Plus Ultra III Wageningen: sustainable innovation

This blog is published as a chapter in the book by Jacques van Dinteren and Paul Jansen (eds.) ‘Organised Innovation Spaces’. Nijmegen: Innovation Area Development Partnership (2026). The book will be digitally available in autumn 2026.

On Wageningen Campus, the leading innovation ecosystem of the European agri-food community, Plus Ultra III stands as a symbol of sustainable development. It is the first laboratory building in the Netherlands constructed almost entirely from timber, providing space for start-ups and scale-ups. Kadans Science Partner demonstrates how sustainable ambitions, technological requirements, and collaboration come together. Plus Ultra III is more than just a facility: it embodies innovation for a sustainable future in both its design and its use.

Building on a proven ecosystem

Wageningen Campus is internationally recognised as a hotspot for agri-, food-, and biotechnology innovation. Here, the university, research institutes, start-ups, and multinationals collaborate daily to develop solutions to global challenges, including food security, the protein transition, and climate change. Kadans Science Partner invests and develops precisely in such places: locations where knowledge, talent, and capital reinforce one another.

The buildings Plus Ultra I and II have already laid a strong foundation. Plus Ultra III is the logical next step. The multi-tenant building offers around 8,500 m² of space for laboratories, pilot plants, and offices, specifically designed for start-ups and scale-ups engaged in applied research and innovation in agri-food. By bringing diverse users under one roof, a dynamic environment emerges where knowledge sharing and collaboration are second nature.

Sustainability as a foundation

For us, sustainability is not an afterthought but a core value. Wageningen Campus has a long-standing reputation as one of the most sustainable campuses in the world. Kadans aimed not only to meet this standard but also to exceed it with Plus Ultra III.

The building, designed by Proof of the Sum, is largely constructed from Cross-Laminated Timber (CLT), a material that actively sequesters CO₂ and significantly reduces the environmental impact of construction. This makes Plus Ultra III the first laboratory building in the Netherlands to feature both the main structural frame and timber floors. In addition, the façade features 100% recycled PVC from Pretty Plastics, which is a bold choice for a high-tech laboratory environment, but one that proves what is possible when all parties work closely together to embrace the challenge.

Flexibility and community

Plus Ultra III was designed with flexibility in mind. Spaces can be fully customised, from laboratories to offices. The ground floor accommodates pilot plants, while the upper floors vary in size and functionality. But the building is more than timber and layout. The atrium serves as the beating heart: the meeting place. Through networking events, workshops, and joint projects, the community is actively fostered. This not only strengthens the bond between users of the Plus Ultra buildings but also connects them to the wider Wageningen Campus community. Start-ups benefit from proximity to established companies and the university, while larger organisations gain access to fresh ideas and talent.

A notable example occurred in November 2025: the festive opening of Plus Ultra III. Attendees enjoyed unique insights into both the building and the work of organisations on campus, and met the first tenants of Plus Ultra III: Flavourtech, Fuji Oil, Yakult, and Samyang Foods. Alongside presentations and introductions, there was plenty of opportunity to network and get to know one another.

Connection is essential

Campus-wide connectivity is essential. This ensures that the building becomes an active part of the broader innovation landscape of Wageningen Campus. Here, science and entrepreneurship continually reinforce one another, accelerating innovation.

This is what Kadans stands for and why it further connects the location to its international network. By organising international events, Kadans also nurtures connections beyond the campus. Across Europe, Kadans already maintains a network of over 500 organisations.

Photo credits: Marcel van der Burg, Marcel IJzerman, and Zestien:Negen