Avantium N.V. located a new pilot biorefinery at Chemie Park Delfzijl, the Netherlands. Avantium and AkzoNobel have signed a contract for the pilot plant accommodation and the supply of various facilities and services. The pilot plant will validate the technical and economic feasibility of Avantium’s Zambezi process, which aims to convert woodchips and other second generation biomass into raw materials for the chemical industry. This is an essential step in scaling up the technology from lab to commercial operations. The pilot plant will be located at the Chemie Park Delfzijl, a part of Chemport Europe and is supported by the Groningen province. The plant is expected to be operational in the second quarter of 2018 with Avantium’s Zambezi project on track. This milestone achievement will lead to the employment of approximately 20 people. In February 2017, Avantium announced a partnership with AkzoNobel, Chemport Europe, RWE and Staatsbosbeheer for the development of a reference plant at the Chemie Park Delfzijl to convert woodchips to renewable chemical building blocks. This biorefinery will be based on a new technology that has been developed by Avantium. The Zambezi process aims for a cost-effective process for the production of high-purity glucose, lignin and a mixed sugar syrup from non-food, second generation biomass. The reference plant will predominantly use forestry residue sourced from the Netherlands.