The potato may seem like a simple crop, but behind Groningen's potato starch industry lies a history full of innovation and unexpected developments. Four history students from the University of Groningen delved into that story and discovered how a regional industry grew into an innovative player with international significance. Their research resulted in a new book, which was presented at a fitting location during Campus Café - The Christmas Edition, at the Avebe Innovation Centre on the Zernike Campus.
The idea for the book arose during a lecture on regional development given by Dorien Knaap and Marijn Molema. Seventeen students investigated how the potato starch industry has always managed to adapt to new circumstances. Four of them (Jarno Welp, Casper Colenbrander, Roelof de Jong and Lisabeth Woltjer) decided to compile their findings in a reader-friendly book:
Mission (un)accomplished. Two centuries of innovation in the potato starch industry.
The launch took place at a location that could not have been more symbolic: during Campus Café - The Christmas Edition, organised this year at Avebe. Surrounded by colleagues, researchers and campus partners, Marijn Molema and two of the students presented the first copy to Avebe's longest-serving employee.
This project is an example of how a campus presence stimulates collaboration between businesses and knowledge institutions. Students are given the opportunity to conduct research that directly impacts the region. Businesses, in turn, benefit from new insights and talent.
The book also demonstrates how important innovation remains for a sustainable future. Today's challenges - from circular production to plant-based proteins - tie in seamlessly with the research conducted daily at Campus Groningen.
The full article from Dagblad van het Noorden about the project and the history of the potato starch industry can be found here.
Who is developing the most impactful innovation in Life Sciences & Health in the Northern Netherlands? Five companies are in the running for the LIFE Science Innovation Award 2026: Flux Robotics, Limosa Immunodiagnostics, SPCTR, MimeCure and GlycanScan International. The nominees will present their innovations on Tuesday 22 September during the fifth edition of the LIFE Science Conference in Groningen. An independent jury will select the winner, who will receive a €10,000 cash prize.
A much-loved tradition The Campus Trail has become a much-loved tradition on campus. Students, employees and professionals from companies and organisations across the campus ecosystem lace up their running shoes for a sporty 6.4-kilometre route through buildings and past some of the campus’s unique labs. The rapid growth in registrations shows just how much the Campus Trail has become part of the campus community. The combination of sport, meeting others and the unique campus setting makes the run a great opportunity to connect with people outside the usual work and study environment. And there’s no need to head home as soon as you cross the finish line. During the after-party, hosted by Contini Catering, participants can relax together, enjoy a drink and celebrate the afternoon. There’s still time to join: those who want to take part can register online until 3 September, or sign up on the day itself using the PIN Campus Trail 2026 | Campus Groningen.
ZonMw is expected to open the final call for proposals within the PharmaNL Shared Development Infrastructure (SDI) program line. This program line focuses on strengthening the infrastructure for the development, upscaling, and production of innovative medicines in the Netherlands.
