The Dutch government must set up a venture fund of € 1 billion to support promising companies ('game changers') in green chemistry. Arnold Stokking, leader of the Green Chemistry, New Economy (GCNE) platform, made this call last week during the Financing the Transition event at the Brightlands Chemelot Campus in Geleen.
At the initiative of the GCNE platform, five regional development companies in the South and North of the Netherlands have conducted research into financing options for young, disruptive entrepreneurs over the past year. It became clear that there is insufficient money for greening chemistry. Although start-ups can claim various funds and schemes, there is insufficient support for the long-term scale-up processes that are required in the chemical industry for production at sufficiently high volumes. This concerns investments of up to €50 million.
Private investors are cautious, partly because national and European regulations are still in flux. Moreover, oil and gas are still too cheap alternatives for the time being. According to GCNE, all this justifies government support.
Financing the Transition took place on November 29 and 30 in Geleen. It was organized by Chemelot Circular Hub and supported by Green Chemistry, New Economy. The conference is important for realizing the Industry Transition to sustainable green manufacturing chemistry in the Netherlands.
For more information, visit the websites G.C.N.E en Chemelot Circular Hub.
The regional development companies involved are: LIOF (Limburg), BOM (Middle Brabant), Impuls Zeeland (Zeeland), Innovation Quarter (South Holland) and NOM (North Netherlands)
Source: Agro-chemical.nl
