Strong Ecosystem, but Great Pressure on Energy and Infrastructure
The participants in the study – including site users, governments, and industry organizations – see Chemelot as a strongly integrated industrial ecosystem with unique advantages: close collaboration between companies, a strong knowledge base via the Brightlands Campus, and a favorable location in the heart of Europe.
At the same time, they are concerned about the future of the chemical industry in the Netherlands. High energy costs, grid congestion, and the lack of infrastructure for hydrogen and CO₂ mean that investments are being postponed or moved abroad. Without swift action on landings and connections, they warn, Chemelot risks literally and figuratively becoming disconnected from the network.
Important Role for the Province of Limburg
The Province of Limburg is seen by participants as an essential link in creating a future-proof Chemelot. The collaboration between the Province, companies, and knowledge institutions is considered valuable, but the industry expects continued investment in energy supply.
Conditions for a Strong Chemelot
To maintain Chemelots international position, targeted action is needed on three fronts according to participants:
- Affordable and sustainable energy – accelerated construction of infrastructure for electricity, hydrogen, and CO₂.
- Level playing field in Europe – comparable conditions and costs as in neighboring countries.
- Predictable and consistent policy – clarity on the long-term course of the Netherlands for the industry.
Deputy Stephan Satijn: “The industry at Chemelot shows that it wants to invest in sustainability. Our role as a Province is to ensure that this willingness is not lost due to uncertainty. We want to work together with companies, The Hague, and Brussels on a strong, sustainable, and future-oriented industrial cluster.”
About the Research
The stakeholder research was conducted by Bureau Malieveld on behalf of the Province of Limburg. Over thirty stakeholders were interviewed, including site users, governments, NGOs, and industry associations. The discussions took place in the summer of 2025.
