King Willem-Alexander has appointed former LIFE Cooperative board members Ton Vries and Johannes Wolters as Officers of the Order of Orange-Nassau. The royal distinctions were festively presented by Mayor Roelien Kamminga of Groningen during the Life Science Conference of the LIFE Cooperative on Tuesday, September 23. The board and team of the cooperative are proud of this recognition, which honors the decades-long commitment and meaningful contributions of these leading figures in the Life Sciences, Health & MedTech sector in the Northern Netherlands—and far beyond.
Peter Ketelaar, Chair of the LIFE Cooperative Board: “We are incredibly proud of Johannes and Ton. Their dedication has truly shaped the Life Sciences, Health & MedTech sector, not only in the Northern Netherlands. Their commitment, expertise, and entrepreneurship have strengthened our cooperative and had a major societal and economic impact—both nationally and internationally!”
Johannes Wolters: connector and inspirer
For most of his career, Johannes Wolters has been committed to advancing the Life Sciences, Health & MedTech sector in the Northern Netherlands, with a strong focus on societal and economic impact. From 2000 until his retirement earlier this year, he was the sole owner of Lode Holding—a more than 75-year-old company that flourished under his leadership. With subsidiaries Lode, ProCare, aXtion, Umaco, and Omnium, the group annually produces hundreds of medical devices and software solutions that contribute to health and rehabilitation worldwide. Almost every Olympic athlete improves their performance with equipment from Lode Holding.
Johannes initiated the Wenckebach project and other large-scale collaborative initiatives, invested millions in innovative medical ideas for diverse target groups, and helped establish numerous spin-offs. His work has directly supported thousands of patients every day. Until recently, he was active in regional initiatives such as SSIG (Sport Science & Innovation Groningen), the LIFE Cooperative (as co-founder), and the Campus Trail, while also mentoring young entrepreneurs and startups.
The next generation has since taken over the family business. Annelies Wolters, CEO of Lode Holding and daughter of Johannes:
“My father has always dedicated himself to society and the well-being of others. Whether it’s medical innovation, supporting vulnerable groups, or inspiring young people in technology and science, his efforts have always been driven by responsibility, vision, and a deep sense of community.”
Ton Vries: international innovation from Groningen
For more than 35 years, Ton Vries has been a driving force in the Life Sciences & Health sector. From 2000 to 2020, he served as CEO of Syncom BV, which under his leadership grew into a successful spin-off of the University of Groningen. In 2017, he co-initiated the merger of Syncom and Mercachem, creating Symeres, a leading European contract research organization with over 600 employees worldwide.
Ton is the inventor of the Dutch Resolution, a method for efficiently separating chiral compounds. This breakthrough resulted in patents, publications, licensing agreements with DSM, and four PhD theses—solidifying the Netherlands’ international leadership in pharmaceutical crystallization technology and green chemistry.
He is also co-founder and CEO of BioBTX, a Groningen-based company with global impact that gives plastic waste a second life. Using its proprietary technology, residual waste streams are converted into valuable, circular building blocks for the chemical industry. The company is now preparing to build the world’s first circular aromatics plant in Delfzijl.
Ton co-founded the LIFE Cooperative, guided young entrepreneurs, and realized numerous groundbreaking projects. Personally, he is known for his no-nonsense attitude, boundless energy, and popularity among colleagues.
Robert Hof, former colleague at Symeres and LIFE Cooperative board member: “Ton is a true go-getter. When Syncom ran into trouble in 2008, he brought in new investors and rebuilt the company into the great success that Symeres is today. Ton is no-nonsense, not one for status or pretense. He doesn’t wear a suit—not even when Prime Minister Rutte or Queen Máxima visits. His company car? For years it was a 15-year-old Opel Astra, shared with the neighbor. With Ton, it’s always what you see is what you get. That directness and authenticity make him so beloved.”
