Students highlight innovations in potato starch industry

Today, entrepreneurs like Royal Avebe, government agencies, and knowledge institutions are working to achieve a better balance between economy and ecology. Innovation is essential in this regard. This was no different in the past, as the book "Mission (Un)Completed: Two Centuries of Innovation in the Potato Starch Industry" reveals.

The potato starch industry was crucial to Groningen. As part of the Industrial Revolution, this agro-industry, so important to the Northern Netherlands, provided significant employment starting in the mid-nineteenth century. Some of these potato starch factories were incorporated into the Avebe cooperative, which now operates worldwide from Veendam and focuses on ingredients for food, animal feed, and other sectors.

Innovation and Collaboration

Since the industry's inception, governments, entrepreneurs, and knowledge institutions have been united in shared missions. Initially, they sought ways to grow the industry, and now they also pursue a healthy balance between economy and ecology. This book connects the past and present by highlighting the development of these missions, focusing on innovation and collaboration in the Northern potato starch industry.

Third-year History students created a book about 200 years of economic and innovation innovation in the Northern potato starch industry. They used historical visual material such as (press) photos, artwork, and images from historical sources.

The book was presented on Tuesday, December 16th, during the Campus Café, The Christmas Edition 2025, at the Royal Avebe Innovation Centre on Zernike Campus. Supervisor Marijn Molema, endowed professor of Regional Vitality & Dynamics at the University of Groningen, provided an introduction. Student Jarno Welp then presented the first copy to employee Henk Drok, who, at 49 years, has had the longest tenure at Royal Avebe.

ISBN (print): 9789403431406
ISBN (pdf): 9789403431413
DOI: 10.21827/68f0fc3cd55c9