Merel and Willem of Btac Solutions: "Thinking green and switching requires passion"

Merel van Luijk-Jonkman and Willem Jonkman, owners of technology company BTAC Solutions, want to be the pioneers in the transition to a more sustainable future. For their own generation, but especially for future generations: generation Y, Z and even Alpha. Six years ago, therefore, they joined the
Techport network. Merel: "We are quite active within Techport. For example, we participated in the Hannover Messe and recently visited Brainport in Eindhoven. We also work closely with schools in the region, offer internships and participate in the Techport Technology Week."

Time for the next generation
BTAC Solutions is actively committed to innovation in addition to their regular work. Willem explains enthusiastically, "Time, or rather the lack of it, is a challenge. I find many things interesting, but my focus now is on the development of a green battery, which can replace the lithium battery. This battery is completely non-toxic, lasts much longer, is non-flammable and is made from recyclable materials from the region."

The battery is ready for production. The next step is to set up a factory, preferably in the IJmond region. "If successful, we can make a major contribution to Techport's mission to become the first green industrial zone in the Netherlands. Imagine if companies start using this battery en masse; then we will make huge strides in the energy transition. I would like to realize the factory and then I will slow down. I am now 65 years old. My sons are already in the business, but then they can take over completely! Although I doubt if I can do that: take it easy," says Willem, laughing.

Greenhouse of the Future
In addition to developing the green battery, Merel and Willem are also working on other projects, such as their own tomato cultivation in the "Greenhouse of the Future. This greenhouse is completely self-sufficient through the use of solar energy and is equipped with advanced technology that measures to the millimeter the right amount of water, nutrition and light for the tomatoes. Thanks to a UV system, the air is purified, so fungi and bacteria have no chance. This increases yields, prevents bad harvests and the grower has significantly reduced personnel costs.

Cooperation with Hogeschool Inholland Alkmaar
For this project, they worked closely with Hogeschool Inholland Alkmaar and Techport. "This is a great example of how different courses within the college work together," says Willem. "We had a group of students from mechanical engineering, electrical engineering and technical computer science who jointly developed an automatic tomato picking machine with smart sensors."

Engineering education needs boost
Still, Willem is deeply concerned about the influx of new engineering students, especially in electronics. "There is a glaring shortage, while electronics are all around us. From your phone to medical devices: it all contains circuit boards. It is essential that we enthuse young people about engineering, especially electronics, but the supply of training is scarce. I hope that in the future there will be a campus where engineering education gets a real boost."

Production line in Techport Innovation Centre
Merel adds, "In Eindhoven, they have the Tech Campus. Something like that would be great here too, but then focused on MBO students, because we need them the most. We give a lot of information to schools, but it often feels like a drop in the ocean." In the future, Merel and Willem hope to set up a second production line at the Techport Innovation Centre where they can give workshops on designing and producing printed circuit boards. "This way we hope to get young people excited about engineering," Merel said.

Techport is passionate about the transition and connects everyone in the region
For the next 10 years, Merel and Willem want to see more action from engineering education. "You feel there is a lot of potential in the region: the greening, the development of the third energy port and the off-shore industry. Through construction and maintenance of wind farms. But still too often initiatives remain plans and ideas. We really need to take action. You can slowly see that the number of students is increasing, but it is still not enough. Green thinking and conversion requires passion, and that includes risks. Techport is pre-eminently the party that can stimulate that and they can connect everyone in the region."