Short CV’s
Career and Impact – Johannes Wolters
Roles & Organizations
1985: Joined Lode as Controller
1992: Conducted a management buyout with a partner from the then-American owners of Lode
2000: Became 100% owner and CEO of Lode; shortly after, founded additional companies and Lode Holding as the parent company. Between 2000–2025, led multiple acquisitions and participated in various ventures
2023: Next generation joins the company, solidifying Lode Holding as a family business
2025: Retired on May 1, passing leadership to daughter Annelies (CEO) and son Freek (CFO)
2014–2024: Co-founder & board member of LIFE Cooperative
Impact & Innovation
Produced over 1,000 medical devices, benefiting millions of patients worldwide
Projects spanning rehabilitation, sports, ADL equipment, prehabilitation & perioperative care
Co-initiated the Campus Trail running event with Campus Groningen (since 2017)
Sponsored scientific research and involved in initiatives such as Girls’ Day and student excursions
Societal Engagement
Mentored young entrepreneurs (>40 start-ups/year)
Volunteer at SSIG (Sport Science & Innovation Groningen), ~12 hours/week
Advisor and board member for RVO, Smitfonds, and juror in entrepreneurship competitions
Career and Impact – Ton Vries
Roles & Organizations
2000–2020: CEO of Syncom BV, growing the company from 30 to over 100 employees
2017: Merged Syncom and Mercachem to create Symeres, now with over 600 employees worldwide
Co-initiator of InnoLab Chemie, Cliq Swiss Tech, and BioBTX
2014–2024: Co-founder & Chair of LIFE Cooperative
2014–present: Board member of Campus Groningen
Current: Board member of PharmaNL
Innovation & Science
PhD in Organic Chemistry, 1996, University of Groningen under Professor Hans Wijnberg
Inventor of the Dutch Resolution method for separating chiral compounds
Patents, publications (e.g., Angewandte Chemie), DSM licensing, 4 PhDs supervised
Impact: more efficient and sustainable pharmaceutical production, strengthening Dutch expertise in pharmaceutical crystallization technology
Societal Engagement
Mentor and coach to young entrepreneurs and colleagues
Delivered notable projects within LIFE Cooperative
Personal reputation: no-nonsense, energetic, determined, highly respected by peers
Athletic: maintains daily long-distance running
With the launch of LIFE Capital, the Northern Netherlands gains a powerful collaboration platform that brings together companies, talent, and knowledge institutions in the fast-growing Life Sciences & Health sector. During a special launch dinner on Tuesday, November 25 at LIFE Cooperative member Polyvation on the Groningen Campus, not only was the new brand unveiled, but an ambitious vision for the future was also presented. LIFE Capital, formerly LIFE Academy, marks the next phase of the LIFE Cooperative: shifting from a focus on training alone to a broadly supported collaboration platform for human capital. “With LIFE Capital we are taking the next step in strengthening our sector,” says Melloney Dröge, board member of the LIFE Cooperative. “We are bringing companies, talent, and knowledge together into one ecosystem where growth, learning, and innovation go hand in hand. We are aiming for a joint approach to the human capital challenges of our sector. In this way, we are building a region where you can truly move forward for a lifetime, literally and figuratively.”From LIFE Academy to LIFE Capital The transition from LIFE Academy to LIFE Capital is more than a name change. The new brand reflects the organization’s growth and its ambition to look beyond training alone. LIFE Capital will become the linchpin of human capital in the Life Sciences & Health sector: it connects talent, companies, and knowledge, accelerates collaboration, and strengthens the position of the Northern Netherlands as a breeding ground for innovation and talent. A long and healthy life: that is ultimately what Life Sciences & Health is all about. Thanks to innovations from companies in this sector, diseases are detected sooner, treated more effectively, and sometimes even prevented. From breakthrough therapies to keeping healthcare affordable and accessible, the business community acts as the engine behind life-changing progress. LIFE Capital aims to strengthen that foundation by investing in people, knowledge, and collaboration. “LIFE Capital helps companies move forward, but also strengthens the image and visibility of our sector,” says Sven Stielstra, Manager of LIFE Capital. “In this way, we show what Life Sciences & Health truly stands for and make the sector attractive to new talent and innovative companies. Over the next ten years, we will attract €50 million for human capital. In this first year alone, we have already realized €6.6 million through regional and national funds.”Looking ahead: