Since 2000 Emiel has been working on projects concerning sustainable soil, agriculture, food and biobased production.  Following his graduation in Energy and Environmental science, he started working as PhD student at the University of Groningen. After obtaining his doctorate he worked for CLM research and advice. In 2014 he made the transfer to Bioclear earth. Emiel is known for his expert knowledge, his practical ingenuity and his talent to combine seemingly unrelated issues. Besides working for Bioclear earth, he is also professor sustainable soil management at Van Hall Larenstein, University of applied sciences.

In his spare time Emiel restores an old farmhouse, build in 1904, in a sustainable way for multigenerational purposes.