Biomethanol key to Europe’s bioenergy ambitions: Waterland

| 11-05-2011

European policies are driving the growth of biofuels, with biomethanol holding a very competitive position in this space, a cleantech investor said.

Hans Scheepers, investment director at growth capital private equity fund Waterland Private Equity Investments, said the second generation biofuel is set to be an industry leader.

In 2009, Waterland made an initial €33m investment into biomethanol technology provider BioMCN (and has since invested more than a further €17m), which is on track to build the world's largest biomass refinery. 'We recognise that the Renewable Energy Directive will lead to a huge market for biofuels in Europe,' Scheepers said.
'There are very few second generation biofuel plants producing at a commercial scale. We liked the company's competitive business and the management team.'

Biomethanol is chemically identical to regular methanol and BioMCN uses renewable feedstock that is derived from organic waste materials. Waterland's focus is diverse and spread across sectors that are underpinned by key drivers such as sustainability, the aging population, outsourcing, and luxury and leisure.
'We focus on companies that have a considerable track record and proof of concept. Our capital injection generally goes towards the progression of their business strategy,' Scheepers said.

Along this aim, he said he would be open to looking at a corporate partnership for BioMCN moving forward.
'Today, we are selling to both oil majors and manufacturers. We are open to a strategic partnership, if it accelerates the growth of the company.'