Let’s co-create the future of the chemical industry

Transition to sustainable chemical industry is possible

We are facing an enormous challenge in the transformation toward sustainability, as it involves the Netherlands, the chemical industry and value chains.

At present, contextual developments are moving fast, but actual greening is much slower despite many initiatives, and the climate cannot wait. This raises a public debate as to whether we should continue with large-scale chemistry in the Netherlands.

In this Brightsite Transition Outlook, we discuss chemistry’s importance to society and what large-scale sustainable chemistry may look like. All this shows that large-scale sustainable chemistry is possible in the Netherlands. Because we can also work from our own energy and carbon sources, it makes us geopolitically resilient and offers perspective for future generations.

Discover the Brightsite Transition Outlook

This new report offers in-depth insights into what it takes to secure a sustainable future for the industry, our economy, and the environment.

Explore BTO 2024

BTO 2024 outlines actionable solutions and highlights the need for collective action

Let’s start today with what is possible and accelerate

Arnold Stokking: “The chemical industry faces a massive challenge in transitioning toward sustainability, requiring a shift to CO2-free energy and renewable raw materials. This transition is vital to secure the future of one of the Netherlands’ largest industrial sectors, protecting tens of thousands of jobs and leveraging our world-class infrastructure. Despite challenges like high costs and policy uncertainties, the BTO outlines actionable solutions and highlights the need for collective action. It provides a roadmap toward large-scale sustainable chemistry, ensuring a resilient, green future for generations to come.”

René Slaghek: “This Brightsite Transition Outlook highlights the urgent need to replace fossil-based materials, which are integral to everyday life, with sustainable alternatives. At Chemelot, we explore how CO2-free production can maintain the availability of essential materials like nylon and PVC. By focusing on renewable sources such as air, biomass, and waste, BTO 2024 outlines the path to producing sustainable products without compromising comfort. This Outlook is a vital guide for transforming the industry and ensuring a resilient, green future.”

Explore BTO 2024

Visualizing a sustainable future: the transition to a circular chemical industry

The images in the Brightsite Transition Outlook visually convey the challenges and solutions for the transition to a sustainable chemical industry. With key visuals that clarify core concepts like a circular carbon economy, renewable energy sources, and the impact of reducing consumption, the BTO outlines a future where chemistry plays an essential but eco-friendly role in our daily lives. These images emphasize the need for circular production and renewable resources to reduce our dependence on fossil fuels and achieve climate goals.

Would you like to learn more about Brightsite’s vision for this crucial transition? Access the full visual scroll story online and discover how we can transform the chemical industry for a sustainable future together.

Access the full visual scroll story

Or download the concise PDF version 

Do you want to contribute to the transition of the chemical industry?

Brightsite is committed to achieving a sustainable, competitive chemical industry. To this end, we make an important contribution to the chemical industry’s transition to renewable energy and raw materials, with the aim of making the sector climate-neutral while preserving jobs.

Do you recognise yourself in Brightsite’s approach? Would you like to know more about how we view the transition in the chemical industry or would you like to work with us?

We would like to get in touch with you

This publication has been created with support from ChemistryNL and the Province of Limburg.

Proud partners | Sitech | TNO | Maastricht University | Brightlands Chemelot Campus

Also read BTO 2023: Collectively achieving climate goals and shaping a future sustainable circular economy

The second edition of the Brightsite Transition Outlook shows that the transition to a circular industry will be paired with scarcity: scarcity of green energy, of green raw materials and of industrial water. Where so far the energy transition in particular has received attention, the focus is now on the raw material transition. This BTO has been formulated for companies, research institutes, policymakers and support organisations that are collectively shaping the raw materials transition for the chemical industry. A fictional chemical complex, CHEM-NL, encompassing the entirety of the Netherlands’ ethylene and ammonia production, is shedding light on the requisite renewable raw materials and energy.

Download BTO 2023

News regarding BTO 2024