Who we are

After completing my Master’s studies in chemical science and engineering at the University of Twente, I decided to remain in the scenic city of Enschede. My fascination with the interplay of science and technology, as well as my desire to apply my knowledge to practical challenges, led me to pursue a career as a Process Engineer at BTG Bioliquids.

In this role, I am dedicated to improving and expanding fast pyrolysis technology and the bio-oil market uptake. I’m particularly interested in exploring how economies of scale can lead to significant industry impact and change the way we consume energy and materials in our society. With a strong passion for sustainability, I firmly believe that the widespread adoption of fast pyrolysis and other renewable technologies is essential to creating a cleaner and more eco-friendly future.

When I’m not working, I love to venture out and explore the natural beauty of the Twente region. Additionally, I enjoy experimenting with new recipes and engaging in physical activities such as working out at the gym or ice-skating.

My name is Cindy Groen. I am the HR advisor at BTL. In my profession I am always looking for the story of the organization and the people who work there. Because where they touch is where the key to sustainable development lies.

I am married and mother of two daughters and a son. I enjoy the outdoors. In my spare time I like to be outside; running, bootcamp, horseback riding and yard work.

My name is Bart Bemthuis, I grew up and studied in the Twente region (eastern region of The Netherlands). I am a Project and Commissioning Engineer at BTG Bioliquids. Here I can combine my theoretical background in mechanical engineering with the hands-on and dynamic activities that are involved with commissioning a Pyrolysis installation. Being in the field is really what makes “an engineer an engineer” in my opinion, and I am happy to share this experience.

Besides my work I like to spend time with my girlfriend, family, and friends. I also enjoy sports and being active in nature or at home. When I was 15, my father and myself restored his old moped that was rusting away in an old shed. A nice experience that is valuable for my work these days.

I am Marjolein Stuurman, a Project and Commissioning Engineer at BTG Bioliquids in Enschede, The Netherlands.

I have a background in Chemical Engineering which is an excellent basis for working at BTG Bioliquids. Technology is important, but a close relationship with the people I work with is also valuable to me.

In addition to a bachelor in Chemical Engineering, I also completed a post-bachelor in Maintenance Engineering. Only technology was insufficient, therefore I decided to continue my studies and completed a second bachelor in Business Engineering.

I like to reinvent myself and achieve stated goals in cooperation with other people. “Don’t look at what is, but what it can become”. I am eager to learn, open and determined. A project is successful to me when the customer is satisfied with the end result and a team feeling has arisen during the project.

Besides work, I have a great interest in traveling and different cultures. But I can also really enjoy the simpler things, such as making a nice meal together.

Experienced Plant Manager with a demonstrated history of working in the renewables and environment industry. Skilled in Portfolio Management, Gas Turbines, Process Safety, Energy, and Risk Management. Strong operations professional with a MBE focused in Master of Business in Energy Systems from Delft University of Technology.

My name is Dennis Broekhuis and I am the financial Controller at BTG Bioliquids B.V.

I am married and have two children. I am a big motorsport enthusiast and love classic cars, having a classic BMW myself, which I have owned for over 20 years. I usually cycle to work every day, which for me is a 14-kilometre journey. Also love travelling around the word and experience new cultures.
I am a certified public accountant by education and responsible for the financial side of BTG Bioliquids B.V.

After tinkering with mopeds and motorcycles in high school I left to travel and work in Australia for half a year. Working for BTG BioLiquids we engineer pyrolysis oil production plants, train the client’s operators and then travel to site to help commission and start-up their plant. So today I can still combine these two passions of engineering and travelling the world. Once or twice a year I still work as a travel guide for an adventure travel company where we go out into nature to camp and hike in remote areas. Back home I enjoy going to Crossfit with my girlfriend, running in the forest with our dog and having fun with my friends. My guilty pleasure is my Alfa Romeo which, compared to my work, is not very environmentally conscious…

I was born and raised in a village near Rotterdam. As part of my study Mechanical Engineering I ended up in Enschede and have been living here for almost 25 years now with great pleasure. With my wife and three children, we really enjoy the combination of a nice city center with all conveniences and the “space” and nature in the surrounding Twente region.

As Technical Manager of BTG Bioliquids I have been privileged to develop the biomass fast pyrolysis process into a commercial scale unit. Where, as a child, a loved to create all kind of constructions with Lego, I can now do that with our modular, “big Lego block” design. I am very proud of what we have accomplished over the past years with only a small but dedicated and professional team. That we can leave a better world to our children at the same time makes it even more rewarding.

