A spin-off from Wageningen University has recently landed at Campus Groningen with a clear mission. ChainCraft, the innovative biotech company that converts organic waste streams into valuable fatty acids, has recently established itself in the Chemistry & Engineering Innovation Center on Zernike Campus. Not only to be closer to their collaboration partner Avebe, but also to invest in the future. “We are preparing to build our factory in Ter Apelkanaal. Having a base on campus helps us build our network here and attract young talent,” says founder Niels van Stralen.

Sustainable technology from the university

ChainCraft produces fatty acids in a sustainable way, Niels explains: “We use fermentation technology to convert organic waste streams into fatty acids. These fatty acids are often currently derived from palm oil or petrochemicals, but we make them sustainably. Their applications are broad, from animal feed to cleaning products and plastics.”

Although ChainCraft is still firmly rooted in the Amsterdam and Wageningen regions, its ties to the north have strengthened in recent years. “Our collaboration with Avebe is a major reason for expanding into Groningen. Their potato starch by-products are a valuable raw material for us. Soon, we will process these on an industrial scale in Ter Apelkanaal.”

Establishing a presence on campus via Space Werkcafé

To establish a local presence, ChainCraft recently started using a flexible workspace at the Space Werkcafé in the Chemistry & Engineering Innovation Center on Campus Groningen. “It’s a pleasant, quiet place where you also meet other entrepreneurs,” says Niels. “Initially, we’ll use it a few days per month, but if all goes well, we’d like to expand that.”

Yolanda van der Kroft, manager of Space Werkcafé, sees it as a welcome addition: “Companies like ChainCraft bring new energy and knowledge. I see my role as connecting people, between companies, but also with students and researchers from Hanze University. And if they run into challenges, they can always come to me. That accessibility is our strength.”

Collaboration and community

According to Niels, the campus is a natural choice for their next step: “There are already innovative companies here, like BioBTX, with whom we share synergies. It’s also attractive because of the proximity to the university and university of applied sciences. Running our factory requires employees with a wide range of expertise, from practical to academically trained.”

Participation in the campus community is also on their radar. “In Amsterdam, we already join running races and team events, so here we’ll certainly get involved in initiatives like Campus Koffiepraat or the Campus Trail,” says Niels. “For now, the most important thing is to build a second home in Groningen.”

Looking ahead: factory in 2027, production in 2028

The ambitions are high: “We aim to make the investment decision for the factory by the end of this year or early 2026,” says Niels. “If everything goes according to plan, the building will be ready by mid-2027 and we’ll be operational in 2028. That means we are already planning ahead in terms of recruitment and network development.”

New plans at Space

Meanwhile, Space Werkcafé is also planning for the future. Yolanda: “We want to make even better use of the space and are considering workshops and lectures that companies can join. This brings people together and encourages collaboration and knowledge sharing, exactly what makes the campus so special.”

“A place where ideas turn into reality”

The arrival of ChainCraft is yet another example of how Campus Groningen attracts innovative companies that are sustainable and future-oriented. With facilities like Space Werkcafé, an active network, and close links to education and research, the campus provides fertile ground for growth. “We’ve only just arrived, but you immediately feel: this is a place where ideas turn into reality,” says Niels.

Bron tekst: Campus Groningen
Foto header: Niels van Stralen, bron ChainCraft.