Communities all around the world are challenged by growing waste streams, high carbon emissions and the need for strong industries to create local jobs. Dutch businesses have the expertise to make manufacturing processes sustainable and circular. We partner with them as well as governments to cover the entire value chain – from the responsible origination of materials to their use, re-use and recycling if needed.
Products ending up on a landfill
Tons of plastic wasted by industry each year
Tons of C02 emissions in manufacturing each year
The world is challenged by its own consumption pattern. Many products are used only once and then disposed of leading to pollution. We are committed to reducing the need for virgin materials and the waste that comes with it. We support the businesses and foreign governments in this sector by focusing on three transition areas: circularity and waste, renewable materials and Industry 4.0
Technologies that reduce the use of materials, treat waste more sustainably, limit and recycle waste and/or create energy and renewable materials out of waste.
Reducing the need for fossil carbon in the entire value chain by transitioning to renewable sources of carbon.
The fourth industrial revolution, transforming industrial production towards more intelligent, connected and self-adjusting manufacturing technologies.
Circularity and waste: Compared with the linear economy – processes of take, make and dispose – the circular economy creates more local and meaningful jobs. Circular business models include the designing of goods to last longer and greater repairability. This can support the growing remanufacturing industry allowing for the easy recovery of materials when a product is eventually recycled. Also, organic waste can be recycled to become fertiliser that reduces the need for energy intensive artificial fertiliser.
Renewable materials: Fossil based materials intrinsically have a negative Carbon footprint. The transition to biogenetic, captured or recycled carbon sources will reduce the negative impact of consumption. So far, efforts to combat climate change have focused mainly on renewable energy and energy-efficiency measures. However, meeting climate targets will also require tackling emissions associated with manufacturing. Applying circular economy strategies to four key industrial materials (cement, steel, plastic and aluminum) could help reduce emissions by 40% in 2050.
Industry 4.0: Industrial efficiency increases manufacturing productivity, shifts economics and fosters industrial growth. This ultimately changes the competitiveness of companies and regions, which impacts on the goals of inclusive, sustainable economic growth, resilient infrastructure and sustainable industrialisation.
The transition to new, sustainable solutions and business models will need new forms of financing and valuation of assets. Our finance solutions help transitions to responsible manufacturing have a positive impact on the goal of ensuring sustainable consumption and production patterns.
In 2021, people in the EU generated an average of 35.9 kg of plastic packaging waste per person. Of this, 14.2 kg were recycled — a little under 40%. Dutch SME Envipco, a leading manufacturer of reverse vending machines and recycling systems for beverage containers, can help Europe substantially increase its recycling rate.
A €27 million loan to leading Ukrainian construction material company Kovalska Group supports the import of Aircrete Europe’s sustainable autoclaved aerated concrete (AAC) block production technology from the Netherlands to Ukraine. Thereby contributing to the ongoing reconstruction efforts in Ukraine.
