Green Chemistry Is at the Beginning
07-11-2024
The transition to green chemistry is now entering a competitive phase with traditional chemistry, according to TNO. "However, we are only at the beginning of the transition. There are still significant steps to be taken," says Arnold Stokking, chairman of the Green Chemistry Platform for the New Economy.
"The road to a sustainable society is challenging and difficult. There are three things we need to focus on together. We need the availability of raw materials, we require financing and new venture capital, and we need demand-side consumers to ensure that sustainable products are purchased. Together, we must figure out how to push fossil fuels out of the market."
Program for Start-Ups
The platform is focused on concrete measures for entrepreneurs. For instance, with the petition to the House of Representatives, it aims to stimulate demand for biobased raw materials and recycled materials. To unlock venture capital, the platform is launching a campaign where investors will finance first-of-a-kind factories with investments ranging from 20 to 50 million to assist them in scaling up. Additionally, the platform supports start-ups through the Green Chemistry Accelerator program to help them grow into fully-fledged companies, enabling them to build pilot plants and enter the market. Over the past two years, ten companies have been mentored, and this autumn, the next five will begin the program. Groene Chemie Nieuwe Economie is also working towards improving the availability of raw materials. "Waste must become a resource. Waste is a resource, unless," says Stokking.
