Last week, a Chinese delegation of company representatives and professors visited the Netherlands, led by the Chinese Ministry of Science and Technology and the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC). A policy dialogue, company visits and a mini-symposium were part of the programme of the mission.
With a focus on green chemistry and circular plastics, the dialogue was organised with the Ministry of Climate Policy and Green Growth and the Ministry of Economic Affairs, during which government policies and initiatives from both countries were shared. Director-General Business Policy and Innovation Erwin Nijsse and Deputy Director-General for International Collaboration Zhang Ye of MOST (Chinese Ministry of Science and Technology) kicked off the dialogue, outlining the priorities for collaboration. After a welcome from ChemistryNL Chair Jacqueline Vaessen, Deputy Director of Sustainable Industry Maarten Neelis presented Dutch policies for a sustainable and circular industry. Team Lead for Sustainable Industry Mark Schmets and Senior Policy Officer Floris Lantzendorffer presented the Dutch perspective on international science and technology collaboration. Guo Jiaxu from the Administrative Centre for China’s Agenda 21 (NSFC) presented the Chinese perspective on sustainable industry and collaboration. After sharing the different policies, Integration Director Tom Mathysen highlighted the Dutch pilot project Aramis. The dialogue was moderated by Mark Schmets and Frank Groenen.
Although government policies in the Netherlands and China differ, both countries clearly share a commitment to a sustainable and circular future.
Focusing on green chemistry and circular plastics, the delegation gained insights into Dutch developments and the broader ecosystem through various visits. The visits began in Emmen, where GETEC Emmen presented its Greenwise Campus and other initiatives. Subsequently, the delegation visited the demonstration plants of Paques Biomaterials and SENBIS. The day continued at Chemiepark Delfzijl, where Nobian presented its salt operations. Following a park tour, the delegation visited the BioBTX pilot plant at ENTRANCE.
A mini-symposium on green chemistry and circular plastics was organized at the University of Groningen. Hosted by Moniek Tromp and moderated by Jacqueline Vaessen, Dutch experts such as Gert-Jan Gruter, Herman Wories, Marc Spekreijse, Katja Loos and Francesco Picchioni shared insights on these topics. Several Chinese delegation experts presented the Chinese perspective as well.
The mission programme concluded on Friday in Heerenveen, where NTCP presented its initiatives, sparking a lively discussion among the delegation about opportunities in the Netherlands.
This Chinese mission to the Netherlands was organized as a follow-up to the Dutch mission to China last September. The programme was developed by ChemistryNL and NIN China.
