Who we are
We are an international consultancy for nature-smart renewable materials for retail packaging and products. By renewable, we mean bio-based, bio-waste, CO2-based and recycled (bio)materials. We refer to these as ‘renewable carbon materials’. Our services have an added emphasis on prevention of microplastics.
What we believe
In a world where plastics are only collected and recycled in less than 20% of the countries, recycling alone is not enough. We believe that for an environment and society free of harmful waste and microplastics, we need to develop smart nature-positive materials for our packaging and products. Preferably with multiple end-of-life options: recyclable wherever possible, but biodegradable if needed. Traceless for next generations.
What we do
With an international team of sustainable materials experts, we provide insights and advise and we develop circular concepts and strategies for sustainable packaging and products. We also connect the dots in value chains.
We are located in the Bioplastics Hub in Amsterdam. The Bioplastics Hub provides an overview of innovations in fossil-free materials for retail packaging and products.
Because we operate completely independently, we can advise without any conflicts of interest.
Team
Founder & CEO
Driving force behind Green Serendipity is Caroli Buitenhuis, bioplastics and circular packaging expert. With 20 years of experience, she has a proven and award-winning track record in bioplastics, biobased materials, circular packaging & products and in developing innovative circular concepts and strategies. Caroli is a trained packaging expert and has effectively implemented various retail packaging and concept innovations. Microplastics prevention expert. Judge of the EU & NL Packaging Sustainability Awards. Lecturer on sustainable packaging. Board member of the Packaging Association. Writer of articles and event organizer on bioplastics for circular packaging and products. Caroli is based in Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
Caroli Buitenhuis is/was also the initiator of (among others):
- Bioplastics Hub
- BiobasedPackaging.NL
- Holland Bioplastics
- TassenBol (founder of first circular concept on plastics in EU)
Associated experts
Jan is Senior Consultant Biopolymers specialized in PLA and PHA. He works for global companies in chemical and agricultural businesses, bio-refineries, OEMs, investment and consulting companies. He wrote global bioplastics review papers, is co-author of a bioplastics book for SMEs, is also co-author of a global bio-based polymers and monomers study of the Nova Institute. Previously he also was a visiting professor on Biopolymers at several universities in Europe and in China. Jan is member of the Scientific Advisory Board of the Aachen Maastricht Institute for Biomaterials. Jan is located in The Netherlands. (Photo Bioplasticsnews)
Reinier is an expert in technologies that turn waste (plastics, biomass and CO2)
into building blocks for Renewable Carbon Plastics. He has a strong focus on
implementing science-based sustainable solutions within an industrial
setting.
He holds a Ph.D. in solid-state chemistry and has a background in organic
chemistry. With a rich industrial background at DSM, where he served as an
industrial scientist and led the global R&D organization of the Resins Business
Group, Reinier brings extensive experience to the table. Currently, he is making
significant contributions as a Principal Consultant Industrial Transformation at
TNO. Reinier is located in The Netherlands.
Harald is the former chairman of the European Bioplastics Board and was an early pioneer in the area of bioplastics, already since 1992. He is a service provider for the bioplastics and biodegradable polymers industry worldwide and has direct links to a wide variety and a big number of players on all continents. From raw materials to recovery, from research to marketing and distribution, from
chemical processes to finished products: Harald developed valuable know how in industrial projects and collaborations. He is in close contact with decision makers and performed studies for public commissioners. Strategic consulting is one of his assets. Harald is located in Berlin, Germany.
Sandeep holds a Ph.D. in Polymer Science and is a technical consultant for sustainable developing and footprint improvement of retail packaging, including deep understanding of biobased coatings and additives. He gained his experience at large packaging companies such as PepsiCo, International Paper and Georgia Pacific. Sandeep is also part of the core team of Ubuntoo: an international platform with focus on providing solutions for plastic waste and litter. Sandeep is located in the United States.
Allan has worked with polymers for more than 20 years. 9 of these years he worked for LEGO, where he worked on scouting of potential sustainable materials for the future bricks. He worked with various processing technologies and has an extensive knowledge on the different polymers and additives/fillers that can be used to modify them. He has a lot of experience with recycling of plastic – especially post consumer materials like recycling old fishing nets into re-granulate. Allan has a Master of Science in Chemical engineering, a bachelor in Business administration, an executive MBA in Technology management and is located in Denmark.