recruitment campaign and pilots in 2026 Today, the day after the launch dinner, LIFE Capital’s recruitment campaign begins. This campaign focuses on attracting participants for the first pilot modules, which will start in spring 2026. These modules were developed thanks to an intensive and unique collaboration between Hanze, UMCG, and various companies within the sector. By combining knowledge and practical experience, top-notch programmes have been created that will be tested in the coming period. After the pilot phase, the modules will be further developed and made more widely available later in 2026 to everyone in the Northern Netherlands who wishes to contribute to a strong Life Sciences & Health ecosystem.About LIFE Capital LIFE Capital is the collaboration platform of the LIFE Cooperative, a network of more than 60 companies in the Life Sciences & Health sector. The platform connects organisations around shared human capital challenges and develops solutions that attract, develop, and retain talent. What started ten years ago as separate initiatives within the cooperative has grown into a strategic programme in which companies, knowledge institutions, and governments work together on a structural basis. With activities ranging from joint training and HR networks to new educational programmes and labour market research, LIFE Capital works towards one goal: a strong, agile region in which talent in life sciences & health can continue to grow with the right skills. Move people forward.About LIFE Cooperative The LIFE Cooperative stimulates innovation in the life sciences by facilitating collaboration between entrepreneurs, researchers, and investors. Through various programmes and events, LIFE promotes the development of technologies that improve health and well-being. The cooperative represents more than 60 companies in the Northern Netherlands, ranging from ambitious startups and innovative SMEs to international players. Together, they represent approximately 5,000 FTEs and a turnover of €500 million.
Accelerating Sustainability in Healthcare Paulina Snijders, member of the UMCG Executive Board, and Bart Volkers, director of the Circular Groningen Drenthe Association (VCGD), opened the executive network meeting. They emphasized the importance of cooperation between all partners. Artist Maria Koijck delivered an inspiring keynote on visualizing hospital waste. UMCG Chief Green Officer Schelto Kruijff outlined opportunities to accelerate sustainability in healthcare, sharing inspiring examples such as the use of a washable, reusable insulation gown. Project leaders Sven Jurgens and Femke van der Zant described how the consortium has significantly developed in recent times.Various Work Packages The executives exchanged extensive experience and knowledge, and the Care2Change work package leaders presented posters. The work packages focus on areas such as redesigning single-use healthcare products and mapping the CO₂ emissions of products. Sven Jurgens said: “Care2Change is the starting point for continued collaboration on making healthcare more sustainable. How valuable it would be if, through this collaboration, we could provide a blueprint for others to inspire them to go green as well.”Northern Netherlands as an Example Hanneke Bouwsema, secretary to the special government representative for the circular economy at the Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management, emphasized the importance of starting small and recognizing the sustainable initiatives that are already working well. She described the Northern Netherlands as a “role model” for The Hague when it comes to making healthcare more sustainable.About the Care2Change Consortium Care2Change is a collaboration between UMCG, University of Groningen, Martini Hospital, Sterinoord, GS1/EAN Netherlands, Boikon, Ommelander Hospital, Treant, Frisius MC, NHL Stenden, Hanze University of Applied Sciences, Circular Friesland Association, LIFE Cooperative, Circular Groningen Drenthe Association, Green Chemistry Drenthe Business Network (SUSPACC), Milieuplatform Zorg, Nij Smellinghe, Pezy Product Design, 8D Games, House of Design, Antonius Hospital, NOM, Menzis, De Friesland, Ecoras, BBENG, the provinces of Groningen and Drenthe, and the municipalities of Groningen, Assen, Leeuwarden and Emmen. The project is partly funded by SNN’s ERDF resources, with co-financing from the participating organizations.More Information Want to know more about Care2Change and the consortium? Read: UMCG trots op nieuwe samenwerking die uitstoot terugdringt: Care2change Source article: Care2Change
Recently, the LIFE Cooperative, together with the University Medical Center Groningen (UMCG), has been working hard on submitting projects to PharmaNL.
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