Start a Business in the Dutch Chemical Industry

The Netherlands is among the largest providers of chemical services and products in Europe. The necessary materials are readily available or easily accessible, while the extensive national network for transportation facilitates travel on the continent and overseas.

If you are interested in establishing a company in the chemical industry of the Netherlands, please do not hesitate to contact our local incorporation agents. They will provide you with further information on company formation and investment opportunities in the country. You can also read this article for more information on the incorporation procedure.

Development of intelligent solutions and smart materials

The chemical industry in the Netherlands has adopted a methodical approach to finding solutions to the great challenges of society and, in particular, pays attention to 5 main areas: Resources and Climate, Food Security, Healthcare, Energy and Transport. Due to the multidisciplinary nature of the challenges, the sector works in collaboration with numerous other industries. The Dutch chemical sector has a platform aimed at connecting different stakeholders for the purpose of mutual creation of new solutions.

Similarly to other industries all over the world, the chemical industry in the Netherlands is facing the problem of depletion of resources. Natural sources are becoming increasingly scarce as a consequence of overconsumption or they are simply hard to find. The Netherlands is up to this challenge, as it can provide new opportunities and catalyze the shift towards more sustainable, greener chemicals. The current situation requires the utilization of more sustainable source materials that are also safer for the environment in the development of smart solutions and materials. Also, there is a need to adopt new processes with reduced formation of undesirable wastes and by-products.

Five significant contributions of the chemical industry in the Netherlands

1. Leading services and products

The chemical industry is among the leading sectors at a national level with significant contributions to the country’s economy. Holland is among the strongest providers of chemical services and products in Europe. The necessary materials are readily available or easily accessible, while the extensive national network for transportation facilitates travel on the continent and overseas. Also, the industry is taking important measures to become more sustainable.

2. Many leading companies establish their headquarters in the Netherlands

The country hosts sixteen of the top twenty-five chemical companies in the world, including Shell, AkzoNobel, BASF and DSM. Research is carried out at TNO and the universities of Delft, Twente, Wageningen and Eindhoven.

3. Competitiveness and collaboration among companies

The chemical industry in the Netherlands is competitive because of its integrated character. Companies trade with one another to purchase and obtain materials. Furthermore, they collaborate through partnerships with the government directed towards regional clustering, production and innovation.

4. Clusters of joint expertise

The chemical sector in the Netherlands is split into clusters combining specific expertise. For instance, in the south-eastern part of the country, there is a cluster directed towards materials with high performance, while the biotechnological branch has formed a south-western cluster. The companies supplying chemicals for biotechnological purposes are concentrated to the northeast.

5. Stakeholders work together to create innovations

The government, companies and universities collaborate in the development of new technologies, forming a stable chemical community. The sector works openly to create innovations. It achieves its goals through centres of chemical innovation where big companies, small businesses and start-ups work on innovative concepts and assess their feasibility. There are five such centres in the Netherlands: the Valley for Application of Green Polymers, Chemelot, Plant One, the Campus of Green Chemistry and the Biotech Campus. These companies share their expertise, services and infrastructure.