Koen Janssen recently stepped down as Managing Director of Brightlands Materials Center and as a member of Brightsite’s steering committee. In this interview, he reflects on his time at Brightsite, shares his thoughts on transitioning to Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e), and discusses the Brightsite Transition Outlook 2024.
Looking back and moving forward
Koen Janssen (1964) earned his PhD in polymer chemistry from KU Leuven and spent 31 years at DSM, including 25 years in the southern Netherlands and the last three years in the United States. In October 2022, he returned to Geleen to take on the role of Managing Director at Brightlands Materials Center (BMC). In addition, he served on various consortia, steering committees, and research initiatives, including Syschemiq (European project for a circular plastics economy), Brightlands Circular Space (co-creation center for circular plastics), the R&D Hub for Plastic Waste Processing (a World Economic Forum initiative focused on sustainable plastic end-of-life processing), and Brightsite. As of March 1, 2025, Janssen will take on his new role as President of the Executive Board at Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e).
How do you look back on your time at BMC, and what are your thoughts on transitioning to TU/e?
“I look back with pride and gratitude. The past two and a half years have been fantastic, working with a young, dynamic, and diverse team. I’ve always emphasized the importance of generating impact, and I’m proud of the progress we’ve made, moving closer to the market and exploring whether a product or technology can be valorized. We’re even preparing our first spin-off.
After working in the industry for so many years, joining TNO was an adjustment, but a conscious choice. My passion lies in combining materials research, sustainability, and guiding a team towards impact. BMC is on its way to becoming a leading institute for circular materials, and I wanted to be part of that journey.
The opportunity at TU/e came my way, and I couldn’t pass it up, even though leaving the Brightlands Chemelot Campus (BCC) is not easy. TU/e feels like the next logical step in my career. After years in the industry and working with a knowledge institute, transitioning to academia feels like closing the circle. I am honored to lead a dynamic institution known for its central role in Brainport, a globally renowned high-tech ecosystem. I look forward to collaborating with my new colleagues to make a meaningful impact on education, research, and innovation.”
What was it like to be part of Brightsite’s steering committee?
“I’ve been involved in the Brightlands Chemelot Campus (BCC) ecosystem for many years and know how things work in this networked environment. At the end of 2022, due to organizational changes within TNO, the Brightsite steering committee needed a new TNO representative. Given my experience in Geleen, I was asked to take over, and I gladly accepted. It was rewarding to see discussions within the steering committee becoming more focused over time, which has significantly improved decision-making quality.
Now that Brightsite has completed its first phase, we can proudly look back on achievements like the Brightsite Connaction Event at the end of 2024. Additionally, we have charted a clear course for phase two, which starts this year, including a renewed partnership agreement with key Brightsite partners: Sitech Services, TNO, Maastricht University, and Brightlands Chemelot Campus.
Reflections on Brightsite’s progress
“What makes Brightsite unique is the collaboration between diverse partners, each bringing their own skills, expertise, and experiences. You can see that when competencies merge effectively—like in the Brightsite Plasmalab—great developments happen. That’s Brightsite at its best.
The recent shift from program funding to project funding has proven beneficial, as it aligns better with partners’ own roadmaps, increasing their commitment. The new Brightsite program will combine foundational topics (continuing previous programs) with new growth areas. We expect to define the exact focus throughout 2025, a crucial year. Long-term commitment (3-5 years) is necessary to determine whether a growth area becomes truly valuable. I hope some of these ‘gems’ will emerge and strengthen Brightsite’s foundation.”