Primus Wafer Paper Nominated for the Zaanse Ondernemingsprijs 2026
Bas Bibbe | Oostzaan. June 29, 2026
We are very proud to share that Primus Wafer Paper has been nominated for the Zaanse Ondernemingsprijs 2026. For our team in Oostzaan, this is a special moment. We are a relatively small and personal company, but our wafer paper, edible paper and edible wafer paper find their way to customers all over the world. This nomination feels like a wonderful recognition of the work we do every day: producing high-quality edible paper products, developing new ideas and working closely with our customers, suppliers and people in the Zaan region.
Primus Wafer Paper Nominated for the Zaanse Ondernemingsprijs 2026
We are proud to announce that Primus Wafer Paper has been nominated for the Zaanse Ondernemingsprijs 2026, one of the leading business awards in the Zaan region. The nomination was officially announced during the annual Haring & Seafood Party of De Corner at Lab-44.
Together with Krijgsman Watersport and CuraMedical, Primus Wafer Paper is one of the three companies nominated for this prestigious entrepreneurship award.
-Marcel on the left and Isabelle second from the right, together with the fellow nominees from Krijgsman Watersport.
For Primus, this nomination is a wonderful recognition of our continuous growth, innovation and dedication to producing high-quality wafer paper, edible paper and edible wafer paper for customers all over the world.
The nominated companies are assessed on several important criteria. A nominee must have its main office in the Zaan region, employ at least 10 people and be financially healthy. The selection process also includes a financial assessment.
In addition, the jury looks at socially responsible and locally involved entrepreneurship, preferably within the Zaan region. This may include support for sponsorship, sports, culture, events, volunteering and other community initiatives.
Inventiveness, innovative strength and a future-oriented vision are also important criteria. The jury considers how a company is developing towards the future, including areas such as sustainable entrepreneurship, continuity and business succession.
Other key aspects include excellence within the company’s own industry or field, responsible personnel policy, employee involvement and the way management supports the recruitment, retention and development of staff. The enthusiasm, drive and entrepreneurship of the company’s leadership also play an important role.
The announcement also marked the official start of the renewed Zaanse Ondernemersdag, which will take place on Wednesday, 3 September, at Lab-44. This year’s event will have a new festival-style format, bringing together inspiration, knowledge sharing, networking and the celebration of entrepreneurship.
The theme of this year’s Zaanse Ondernemersdag is “Morgen Meer Verdienen”, which is about much more than financial growth. It focuses on creating long-term value by investing in innovation, employees, customer relationships, sustainability and personal development.
On behalf of Primus Wafer Paper, Isabelle Buitenom and Marcel Steenbrink attended the festive announcement. They were delighted to represent the company and proudly celebrate this special nomination with other entrepreneurs from the region.
Founded in 1916 by the Zaanse Pel brothers, Primus Wafer Paper has grown into an international producer of wafer paper, edible paper, edible sheets, printed wafer paper, edible labels and other innovative applications based on traditional Dutch potato starch.
From our BRC AA+ certified factory in Oostzaan, around 80 employees work day and night to produce high-quality, food-grade potato starch wafer paper for more than 200 customers in 50 countries.
Our products are used by bakeries, confectionery companies, industrial food producers, cake decorators and private label partners worldwide. Whether it is edible paper for cakes, wafer paper for confectionery, edible labels, custom printed wafer paper or innovative sweet and sour candy paper, Primus continues to develop new applications for the international food market.
Since the beginning, Primus has worked with biobased raw materials. Our edible wafer paper is based on potato starch and is a strong example of how traditional craftsmanship and modern food innovation can go hand in hand.
Innovation remains one of the driving forces behind our company. In 2025, Primus won the international ISM Award with its super sour candy paper. This innovative edible paper product is now available under private label in more than 10,000 supermarkets across Europe.
We are very proud of this nomination for the Zaanse Ondernemingsprijs 2026. It is a great acknowledgement of the hard work of our entire team and of our ambition to keep growing as a leading international manufacturer of wafer paper, edible paper and food-grade edible paper solutions.
We would like to thank the jury for this recognition and congratulate the other nominees. We look forward to an inspiring Zaanse Ondernemersdag and the award ceremony in September.