Discovering what Kaumera can become – Why co-development Is essential
Kaumera is not a standard raw material. It is a versatile biobased material with unique properties: it regulates water, acts as a flame retardant, functions as a soil improver or biostimulant, and serves as a binder. But precisely because of its wide range of applications, Kaumera requires something special: collaboration at an early stage, so that together we can discover how to create the greatest value.
This is where our lab plays a key role—not as an endpoint, but as a starting point. Here, we translate customer questions into experiments, test ideas, and jointly discover what works. In this article, Niels van den Berg and Anand Raja share insights into how co-creation works in practice—and why it delivers so much value.
Customer questions start with curiosity
Not every customer comes with a fully developed plan. Often, it begins with: “Could Kaumera be of value to us?” That’s where the joint journey starts. A strong technical and economic fit in the development process with customers is crucial for successful product development. It begins with mapping requirements and working towards a Proof of Concept (PoC). Each sector has different demands—whether in terms of chemistry, processing, or cost. For example, we may need to increase the solid content or decolorize the product without increasing costs. But is that feasible? If not, we work together to find a solution that does.
The lab as a catalyst for collaboration
Our laboratory environment makes ideas tangible. Here, we test additives, mix formulations, simulate conditions, and build prototypes. “We often already know about 80% of what’s needed,” says Anand. “The remaining 20% we discover in the lab—always keeping the customer’s needs in mind.” The lab helps us quickly determine what is promising—and what is not. This saves time, avoids pursuing the wrong directions, and accelerates innovation.
Surprises provide direction
Not everything works as expected—and that is valuable. Niels explains how unexpected test results often lead to new insights. Sometimes you expect combining substances to yield a strong technical result, but in the lab, it may perform worse—or far better—than anticipated. “That’s not a disappointment, but valuable input,” he says. “It shows where Kaumera works and where it doesn’t—and that opens up new pathways.”
Why early collaboration makes the difference
What helps is that our team adds real value to our customers’ development teams, thanks to the depth of knowledge we bring. Customers often come with complex questions. When we can answer them quickly and effectively, trust is built. For the remaining questions, we rely on the lab. Mindset is also crucial. “Kaumera does not replace synthetic products one-to-one,” says Niels. “Its structure is fundamentally different and requires a different approach. That’s why it’s so valuable when customers engage at an early stage.”
Applications in development
New applications are continuously emerging from customer needs. Niels is looking forward to exploring Kaumera as a flocculant and in soil applications. Anand is investigating its potential as a binder in insulation materials, in flame-retardant applications, and in plant plugs. “The strength of Kaumera lies in its ability to be tailored through valorization,” Anand explains. “Specific functional groups can be introduced, making Kaumera a distinctive biobased chemical product that can replace fossil-based chemicals.”
The invitation: help shape what Kaumera can become
Kaumera is not a finished product. It is a material with room for interpretation, innovation, and growth. We prefer to explore that space together—with partners who engage early, think along, and co-develop.
Curious about what Kaumera could mean for your application? We would be happy to explore it together.