ChemistryNL presented its investment agenda to the cabinet on October 1st. With the agenda in place, the parties are exploring which projects are ready for scaling up to 2030. This way, the requested two billion will serve as a concrete test for policy and the market. The agenda was presented in The Hague to the Directors General of Economic Affairs and Climate and of Green Growth. The document outlines how innovations can be accelerated towards production, with clear preconditions and collaboration between government, businesses, and knowledge institutions.
ChemistryNL presented an investment agenda with a capital requirement of approximately two billion euros by 2030. The funds are intended to scale up innovative chemical projects through pilots and demonstration projects. The goal is increased circularity and a stronger earning capacity for the sector.
The agenda outlines themes that are already gaining traction in the Netherlands. These include green and circular basic chemistry and knowledge-intensive materials. Examples include circular plastics, battery recycling, bio-based building blocks, and direct CO2 capture. The agenda thus focuses on projects that offer both environmental benefits and economic prospects.
Price tag of scaling up
The agenda calls for two billion euros up to and including 2030. This amount is needed to develop initial applications to a market-ready scale. These are pilots and demonstration projects that will bring the transition to large-scale production closer.
Scaling up in the chemical industry requires significant capital and has longer lead times. The agenda therefore advocates for a combination of private funding and public instruments that align with the risk profile of initial plants. This creates the space to make investment decisions and build new capacity in the Netherlands.
Scaling up the chemical industry directly affects circularity and the Netherlands' earning capacity. With greater capacity for innovative processes, the sector can more quickly deliver raw materials and products with a lower environmental footprint. Examples include applications in circular plastics and materials, battery recycling, and new building blocks for industry. This is the core of the agenda currently before the cabinet.
Next step towards 2030
The agenda has been submitted to the cabinet. Follow-up discussions will determine which projects are eligible for scaling up towards 2030. Permits, financing, and market security will play a role in this process. The follow-up should clarify which initiatives should be the first to be considered for decision-making.
Source ChemistryNL
