Minister Hermans visits GETEC PARK.EMMEN – a model for sustainable industrial transformation

Emmen, Netherlands, 16 October 2025 – Sophie Hermans, Minister for Climate and Green Growth, visited GETEC PARK.EMMEN yesterday, the second-largest industrial cluster in the Netherlands. The park is rapidly evolving into a showcase for sustainable industrial innovation, with investments in circular water use, biogas production, and the transition to green hydrogen. During her visit, the Minister spoke with entrepreneurs and knowledge partners about how industry in the northern Netherlands can accelerate its sustainability efforts.

Industry as a Driver of the Energy Transition

GETEC PARK.EMMEN is home to dozens of companies in the fields of chemicals, plastics, food, and technology. As owner and operator, GETEC is responsible for all utility services – from water and electricity to steam, industrial gases, and wastewater treatment.

Guido Hansman © info@hansmanfotografeert 0620351665 www.hansmanfotografeert.nl

The park consumes approximately 100 million m³ of natural gas annually, resulting in CO₂ emissions of around 140 kilotons per year. The challenge is significant, but the path to decarbonization is clearly defined:

• Use of biogas from residual streams to reduce natural gas consumption by 20%
• Integration of green hydrogen into the boiler house (18% blending, aiming for 100% by 2027)
• Large-scale reuse of process water in collaboration with knowledge partners

Minister Hermans: “The sustainable transformation of industry is vital for our economy. And here in Emmen, you can see how it works in practice: companies, research institutions, and governments working together towards a cleaner industry – with a spirit of innovation and a strong regional focus. This is green growth in action.”

Circular Water Use and Bio-Based Resources: Residual Streams as Valuable Raw Materials

A key part of the visit was the park’s wastewater treatment plant (WWTP). It purifies and recycles process water and converts industrial residual streams into biogas and bioplastics. In cooperation with Paques Biomaterials, up to 80% of the water is reused, and sludge is processed into PHA bioplastics – a fully biodegradable alternative to fossil-based plastics.

Martijn van der Zande, CEO GETEC Benelux: “By using residual streams intelligently, we can drastically reduce raw material consumption and emissions. Water recycling and biogas production are not visions of the future – they are tangible solutions that already contribute to a circular industry today.”

Decarbonization: Step by Step Towards a Climate-Neutral Industrial Park

The boiler house is the heart of energy supply at GETEC PARK.EMMEN. Through modernization and the use of waste heat, biogas, and eventually green hydrogen, GETEC is gradually reducing CO₂ emissions. A full-scale test with 100% green hydrogen is planned for 2027 – supported by the RVO with a DEI+ subsidy of €4.4 million.

This approach is part of GETEC’s integrated energy management strategy: smarter use of residual streams, improved energy efficiency, and a shift to sustainable energy carriers.

Regional Innovation: Working Together for Sustainable Growth

The sustainable transformation of GETEC PARK.EMMEN is taking place in close cooperation with the Province of Drenthe, the Municipality of Emmen, Greenwise Campus, and regional educational institutions. New projects – such as a feasibility study on sustainable protein production based on green energy and circular water use – are being coordinated directly with local partners.

This collaborative approach strengthens regional employment, knowledge development, and innovation capacity.

Martijn van der Zande: “In Emmen, industry, government, and research institutions truly work hand in hand for sustainable growth. This way, the energy transition becomes not only an environmental goal but also an economic opportunity.”

About GETEC

GETEC is Europe's leading specialist for reliable, decarbonised energy and infrastructure solutions. With more than 3,100 dedicated employees at around 50 locations, we leverage our engineering, regulatory, and sustainability expertise to help our industrial and real estate customers navigate the complexities of the modern energy landscape while significantly reducing their carbon footprint. Operating over 11,000 plants, the company has a broad decarbonised technology offering. GETEC develops, finances, and runs critical energy infrastructure and industrial parks across Europe through its regional platforms in Germany, Italy, Switzerland, Benelux, Austria and Poland.

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