In 2014 Delphy and Research Station ‘Rusthoeve’ started the realization of the Biobased Innovation Garden Rusthoeve together with the ambition:

The BioBased Innovations Garden is internationally recognized as the breeding ground of the Biobased Delta in The Netherlands for innovation in the cultivation and application of new green raw materials in the processing industry. De Biobased garden is therefore the place where (agricultural) entrepreneur(s), knowledge institutions and the demand from the business community (construction and chemistry) meet and innovations arise. To this end, knowledge institutions and companies have close ties with the Biobased garden.

Τhis was the first large demonstration field in the Netherlands where several potential raw materials are grown side by side. The Biobased Innovation Garden Rusthoeve has become a place where more than 80 different potential biobased crops have been grown in recent years.

After 5 years of biobased gardening, of which from 2017 within ‘Growing a Green Future’, we have taken many steps to realize this ambition. Analyzes have been performed on several crops and business cases have been made. The biobased garden is visited every year by many people, including entrepreneurs, farmers and students. Several research and developments have also been started in collaboration with the business community, such as now concerning the cultivation of Dutch cotton and natural rubber from dandelion. Hopeful results have been achieved from the analyzes on tansy for insect-repellent ingredients, which offers opportunities for arable farming. Crops have also emerged in the sidings of the biobased garden that may have a limited role in the biobased economy, but which offer opportunities as food such as sweet potato, sorghum and gluten-free amaranth. New opportunities arise especially on fiber applications such as in isulation, building materials and textile. Our aim is not only to show and let it grow but also to build the value chain.