Economy
Cleantech as a Driver of the Circular Economy – Benelux as a Catalyst for Europe
04 Dec. 2025
On 4 December, we hosted the Benelux Cleantech Innovation Day, opened by Frans Weekers, Secretary-General of the Benelux Union, followed by a keynote from Han ten Broeke, Chef de Cabinet to Commissioner Hoekstra. Together, they set the tone for an afternoon full of innovation, collaboration and ambition.
What truly made the event stand out was the diverse mix of EU-level policymakers, national ministries, regional authorities, investors, innovators and companies, all actively contributing to one shared ecosystem.
Cleantech for Benelux
The programme featured dynamic pitches on concrete cleantech projects in the Benelux, including solutions to reduce food waste, sustainable construction, and the hyperloop as the transport mode of the future. The ecosystem is supported by the association Cleantech for Benelux, represented by Sacha Müller.
We heard pitches from Sacha Müller (Cleantech for Benelux), Jinna Li (Endgame Capital), Tim Houter (Hardt Hyperloop) and Martijn Lopes Cardozo (RegenerationVC), highlighting groundbreaking technologies and new investment approaches emerging from our region.
A government panel with Jorine Zandhuis (Invest-NL), Sofie Bouteligier (OVAM), Jeannine de la Bursi (Dutch Ministry of Economic Affairs) and Sébastien Voisin (Région Hauts-de-France) discussed how policymakers and public institutions can scale up innovation, strengthen circular value chains and enhance cross-border cooperation.
Leading Role
In line with current EU discussions on reducing administrative burdens for cross-border entrepreneurship, the proposal for a “28th regime” was also addressed, aimed at simplifying the legal framework for innovative companies. A leading role for the Benelux was suggested to strengthen the investment climate for cleantech.
Throughout the event, one message stood out clearly: the Benelux and its surrounding regions form a naturally integrated ecosystem—from industrial clusters and logistics corridors to research institutions and investment networks. When these forces come together, the region can grow into one of Europe’s most dynamic engines for cleantech and circular growth.