My name is Gerhard Muggen. I live in the lovely countryside of Twente in an old farm which was built in 1914. I am married, have two children and on the farm we have horses, donkeys, goats, dogs, cats and chickens. I have a passion for sustainability because I believe we should take care about the world we live in. We live with 3 families in the farm and we have almost zero CO2 emissions due to a wood gasifier for delivering heat and solar panels for the electricity. I have a hybrid car and my commuting traffic is done electrically with my own electricity and the green electricity in the office. I love to work as a carpenter at home and doing all maintenance myself like repairing the roof, connecting electricity, repair water piping, the fence of the horses, paving the roads etc., etc. All things which need to be done on a farm. All the wood which is needed for the gasifier is cut by me which keeps me fit. I love all kinds of music between classical music and Metal.

I am an electrical engineer by education, and I have worked all my career in the international energy sector in different positions, like project manager and marketing and sales manager. I am now combining my MD role within BTG Bioliquids with especially marketing and sales.

I am since 2010 product specialist at BTG Bioliquids. I start working in 1997 at our sister company BTG within the Research and Development department with several biomass conversion technologies (like (two stage) gasification, fluidised bed gasification, charcoal etc.) and especially the pyrolysis technology. As co-inventor of the pyrolysis technology I have seen the technology grow from lab to a commercially available technology. I was one of the main engineers in designing, implementing and commissioning the 5 t/h pyrolysis unit in Hengelo, The Netherlands. And I have hands-on experience and knowledge due to the fact that I was managing the pyrolysis unit during start-up and first operation. Therefore I am able to combine my process knowledge and operational experience into developing a functional and fully automated plant. I have developed skills in process automation during the years, which is very useful during commissioning. My main passion in my work is to get the plants running smoothly and training the operators. My other passion is music. I enjoy live music especially guitar based music like metal, rock and blues.

Berend van Rhijn acquired his Masters degree Chemical Engineering from Delft University of Technology in 1973 and worked througout his professional career with AkzoNobel. He started working as a project and process engineer and research coordinator and ultimately became Director process and manufacturing consultancy with AkzoNobel in Arnhem. He worked on a range of chemical processes, including the aramid pilot plant, chlorinated solvents upgrade, methane coupling, solvent recovery, etc.

Herman van Wechem acquired his PhD Physical Chemistry from the University of Amsterdam in 1976. Herman joined the Shell Group in The Hague to work in a range of positions. Herman has worked on the GTL (Gas-to-Liquids) technology development process in Bintulu, Malaysia and was Technology Manager of the large and complex Shell refinery in Pernis, The Netherlands. He joined Shell Chemicals as Technology Manager for Catalyst Research & Development and later became Global Manager Innovation & Research at Shell Global Solutions. Research and development areas included a.o.: biomass conversion into biofuels, new GTL concepts and catalyst end hydrogen production from renewable resources. A considerable part of the research activities were executed in collaboration with universities and knowledge institutes around the globe.

Paul Koppen de Neve acquired a Masters degree in Physics from Delft University of Technology in 1973 and a Bachelor degree in Business Economics from Erasmus University Rotterdam in 1976. Paul worked for three companies, AkzoNobel, Holec Systems & Components and UNA. For the first two companies he was production manager and product manager respectively. In his last job with power generation company UNA he was responsible as Statutory Director for the sale of UNA to Reliant Energy. With 700 million EUR turnover and 1000 staff UNA provided 25% of the Dutch electric power supply. Paul has valuable experience the chemical sector and the electric power sector.

Jac Eekhof took his PhD in Chemistry at the University of Groningen (NL) in 1978; joined Shell as a researcher in Amsterdam laboratories, but soon switched to technology and operations at various production sites and in various chemical processes. Jac’s move to Shell headquarters in The Hague/Amsterdam gave him the opportunity to lead technology groups worldwide; later on he managed a (sales and delivery) team which provided technical services in operations and maintenance in oil, chemicals and energy for Shell, Shell Joint Ventures and other (non-Shell) accounts around the world. In his last years with Shell he led several HR projects. Throughout his career Jac has been involved in many technological, managerial and organisational issues in various cultures, that had to be resolved locally and in a short term.

Henk Geut acquired a Masters degree in Chemical Engineering from Eindhoven University of Technology in 1976 and has been active in the chemical, (petro-)chemical and biofuels business since 1968. He started his career as process engineer. In his last position with Aker Solutions Henk has been active as Vice President Technology- New Technologies in the biofuels sector. Henk gained experience in a broad field of processes a.o. in Gas-to-Liquids, methanol to liquids, Natural Gas treatment and biofuels technologies. Henk combines fundamental process technology knowledge with business development and plant configuration experience.