Advising for chemical and technological development at SusPhos, a company developing sustainable chemical routes from waste phosphate to high-value products.

I'm driven by curiosity and have always had a passion for understanding chemistry and applying these insights. Pioneering, generating new ideas, finding and selecting the right ones and making them work have been my core occupation for the last twenty years.After a long career at Thermphos International, I am now working as consultant for the chemical industry. Some of my areas of competence include:- phosphorus chemicals (technical and commercial), product and process… Show more I'm driven by curiosity and have always had a passion for understanding chemistry and applying these insights. Pioneering, generating new ideas, finding and selecting the right ones and making them work have been my core occupation for the last twenty years.After a long career at Thermphos International, I am now working as consultant for the chemical industry. Some of my areas of competence include:- phosphorus chemicals (technical and commercial), product and process innovation- white phosphorus production technology, suitability of raw materials, energy optimization, advice for new phosphorus production operations- phosphorus derivatives production- phosphorus / phosphate recycling- phosphoric acid and phosphates production, product quality, production optimization; including rare earth extraction- new business development- reality checks for new ideas, projects and business opportunities- troubleshooting- phosphorus sludge (mud) abatement- environmental issues for phosphorus and derivatives production- sustainability, Cradle-to-Cradle Show less

The remediation of the former Thermphos International site is probably the largest industrial site cleanup in the Netherlands. This former white phosphorus production site contained a large array of complicated waste streams, often radioactive, pyrophoric, toxic, or containing asbestos - in some cases all in one material - and definitely non-standard. It ranged from a few supersacks to several thousands of tonnes of material. My job was to ensure that everything was recycled wherever… Show more The remediation of the former Thermphos International site is probably the largest industrial site cleanup in the Netherlands. This former white phosphorus production site contained a large array of complicated waste streams, often radioactive, pyrophoric, toxic, or containing asbestos - in some cases all in one material - and definitely non-standard. It ranged from a few supersacks to several thousands of tonnes of material. My job was to ensure that everything was recycled wherever possible, or disposed of in an environmentally safe way if needed, while adhering to all applicable legislation, and at minimum cost. Even though the amount of material kept growing to well above initial estimates over the course of the project, the total cost were about 50% less than anticipated. A fair fraction of the material could be recycled. I've also co-designed the disposal route for a phosphorus-containing waste stream - phosphorus sludge (mud), advised on environmental and regulatory issues, performed several analysis to minimize disposal cost, and co-negotiated the main contracts. The waste project was finished in time and well within budget. In addition I was a member of the project management team. Show less

Responsible for initiation and execution of R&D projects for a business unit of Thermphos International. Scouting and acquisition of new external developments in academia. Initiation and management of external research projects including project team management. Responsible for the strategic development and execution of a large-scale recycling project involving disruptive innovation. Free role in networking for the project and initiating contacts for raw materials acquisition. Invited speaker… Show more Responsible for initiation and execution of R&D projects for a business unit of Thermphos International. Scouting and acquisition of new external developments in academia. Initiation and management of external research projects including project team management. Responsible for the strategic development and execution of a large-scale recycling project involving disruptive innovation. Free role in networking for the project and initiating contacts for raw materials acquisition. Invited speaker at numerous conferences. Inventor on two patents. Project team member in several large development projects. Advisory senior chemist for production lines, customers and management. Key role as senior process engineer for production issues.I was also responsible for the mapping of all industrially relevant phosphorus derivatives, more specifically technology and market intelligence for phosphorus derivatives, including lubricant oil additives, flame retardants, extractants for mining and metals, (organo)phosphine chemistry, phosphonates, food and technical phosphates and phosphoric acid.Keywords: research, research contacts, phosphorus chemistry, phosphorus recycling - phosphate recycling and recovery, submerged arc furnaces, filtration, offgas treatment, wastewater treatment, supplier contacts, customer contacts, project strategy, Cradle-to-Cradle, sustainability.Due to the bankruptcy of Thermphos International my job there ended in January 2013. Show less

Responsible for all research for several production units. Responsible for research project initiation, execution, planning, progress checking and prioritation,. Cooperative leadership in a team of 4 people. Projects typically involved product quality, plant capacity and efficiency improvement, environmental issues, as well as chemical research (lab scale plus scale-up).Keywords: research, management, milling, granulation, drying, sintering, submerged arc furnaces, high-temperature… Show more Responsible for all research for several production units. Responsible for research project initiation, execution, planning, progress checking and prioritation,. Cooperative leadership in a team of 4 people. Projects typically involved product quality, plant capacity and efficiency improvement, environmental issues, as well as chemical research (lab scale plus scale-up).Keywords: research, management, milling, granulation, drying, sintering, submerged arc furnaces, high-temperature processes, filtration, offgas treatment, wastewater treatment, supplier contacts, coaching, planning. Show less

Responsible for the initiation and execution of investigations to improve the efficiency of several production plants and quality of the products. Team member of project teams to implement these improvements.