News item | 6/30/2023 | 2:48 pm
Circular batteries and solar panels, 6G, radio frequency technology and climate-neutral ships. These and other innovative projects by companies, knowledge institutions and governments form the basis for the Netherlands to continue to lead the way in technological (manufacturing) industry and sustainability. As part of the investments (4 billion euros) from the third round of the National Growth Fund announced today by Minister Micky Adriaansens (Economic Affairs and Climate), 2.6 billion euros will go specifically to research, development and innovation in the field of climate , energy, high tech, digitization and healthcare.
Thanks to investments from the previous two rounds of the National Growth Fund in 2021 and 2022, the Netherlands can already focus specifically on promising innovations by entrepreneurs and researchers, such as quantum technology, regenerative medicine, infrastructure for health data, artificial intelligence, hydrogen/green chemistry, high-tech materials. , key technologies such as photonics, start-ups in the pharmaceutical industry and making the aircraft industry more sustainable.
The projects have been submitted to the assessment committee of the National Growth Fund by various ministries, including Economic Affairs and Climate (EZK), whether or not in collaboration with companies and knowledge institutions.
Investments in innovative projects third round National Growth Fund
Circular Solar Panels (€412 million, of which €277 million conditional)
The sun plays a key role in the energy transition. Researchers, suppliers of the starting materials, construction and automotive companies: they are joining forces to ensure that the next generation of solar panels is developed here in a fully circular manner. By working together with the entire chain, scaling up is possible more quickly. This contributes to the energy independence of both the Netherlands and the EU.
Circular batteries from less-critical raw materials (€296 million, of which €118 are conditional and €178 million are reserved)
Innovative batteries are indispensable for the energy transition and reducing economic dependence. Dutch large companies, SMEs, start-ups, scale-ups, knowledge and educational institutions are working together on circular battery systems that are built from alternative and non-critical raw materials. In 2030, the Netherlands wants to be a leader in this.
Biobased Circular (€338 million, of which €102 million conditional and €236 million reserved)
A faster transition from fossil raw materials to bio-based raw materials will enable the Dutch plastics industry to make the transition to producing circular plastic. This is important for the climate challenge and enables the Netherlands to set up an innovative industry branch.
Maritime Masterplan (€210 million, of which €110 million conditional)
The goal of the Maritime Master Plan is to develop, build and operate at least forty reliable, competitive and modular climate-neutral (demonstration) ships in the Netherlands. The Dutch maritime industry wants sustainable ships with this, by supporting the development of innovations. The proposal can help the sector to make an energetic transition to sustainable energy carriers and ships.
6G infrastructure and applications (€203 million, of which €61 million conditional and €142 million reserved)
Worldwide, preparations for innovative applications of 6G mobile communication technology are already in full swing, with an expected launch around 2030. This proposal aims to put the Netherlands at the forefront of these developments, and focuses on the development of intelligent components, networks and applications for 6G that ensure the next generation of reliable and secure mobile networks.
Delta plan valorisation (reservation of €417 million)
The Netherlands is one of the top three European countries in terms of knowledge creation, which is an exceptionally strong asset. A weak point of Dutch researchers and entrepreneurs, however, is bringing this knowledge to the market (valorisation), partly due to a lack of (venture) capital and insufficient cooperation between education, knowledge institutions and entrepreneurs. This project addresses this point with the aim of getting the Netherlands into the top three European countries in terms of valorisation.
Holomicrobiome (reservation of €200 million)
Microbiomes are everywhere. They are communities of billions of bacteria, fungi and viruses that play a crucial role in the health of humans, animals, plants and the environment. This project investigates how all these microbiomes together form a large network. With this knowledge of the so-called holomicrobiome, better and healthier products can be developed.
RE-GE-NL (€129 million conditional)
This proposal focuses on the transition from the current agricultural system to a regenerative agricultural system. Regenerative agriculture is a way of farming that combines food production with nature restoration. It prevents exhaustion of the soil. The proposal not only offers a possible solution to the broad agricultural environmental problem, but also economic opportunities for Dutch farms.
Center for Animal-Free Biomedical Translation (reservation of €125 million)
Translating biomedical knowledge into applications results in new medicines and technology. This proposal supports national and European initiatives to refine, reduce and eventually replace the animal testing that is still often required for this purpose (the 3Rs). The establishment of a national center is not only a contribution to this. By developing alternative innovations, the Dutch goal of being the European hub for biomedical companies can be achieved.
POLARIS (€102 million conditional)
The goal of POLARIS is to realize a new generation of technology that ensures that the Netherlands remains at the forefront of making complex microelectronic Radio Frequency (RF) systems. Radio frequency technology generates and detects electromagnetic fields and waves, just like an MRI scanner. The Polaris proposal brings together the radar, MRI and telecommunications ecosystems to jointly develop this technology much further.
Growing with Groen Staal (subsidy of up to €124 million)
Growing with Green Steel wants to accelerate the transformation to a sustainable steel sector by five years by implementing circular chains and reducing emissions, thereby building a strong international competitive position. The project does this by focusing on innovations via manufacturing companies that help to reduce CO2 emissions and other harmful emissions from the sector and to reuse raw materials.
Charging Energy Hubs (subsidy of up to €44 million)
The demand for electricity and renewable energy is increasing for zero-CO vehicles2 expel. The current electricity grid and the laws and regulations are not yet geared to this rising demand. The proposal aims to tackle this problem by developing so-called Charging Energy Hubs. They do make integration of charging infrastructure, battery storage and renewable energy sources within the existing grid possible.