HU University of Applied Sciences Utrecht becomes more sustainable with a biodigester
On Thursday, October 2nd, HU University of Applied Sciences Utrecht celebrated the installation of an innovative biodigester during the Utrecht Science Week. This system converts vegetable, fruit, and food waste (organic waste) into biogas, contributing to a more sustainable campus. The biodigester also serves as a testing ground for education and research, and as an inspiring example for the region. This demonstrates how Utrecht University of Applied Sciences is putting its sustainability ambitions and mission-driven initiatives into practice.
Scale Model for Cities
But the digester has more impact than just sustainability. It is also a textbook example of interdisciplinary collaboration: technology, communication, education, and research converge here. Hermen: “The biodigester offers students and researchers a testing ground for learning, experimenting, and innovating, thus contributing to solutions for complex sustainability issues.” Utrecht Science Park is the perfect location for this, says Arjan Brenkman, program manager of Chemistry and Chemical Technology: “The campus is well-organized and clearly defined, making it a scale model for how neighborhoods, cities, and even countries can be designed in a circular manner. How cool is it that as a student, you can already contribute to this during your program!”
More than technology
The biodigester offers opportunities for more than just technological learning. Legal, logistical, and social issues also arise within the system. How do you organize the collection of biowaste? What agreements are needed to ensure this system operates fairly and efficiently? And how do you ensure that staff and students separate their waste so that the digester performs optimally? For example, students have already contributed to a ready-made logistics plan for using organic waste from the food courts as fuel, and students from the Communication, Communication & Multimedia Design, and Industrial Engineering and Management programs are working on the project.
Shared ambitions
The biodigester is a further development of earlier prototypes. The interdisciplinary research and education is an initiative of the Chemical Technology program at the Institute for Life Sciences & Chemistry of Utrecht University of Applied Sciences. Also see the HU Story that was created about this. The HU research group Innovative Testing in Life Sciences & Chemistry assisted with the research into expanding and optimizing the fermentation process. The startup CIRC is the driving force behind the development of the system, and with a contribution from the Utrecht Business Fund, the role of the fermenter in the energy mix of the Utrecht Science Park campus is being investigated. In short, many parties are coming together here in their shared ambitions for a circular society.
ZonMw grants for group leaders Den Hertog, Mattiroli, Bakkers and Van Rooij
Jeroen den Hertog, Francesca Mattiroli, Jeroen Bakkers, and Eva van Rooij, group leaders at the Hubrecht Institute, have received ZonMw Open Competition grants. The grants allow them to delve deeper into their research on RASopathies and heart regeneration. You can learn more about their projects below.
Jeroen Kingma to be the new Director of Campus & Facilities
As of 1 April 2026, Jeroen Kingma will be the new Director of the Campus & Facilities. In this role, he will lead the Campus & Facilities department and will be responsible for policy and implementation in the areas of real estate, accommodation and facility services. Kingma currently serves as Vice Chair of the Supervisory Board at Zorggroep Tangenborgh.
Utrecht Science Park Foundation is looking for a new Director-Executive
The current Director-Executive, Jan Henk van der Velden of the Utrecht Science Park Foundation, has announced that he will step down from his role as of July 1, 2026. In the coming period, a search will be conducted for an enthusiastic successor.
UtrechtInc has been recognized in the Financial Times “Europe’s Leading Startup Hubs 2026” ranking.
While UtrechtInc is proud of this recognition, the real stars of the story are the entrepreneurs, researchers, and students who walk through its doors every day.