Avans University of Applied Sciences is redrafting its courses and curricula in view of sustainability. For chemical engineering in particular that implies a focus on 'green' and bio-based processes, products and energy. Avans is situated in the Southwest region of the Netherlands and specifically in …

This dissertation explores the controversial concept of the green economy and the rapidly increasing environmental concerns associated to the heavy energy industry. The main objective of this paper is to investigate how China's 12th Five-Year Plan responds to the green economy paradigm. Hence, it examines …

Algae, a new gold rush? DAS Conference 17 November 2011.

The Dutch greenhouse horticultural industry is characterized by world leadership in high-tech innovation. The dynamics of this playing field are innovation in production systems and automation, reduction in energy consumption and sharing limited space. However, international competitive advantage of …

Over recent years aspects of sustainability have claimed a central role in many countries. As a result research for sustainability has become an important driver for innovation. This paper describes developing a model that supports SMEs in integrating sustainability in their business and innovation processes. In …

The Dutch greenhouse horticulture industry is characterized by world leadership in high-tech innovation. The dynamics of this playing field are innovation in production systems and automation, reduction in energy consumption and sharing limited space. However, international competitive advantage of the …

Cost price efficiency is key in competing in the modern horticultural industry. Over the past four years I came to realize that bulb cultivation and the cultivation of bulb flowers is accompanied by major risks, as it is difficult to fine tune the product’s quality. Seasonal influences affect bulb growth, …

Since the film of Al Gore An inconvenient truth, sustainability stands high on the national agenda of most countries. Concern for the environment is one of the main reasons in combination with opportunities to innovate. In general, innovation and entrepreneurship are important in the realm of national …

The environment of the(Dutch) building industry is increasingly turbulent. There are many cges for the building industry. Innovative tendering, better marketing, openness and transparency are examples of this. A strong reduction in failure costs (estimated at between 10 and 25% of the total costs) and …

Reporting is a significant critical success factor for a sustainable development, and in the packaging industry an overall willingness to report and disclose information is determinable. It facilitates awareness for sustainability relevance, provides environmental benchmarking and motivates towards change …