Zeeland: without industry, no chance of a sustainable future for the region

In short:

• Industry in Zeeland is currently under severe pressure and without intervention, companies, jobs, economic security, and opportunities for a sustainable future and living environment will disappear.
• Investments are currently being held back by uncertainty about infrastructure, policy, and competitiveness, while time is running out for Zeeland 2050.
• Politicians must take action now to ensure a competitive investment climate, robust energy infrastructure, faster permits, and long-term security.
• A Zeeland coalition of employers, employees, governments, ports, educational and knowledge institutions, and social organizations is ready to shape the transition and the future-proof cluster, but national politicians must create the right conditions to make this possible. 

“If we allow industry in Zeeland to disappear, the region will lose its socio-economic foundation and significant opportunities in the field of sustainability.”

The realization and preservation of a future-proof industry in the Scheldt Delta region, which is crucial to regional prosperity and the living environment, as well as to the national economy and energy transition, is at stake. A broad coalition of employers, employees, governments, ports, educational and knowledge institutions, and social organizations in Zeeland is sounding the alarm in The Hague for action. Without intervention, companies and investments are at risk of disappearing, with far-reaching consequences for employment, broad prosperity, and the sustainability of the region.

Industry in the Zeeland region supplies essential products, provides a large part of the national energy supply, and plays a key role in achieving climate goals. Zeeland offers unique opportunities: the largest hydrogen cluster in the Benelux, offshore wind capacity, the only Dutch nuclear power plant, and ambitious plans for green and circular production. However, crucial investments are currently being held back by uncertainty about infrastructure, policy, and competitiveness.

Jo-Annes de Bat (Deputy for Zeeland): "The current situation not only puts billions in investments at risk, but also the ambitions and opportunities in the areas of sustainability, improving the environment and living conditions, employment, and thus the Zeeland economy. And that could put pressure on the quality of life throughout Zeeland. The Netherlands can take advantage of enormous opportunities by strengthening and maintaining a future-proof industry in the region."

Maarten den Dekker (Director of Smart Delta Resources NL): "The broad Zeeland coalition is ready to shape the transition, but is asking The Hague to create the right conditions. Politicians must now demonstrate that sustainability and a strong industry can go hand in hand, in line with the spirit of the recent Clean Industrial Deal from Brussels. Without action, not only industry but also the opportunities for a sustainable future in Zeeland are at risk of being lost.”