A transition with a level playing field - GCNE annual event gives boost for circularity in chemistry

Over 250 people from the chemical industry, policy makers, politicians and scientists were presented with the latest developments from the green chemistry front at the Spoorwegmuseum. According to GCNE chairman Arnold Stokking, the Netherlands has a wonderful chemical industry. ''But it is no longer enough. We need to innovate," he says. ''That will happen, we don't have to doubt that. The only thing we need to talk about is that it happens in the Netherlands. For our economy and for our children."

Getting chains with new and existing polymers circular 

Colleague Marc Spekreijse stood on stage next to Arnold to show that it is a joint transition; "In 'this' new system we are working together on the new value chains in the raw material transition, getting plastics circular from new and existing polymers and a fair playing field. The growth fund initiatives Circular Plastics NL and Biobased Circular are pulling together. There are of course differences but also a lot of common ground and overlap in which we can strengthen each other in accelerating the transition. We are not going to make it with recycling alone. We need new (bio)raw materials and new biopolymers and the ability to capture CO2 in the future and use it as a new source of carbon. All three are needed to start making it."

Recycled plastic not waste

Recycled plastic is now often labeled as waste by the government, which sometimes prevents it from being used as a new raw material. For example, in the food sector. During the conference, two reports "End of Waste Status" were presented to Jacqueline Vaessen of the Top Sector Chemicals and Gabriëlle Sogelée of the Ministry of I&W. These contain various recommendations to arrive at solutions. ,,We notice in the business community that there is a lot of uncertainty. [source: GCNE]

After the plenary introduction, there was plenty of room during one of the well-attended breakouts to explain both programs and Herman Wories (Biobased Circular) and Marc Spekreijse (Circular Plastics NL) were able to answer questions.