CCC1

The first CCC program ran from 2009 through 2013 and was implemented under the name CCC1. Under CCC1, more than 50 researchers were active in 12 work packages representing a program volume of €17.3 million and addressing the topics ‘Carbohydrates for Nutrition and Health’ and ‘Carbohydrate Conversion and Processing’.

As such, precompetitive research was carried out that could be immediately translated into products, technologies, methods and insights useful to businesses. The research topics represent subject areas and social issues at the forefront of public concern in the Northern Netherlands – and indeed throughout the country and internationally. These are Healthy Ageing (growing old in good health) and the Biobased Economy (an economy founded on making the most efficient use possible of ‘green’ raw materials) for sustainable societies and sustainable energy supplies.

Results of CCC1

The CCC1 program strengthened the competitive power of the Netherlands, with the development of successful new applications and high-grade products. Examples are new or improved carbohydrate fibres (child nutrition, reduction and mitigation of drawbacks of antibiotics use), slow-digesting carbohydrates for healthier diets (slow/low carbohydrates, combating obesity and adult-onset diabetes) and polymers from biomass (new precursor materials derived from beet pulp, for example, for the plastic bottles of the future).

CCC1 resulted in 9 patents or patent applications (including planned applications), and €27.7 million in attracted investments (a multiplier factor of 1.6), €10.3 million of which was from the participating companies (cash and in-kind), for new CCC research programs and continued deepening and valorization of CCC1 knowledge. Some 112 FTE were actualized, directly and indirectly related to the program. In addition, 99 new jobs were created by the CCC1 partners, with an additional, 60(at least) directly program-related jobs in the coming 4 to 5 years in programs to follow up CCC1. This does not even include the employment indirectly created, which has similarly been achieved. It’s safe to say that the CCC1 program generated, directly or indirectly, more than 270 FTEs.

Funding

The participating business enterprises and knowledge institutes: each group contributed 25% of the program costs in CCC1. The remaining 50% of the program budget was co-financed by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF); the Netherlands Ministry of Economic Affairs, Agriculture and Innovation; the Northern Netherlands Provinces Alliance; the provinces of Groningen, Fryslân and Drenthe; and the Municipality of Groningen.