The national top sectors approach will be discontinued in 2026. For the chemical sector, this means a new governance structure will be established that aligns with the Ministry of Economic Affairs’ (EZ) revised industry and innovation policy.
The Ministry of Climate and Green Growth (KGG) will launch the Sector Roundtable for Chemistry & Materials and the associated Sector Board for Chemistry & Materials on January 1, 2026. This new structure strengthens strategic collaboration within the sector and ensures the continuity of innovation and sustainable growth.
In October, Minister Hermans (KGG) published the Perspective for Chemistry, in which she outlines the future of a sustainable, competitive, and circular sector: a fossil-free basic chemical industry and a growing advanced chemical industry that develops high-quality materials for energy, high-tech, pharmaceutical, and defense sectors, among others.
Twice-a-year dialogue
The sector roundtable will be the central strategic meeting where executives from industry, the knowledge sector, private financiers, and government will meet with the Minister twice a year. Participants will meet in a personal capacity and discuss trends, challenges, and opportunities that will guide the future development of the Dutch chemical and materials sector.
The sector roundtable will meet for the first time in the first quarter of 2026. Members will be nominated. The Minister will announce the participating board members in January.
Sophie Hermans, Minister of Climate and Green Growth: “The chemical and materials sector is one of our most innovative and knowledge-intensive sectors. With the new sector board, we will strengthen collaboration between companies, the knowledge community, and the government, so that breakthroughs can reach the market more quickly.”
Top Team Chemistry to Become First Sector Board
The Chemistry & Materials Sector Board meets regularly. It prepares agenda items, translates signals into proposals, and follows up on agreements. The current members of the Top Team Chemistry were appointed by the Minister as the first sector board effective January 1, 2026: Jacqueline Vaessen (chair), Tom van Aken (Avantium), Moniek Tromp (RUG), and Karlo van Dam (KGG). The board will be renewed in phases starting in 2027. The new structure aligns with the Ministry of Economic Affairs’ industrial policy and complements the National Program for Sustainable Industry (NPVI). While the NPVI focuses on infrastructure and preconditions, the sectoral roundtable focuses on sectoral and economic development, such as investment climate, competitiveness, and talent.
The sectoral roundtable and sector board will communicate under the current branding, “ChemistryNL.”
