Research institutes - AMIBM

Aachen-Maastricht Institute for Biobased Materials

The Aachen-Maastricht Institute for Biobased Materials (AMIBM) is a European, cross-border, research institute focusing on the development of advanced biobased materials. AMIBM designs, creates and translates biobased molecules, processes and materials into applications that outperform in functionality and sustainability for better living.

AMIBM is located in the Netherlands on the Brightlands Chemelot Campus in the Dutch Province of Limburg and has a branch office in Germany, and conducts innovative fundamental, applied and translational research by creating synergies between academia and industry.

Vision and mission

The AMIBM vision is to provide the missing links between fundamental, applied and translational research in the field of biobased materials, by changing the relationship between the production of biobased materials and the value circle. This will be achieved by developing an integrated, interdisciplinary research program focusing on novel strategies to produce advanced biobased materials and chemical building blocks in a sustainable and economical manner, and to develop these novel materials into innovative products for technical and medical applications.

AMIBM has a clear mission statement: 'to design, create and translate biobased molecules, processes and materials into applications that outperform in functionality and sustainability for better living':

  • To meet the need of biobased materials producing and using industries (SME and large industries)
  • To fulfil the obligations of the direct stakeholders (Province of Limburg, UM, RWTH Aachen University, Fraunhofer IME)
  • To take our responsibility for the society (legislators, students, scientific and public community)

The AMIBM-way to accomplish the mission is that:

  • We offer biobased innovations and solutions by creating outstanding cross border teams and synergistic core competences and infrastructure
  • We are committed to strive for excellence and building critical mass together with our customers along the value circle
AMIBM management

In its research offered by transdisciplinary competence teams facilitated by state-of-the-art research infrastructure, AMIBM strengthens every step in the value circle from biobased molecules, processes and materials into applications as well as the value circle as a whole by developing a common language and methodology between all experts from biotechnology, polymer chemistry and physics, material science and engineering, fibre and medical technology, and sustainability.

News

Sustainability assessment of the CARBIOW value chain that converts food waste into aviation and maritime fuels

In the CARBIOW project, Maastricht University is conducting a sustainability assessment of a novel value chain that converts food waste into aviation and maritime fuels.
CARBIOW logo

Appointments of Dr. Katrien Bernaerts and Dr. Jules Harings as full professor at AMIBM

  • Researchers
It is with great pleasure and proud to announce the recent appointments of Dr Katrien Bernaerts (per 1-2-2026) and Dr. Jules Harings (per 1-12-2025) as full professor at the Aachen-Maastricht Institute for Biobased Materials (AMIBM).
AMIBM logo Spheres connected by triangles

Thank you for celebrating this Milestone with AMIBM

On 4-5 February, I was very proud to celebrate with over 150 colleagues and friends the 10th Anniversary of AMIBM with a symposium: “A Decade of Biobased Materials.”
AMIBM logo Spheres connected by triangles

AMIBM: a decade of cross-border research: from project to institute

Ten years ago, an ambitious vision took shape: the Aachen-Maastricht Institute for Biobased Materials (AMIBM), a European, cross-border centre of expertise determined to revolutionise how we approach materials, sustainability, and innovation.
Brightlands Chemelot Campus

AMIBM hosts the final Realise-Bio conference

The Aachen Maastricht Institute of Biobased Materials (AMIBM ) hosted last week the third and final Realise-Bio annual conference , bringing together the Dutch and German bioeconomy ecosystems at the Brightlands Chemelot Campus .
People at a conference

A Brightlands institute

Brightlands is an open innovation community in a global context, connecting four campuses in the province of Limburg: in Maastricht, Heerlen, Sittard-Geleen and Venlo. The campuses provide entrepreneurs, scientists and students state-of-the-art facilities to support development, education, innovation and growth. Naturally, there are close links between all four Brightlands campuses, and together they enable Limburg to serve as an innovation region where researchers and entrepreneurs take on the major challenges in the areas of materials, health, food and smart services.

Brightlands logo