniska Verken, a multi-utility company that produces electricity, biogas, heating and water for 30 surrounding communities. Electricity is produced using domestic waste and wood; the released heat is utilized via a district heating network which functions as a cooling network in the summer. In one of Europe’s largest biogas installations, organic waste and offal are employed to produce biogas as a fuel for cars. All buses and taxis in the region now run on biogas, while further cooperation with the agriculture sector is planned in order to increase the current 6% of biogas cars to 20% in 2015. In addition, local farmers already bring their manure to the biogas installation of Tekniska Verken and then collect the digestate for use as bio-fertilizer on their land. The Netherlands is currently drafting legislation together with Brussels to make this application of biofuel possible in our country too.

Such an international flying visit is good to gain new ideas and inspiration. Whether it will actually lead to true cooperation remains to be seen. The Swedes are interested in a return visit this autumn, particularly to see projects like Kas als Energiebron (Greenhouse as Energy Source) and Happy Shrimp Farm. I was also invited to apply for a post as visiting professor in Industrial Ecology at the University of Linköping. I have my doubts about this: talking about innovation and putting it into practice are two very different things. But evidently the Swedes think they can learn something from the Netherlands.

That evening we were back in the large square; it was a lot chillier but blankets and patio heaters kept us warm while we enjoyed South-European outdoor culture with a Swedish flavour. On the large TV screens we saw Sweden beat Greece 2-0. Both goals were scored by players who had played for Dutch football clubs. As you can imagine, the Netherlands could do no wrong with my Swedish friends that evening!

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