'Now there is the chance to lead the way'
On 15 October, Ondernemend Venlo (OV) is organising the Venlo Circular Hotspot meeting in theatre Maaspoort. Several specialists in the field of circularity will give their views on the opportunities, importance and latest developments in this area that afternoon.
The event Venlo Circular Hotspot on circularity takes place on Tuesday 15 October in theatre Maaspoort and lasts from 13.00 to 17.00. Registration is possible via the website of Ondernemend Venlo.
Ondernemend Venlo, as representative of the interests of 1,200 companies (with about 40,000 employees), together with the municipality of Venlo, has adopted a Development Agenda Economic Vision (OEV)that sets out ambitions and agreements on regional economic development. One of the ambitions is to excel nationally and internationally on circularity. OV embraces the ambition to position Venlo as the Circular Hotspot. The reason for this cooperation is threefold. Both parties believe that increasing sustainability is essential for future generations, the municipality of Venlo sees circularity as a top priority. Moreover, our region offers excellent business opportunities around circularity especially for the manufacturing industry and logistics.
In this edition, Bart Verlegh, director and co-founder of marketing and innovation agency Bluehub, together with Jeroen Rondeel, CEO of Blue Engineering (specialist developer of sustainable and innovative solutions), looks ahead to importance of this meeting and the theme. The aim is for the Venlo business community and its stakeholders to come together, to learn about the state of realisation of ambitions and goals. But also to be inspired and motivated to start working on circularity themselves as well.
'The aim of the day is to inspire, identify examples, cite opportunities for businesses and then support them to scale up'
Inspire and identify opportunities
The municipality of Venlo is known nationally and Euroregionally as a circular hotspot. A hub in which there is a lot of knowledge and expertise on the subject, especially as various activities and economic values converge here. "And this happens in such a way that it stimulates the curiosity of various parties. Parties that are still somewhat hesitant about this development," said Bart Verlegh. "The aim of this day is to inspire, to name examples, to cite opportunities for companies and then to support them to scale up. This will be done by various speakers such as Rob van Oene from MIFA Aluminium, David Peck from TU Delft, authority on circularity, plus a speaker from ASML."
Manufacturing and logistics
According to Rondeel, David Peck is particularly enthusiastic about Venlo being a circular hotspot. "A lot is going to change in the world. A new law will stipulate that only 10 per cent of all materials used can still be new. So the rest will be reused. Especially for the manufacturing industry, this has implications; it is going to look very different. To achieve this, a finely-meshed logistics network is needed. Let these two sectors just now be very strongly represented in Venlo. That is why Peck considers this municipality so important in all circular developments."
Distinguished
Although Venlo's construction sector in particular has already made strides on this front in terms of Cradle2Cradle - and has a real eye-catcher with the Cradle2Cradle city office - there are still huge opportunities especially for the manufacturing and logistics sectors, which are strong in Venlo. Verlegh cites the sharply increasing global shortage of raw materials and climate issues as reasons that there is an absolute need to change. "Entrepreneurs can distinguish themselves in this way and then also quickly comply with changing laws and regulations. Be prepared for it and you won't be surprised later. Moreover, big players are expected to impose it on others soon. These companies are already fully engaged in the sustainability transition. They feel the sense of urgency, but also the sense of excitement. This demand is already there not only from large Dutch organisations, but also in Germany with companies like Bayer, Mercedes or BMW. Now there is the opportunity to lead the way. Yes, it is sometimes complex, but that is why the aim of this meeting on 15 October is to share knowledge and expertise."
'Huge opportunities remain for the manufacturing and logistics sectors strong in Venlo in particular'
Economic value added
So this gives the Venlo manufacturing and logistics sector a chance to prepare for the future. Essential, says Rondeel. "Those who only look back, take no steps, stand still where you have always been." Venlo companies are also doing intensive business with big players like ASML. "For the construction sector, the description Cradle2Cradle was fine. For logistics and manufacturing, we prefer circularity. That fits better with current events and the opportunities entrepreneurs want to see. It is good to build further on shoulders of Cradle2Cradle. However, these companies are all about real economic added value. Can business make money from it? That's what it's all about now." Verlegh added: "If you want to become a true circular hotspot, more needs to happen than has been the case so far. Then I say: so come up with innovative alternatives. Make circularity more visible. And the companies that lead the way can provide excellent support to the followers in doing so. Moreover, we also see that legislation is causing a turnaround. You have to keep up. That also applies to many members of Ondernemend Venlo. We are probably not going to move all 1,400 companies. However, if 150 to 200 companies join that leading group over the next three years to invest in their R&D, then we can be proud. They give colour to the circular hotspot Venlo and serve as an example for many entrepreneurs."
Rondeel knows that this issue has been around for a number of years. "We often hear companies now saying: if only we had known. That is precisely where an umbrella organisation like Ondernemend Venlo has an important task, which is why initiatives like the one on 15 October are so important. It is good to showcase opportunities that are out there, so that organisations take more action. This meeting is another important step in the development of Venlo as a circular hotspot. We show where the profit lies for these companies. We need entrepreneurs as well as government and educational institutions from all over the municipality to achieve our goals."
bluehub.co.uk - blue-engineering.co.uk
Text: Rob Buchholz - Photography: Bram Becks
