INNOVATION PLATFORM
[IND: Maastricht, September 8] The chemical industry is one of the driving forces in the Limburg economy and an important focus within a top technology region, and it’s not surprising that this industry is regarded as a major element in the Limburg acceleration plan: ‘Limburg on the way to 2012’. And the time has now come for the choices. Limburg is ready for a number of major projects from the chemicals cluster and this offers sustainable employment in Limburg. The industry will have a place on the Innovation Platform as one of the recognized key areas, joining flowers and food, high-tech systems and materials, water, and the creative industry. “The chemical sector, with its own knowledge base, economic activities and innovative thrust, is vital to the Dutch economy. It will have its place with flowers & food, high tech systems and materials, water and the creative sector. “Chemicals helps other sectors to perform better and creates new options for them,” says the Innovation Platform. Cooperation is a focal issue in the acceleration agenda — this is particularly the case with biomaterials on which the University of Maastricht, and the Maastricht University Hospital (AZM) and DSM are working closely together. In the period through 2012 EUR 100m will be invested in this area in Limburg. The Chemelot Chemical and Science Park in Sittard-Geleen will be the innovative center for high-tech and basic chemicals. New business will be developed on the basis of knowledge and industrial infrastructures existing in Meuse-Rhine. The Innovation Platform was set up in 2003 and its job is to select areas to develop, where the Netherlands innovative strengths will come to the fore.
On Wednesday, September 7, a decision was taken by the National Innovation Platform to recognize the chemical industry as a key area. This is special recognition for all of the effort and energy that Limburg and its partners had put into this cluster in recent years, says the Economic Affairs Deputy, Martin Eurlings.
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