Foreword

Building a sustainable industry together  

Although the world is changing rapidly and becoming less predictable, there are now more opportunities than ever for the Dutch and Belgian process industries. That's how Marc Steigenga, CEO of KH Engineering, and Jaap Reijntjes, director of the NAP Network, look at it. Collaboration, knowledge sharing and openness to each other’s ideas are more important than ever. The independent NAP network plays a vital role in bringing people together.

According to Jaap, collaboration and short lines of communication are a major strength of our region: ‘Distances are short, we reach out to each other easily and share knowledge more readily. That speeds up innovation.’ Marc, who also serves on the NAP board, adds: ‘The drive to connect is in our DNA. No one holds all the answers alone; together we come up with solutions we couldn’t find individually.’

Record pace
A striking example of seizing opportunities in uncertain times is the construction of the EemsEnergyTerminal during the gas crisis. In record time – just six months – this floating LNG terminal in the Eemshaven was realised from concept to commissioning. Jaap notes: ‘It was made possible thanks to mutual understanding, short lines of communication and decisive action.’ Collaboration and knowledge sharing also prove their worth in other areas, such as swift safety solutions in the industry and joint initiatives around cybersecurity and AI.

YOUNG professionals 

NAP continuously works on current and emerging themes. Marc is actively involved in the Special Interest Group on Energy Transition, where members visit one another to learn from each other’s approaches and technologies. ‘Through NAP and our collaboration with organisations such as TNO, we stay closely connected to the latest developments’, he explains. NAP also places strong emphasis on attracting young talent. ‘With Young NAP and Young KH, we bring young professionals together. Their fresh perspective is vital for the future of the industry.’

RAISING AWARENESS

Making existing industry more sustainable often requires small but significant steps. ‘It starts with awareness’, says Jaap. ‘Only then can you take a focused look at where your processes can be improved.’ Marc adds: ‘There’s often a lot to gain in existing installations. We usually begin with a baseline measurement to identify where energy is lost and where recovery is possible. Sometimes, this leads to innovations within existing processes. For example, using heat pumps to enable electrification and drastically reduce CO₂ emissions. At the same time, new companies are emerging, such as our client ChainCraft, which recovers fatty acids from organic waste. KH Engineering is supporting them in the scale-up to a first full-scale commercial plant, and that’s only the beginning of ChainCraft’s plans.’

Leadership

A network like NAP is of immense value for the continued success of industry in the Netherlands and Belgium. ‘We’re not a lobbying group, but a platform where knowledge is shared to collectively advance the industry’, says Jaap. The key to success? People. ‘True collaboration requires looking beyond your own interests, offering help, and making genuine connections’, he emphasises. ‘Within the NAP network, every participant matters, but KH Engineering plays a leading role through its board membership, its active involvement in various Special Interest Groups, and by encouraging personal engagement from its employees. In doing so, they help strengthen collaboration, business operations, sustainable development, and the societal position of the process industry as a whole.’ Marc adds: ‘Leadership, by us and our fellow members, is crucial in all of this. We need to keep reaching out to one another. It’s not only essential for the future of your company, but also makes working together far more enjoyable.’

stronger industry

Both Jaap and Marc remain optimistic about the future of the Dutch and Belgian process industries. ‘The process industry is highly resilient’, says Marc. ‘Of course, companies need support from the government, but also from ordinary people like you and me. We must value and protect our industry. Yes, things need to change: lower emissions and, eventually, a fully circular approach. But we must allow the industry to take time for that transition. Shutting down factories or relocating production abroad only makes our society more vulnerable. That’s why these turbulent times actually offer opportunities: for improvement, for sustainability, and for building a stronger industry right here.’

For more information about NAP: napnetwerk.nl