Maarten van der Zee

Maarten van der Zee is a Researcher in Sustainable Chemistry and Technology at Wageningen University & Research (WUR), Netherlands, holding a Dutch engineering doctorate (dr.ir.). He leads multiple active projects including MINAGRIS (2024-2026) and BIOTTEK (2024-2026), focusing on biodegradable plastics for agricultural and horticultural use.

His research centers on biodegradation mechanisms, microplastics accumulation modeling, and polymer blending for environmental applications. Key interests include:

• Biodegradable polymers (polybutene, polylactic acid, PHBV/PBS composites)
• Microplastic fate in agricultural soils
• Circular plastic use in open-field farming
• Biodegradability standards for compostable plastics
• Green chemistry for biobased materials

Recent publications (2024-2025) reveal a strong emphasis on predictive environmental modeling and polymer-soil interactions, with articles analyzing microplastic accumulation in natural settings and disintegration rates of blended biodegradable plastics. His work prioritizes practical solutions for plastic pollution in farming ecosystems.

Van der Zee actively leads significant research grants:

• MINAGRIS (EU21036, 2024-2026): Micro- and Nano-Plastics in Agricultural Soils
• BIOTTEK (EU24073, 2024-2026)
• MINAGRIS (EU-21036, 2021-2025)
• GoChem (KoM21010, 2021-2023)
• Management Circular and Biobased Performance Materials (1-3A-7, 2020-2021)

His team operates within Wageningen Food & Biobased Research, developing biodegradable sensors and plastic alternatives for horticulture through the PLANtAR project and EU-funded initiatives, with extensive collaboration across Dutch agricultural institutions.