Trilateral Chemical Strategy
Trilateral Chemical Strategy
Cross-border cooperation between the Netherlands, Flanders and North Rhine-Westphalia.
The Trilateral Strategy for the Chemical Industry in the Flemish region, the Netherlands and North Rhine Westphalia
As one of the largest sectors globally, the chemical industry is a key supplier for numerous sectors of the economy, providing innovative solutions to today’s economic and environmental challenges.
The chemical industry also faces some fundamental challenges if it is to prosper and grow. The global competitive environment is changing drastically and the European chemical industry is facing strong headwinds from several competing regions, particularly China, India, Saudi Arabia and the US, leading to a slower projected growth through 2030.
Responding to these challenges and preparing for the future, the Flemish region, the Netherlands, and the federal state of North Rhine Westphalia presented a joint Trilateral Strategy “TRILOG” for the Chemical Industry in September 2017 containing in total 21 measures over three vertical policy fields and several options for concrete steps and actions to support a future growth of this flagship industry.
The three policy fields are:
Infrastructure
Transportation infrastructures and logistics are the backbone of the chemical industry’s tight supplychain integration (‘Verbund’) in the trilateral region. The availability and quality of all transport modes in the trilateral region is a significant asset, as production and consumption locations are spatially separated. Viable infrastructure is not only a critical precondition of efficient and effective logistics, but an essential feature for future investment decisions by industry as well. Maintaining and extending transportation infrastructures is essential for the future development of the trilateral chemical industry in the
globalised market. Future logistics need to be increasingly agile, flexible and adjustable to respond to market needs quickly and effectively.
Energy and Feedstocks
The economic performance of the manufacturing industry in the region is based to a large extent on the availability of raw materials. This applies especially to the raw material-intensive chemical industry, which is highly concentrated in the trilateral region. Therefore, the functionality of the industry is directly dependent on a continuous and reliable supply of raw materials. Although there will not be a shortage of carbon feedstocks from oil to gas until 2030 and crude oil will remain the dominant resource basis, there is certainly going to be a change in the composition of the raw material base in the medium-to-long term. Alternative feedstocks will gain importance and contribute to the further diversification of the raw material supply as well as the transition to a more sustainable chemical industry.
Research & Innovation
By leveraging and implementing new knowledge in the development of new products, processes and
services, companies in the chemical industry can open new markets and create the basis for sustainable employment, growth and profitability. The chemical industry is also an engine of innovation. Several other industries, particularly the automotive, electrical, machinery, and construction industries,
rely on innovations from the chemical industry to remain competitive. Therefore, the innovative capacity of the chemical industry is so important for the trilateral region.