The composition of the new Chemicals & Materials Sector Table has been determined. With this, the new administrative structure for the sector will be complete as of 2026. With the Chemicals & Materials Sector Table and the Sector Board, which has already been operational since January, a new strategic consultation is being established in which industry, the knowledge sector, and investors, together with the Minister for Climate and Green Growth, will shape the future of the sector and give substance to the targeted programs under the new focused industrial policy. The new structure is thereby intended to give substance to the renewed industrial and innovation policy. The focus lies on the investment climate and earning capacity. The Sector Table aims to strengthen preconditions and advises the Minister on priorities.
The Minister, who is also a member of the Sector Table, has appointed the following members for an initial period of three years:
- Gijsbert Bakker (Phoenix Metals)
- Patrick Bourguignon (AkzoNobel)
- Aukje Doornbos (Covestro)
- Jacqueline van den Ende (Carbon Equity)
- Frans Everts (Shell)
- Geert Jakobs (VDL ETG / VDL Groep)
- Guido Janssen (Nyrstar)
- Koen Janssen (TU/e)
- Michael Koenig (Nobian / Symrise AG)
- Hanna van Luijk (Neste)
- Albert van Maren (Fujifilm)
- Petri Mast (ETB Global)
- Hans Meeuwis (Cosun)
- Jacqueline Vaessen (voorzitter Sectorbestuur)
- Tom van Aken (Avantium, TKI Groene Chemie en Circulariteit)
- Tabitha Verburg (Dow)
- Thilo Mueller (Bosch Transmission Technology)
Strategic agenda for the sector
The sector table is chaired by the Minister for Climate and Green Growth. The first meeting will take place in the spring of 2026. The sector table focuses on themes that are decisive for the future of the chemical and materials sector, such as:
- green basic chemistry
- advanced materials
- cleantech and technology development
- circular and critical raw materials
- investments and business climate
Participants take part in a personal capacity and contribute their experience and perspective. The sector table advises on priorities and manages the preconditions necessary to enable investments and innovation in the Netherlands.
The national top sector approach has been discontinued. This new governance structure for the chemical and materials sector aligns with the renewed industry and innovation policy of the Ministry of Economic Affairs (EZ). More about the background and setup of the new structure can be read in the article “New structure chemical sector 2026”.
Sector table and sector board communicate under the current successful NL branding ‘ChemistryNL’.
