The chemical industry produces most of the ingredients, compounds and semi-products used in the majority of products manufactured in our society. Fossil fuels are traditionally the main resource used in the chemical process industry. However, this means that the security of oil supplies and oil prices are a major concern. Competition for access to fossil energy carriers has already caused energy prices to rise. In its 2011 World Energy Outlook the International Energy Agency states that ‘rising transport demand and upstream costs reconfirm the end of cheap oil.’ In addition, the concentration of supplies is sometimes causing supply chain disruptions – the oil embargo by the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries in the mid-1970s is a classic example, while the Russia-Ukraine gas disputes over the price of natural gas and its transit to countries beyond the Ukraine are a more recent example. Another important issue related to the use of fossil fuels is climate change.

Biotic resources such as timber, straw, rapeseed, manure and organic waste streams from food production and food consumption are gradually becoming an important feedstock for energy production and chemistry. Climate policy strongly supports their use as sources of energy. The fermentation, gasification and burning of these organic resources produce heat, electricity, biogas and biocrude oil, which can be used in applications where fossil fuels were traditionally used. In the process industry these biotic resources are not being used for energy production. The characteristics of natural fibres, proteins, starch and other ingredients have proven to be extremely valuable in the manufacture of a wide range of products, from medicines to construction materials and from fine chemicals to ethanol. As more and more companies discover or rediscover the added value of biotic resources, the mobilizing concept of a biobased economy is gradually becoming reality. Some are calling it the third industrial revolution.

This chapter presents four compelling and convincing examples of new business opportunities based on biotic resources such as straw, sugar beet and meat by-products. ‘Nature does not produce waste,’ as Jalal Laham, president of Teeuwissen Group, says. The examples illustrate that we are rediscovering the value of bio-based products in new market applications.