With this support, Brightsite will promote the development and commercial application of the technologies and corresponding education courses that will allow the chemical industry to meet the climate targets and bring about the energy transition. Brightsite is a partnership between Sitech Services, TNO, Maastricht University and Brightlands Chemelot Campus, and focuses on making the chemical industry more sustainable at the Chemelot site and other locations.
Creating a sustainable and competitive chemical industry is not just about a transition to sustainable energy and raw materials, but also the complete ‘greening’ of the business processes. “We are making an important contribution to the chemical industry’s transition to renewable energy and raw materials, with the aim of making this sector climate neutral and providing solutions for other sectors,” says Arnold Stokking, Managing Director at Brightsite.
Circular future
The subsidy from the Province is important for the next step in the development of a sustainable knowledge economy in Limburg. In this economy, the Brightlands campuses will occupy a central position and offer an open environment where entrepreneurs, researchers and students can innovate together. At the Brightlands Chemelot Campus – which focuses on new materials and new chemical processes – the relevant parties have joined forces to work toward a circular economy.
As Ruud Burlet, deputy of the Province of Limburg whose portfolio includes Sustainability, explains: “I believe Brightsite is a vital ‘hub within the hub’. I call on the Dutch government to take a close look at Chemelot for inspiration when it comes to allocating resources from the National Growth Fund to the national sustainability transition.”
“Government authorities, knowledge institutions and the business community need to combine their efforts to bring together researchers, thinkers and engineers and speed up innovation,” agrees Bert Kip, CEO of Brightlands Chemelot Campus.
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