Eric de Bruin

Position: Professor
Professorship: Circular Entrepreneurship in Agrifood
Email: e.de.bruin@aeres.nl
Social media: LinkedIn

Eric de Bruin became the professor of Circular Entrepreneurship in Agrifood at Aeres University of Applied Sciences in Dronten in November of 2021. In his professorship, he applies his knowledge of and experience in organic raw materials and entrepreneurship. He gained his expertise while studying Biology at the University of Groningen and while conducting his doctoral research on proteins at Wageningen UR. After working in the industry for a long time, Eric became professor of Sustainable Proteins at Aeres University of Applied Sciences. Entrepreneurship plays a more prominent role in this new professorship. Because of this, he can apply the experience gained from his own business to education and research. In his own business, he processes waste streams of lime from the decompaction process of our drinking water production into a high grade source of calcium for cattle feed.

Every professorship is unique and this professorship focuses on the valorisation of waste streams from both the primary sector and the food production industry. A circular economy provides the best opportunities for an optimal upgrading of waste streams. For, in such an economy there is no waste and waste materials are treated as raw materials. Assimilating these ‘new’ raw materials optimally into a production system requires creativity, innovation and entrepreneurship. Last but not least, it is vital that the parties involved connect and work together.

In his career as a sustainable entrepreneur, Eric often played the part of connecting drivers, developers and purchasing parties. His focus is on the realisation of concrete projects and the development of new sustainable food products. In this way, over the last 20 years, he has turned himself into a specialist in animal and plant-based streams for the food and feed industries. In his professorship, he wants to further develop himself in both the themes of his professional field and his role as an educator of students and researchers. He invites anyone who is interested to contribute to the development of his professorship’s themes.