Dutch entrepreneurial association Deltalinqs wants to prevent 10 megatonnes of CO2 emissions by 2030.
Deltalinqs is an association of entrepreneurs promoting the interests of port operators and industrial companies at mainport Rotterdam. In this article, Alice Krekt, Director of the Deltalinqs Climate Programme, tells about the sustainability targets at mainport Rotterdam and how companies like Hendrik Veder Group are helping to reach these goals. Based in Rotterdam, Hendrik Veder Group helps companies reduces their CO2 emissions through leasing, lending and recycling cables and hoisting-equipment.
Drawing attention to sustainability targets
Deltalinqs is dedicated to boosting sustainable growth and making the Rotterdam port and industrial area more competitive internationally. Ninety-five percent of the companies in and round the port are Deltalinqs members. Krekt says, ‘We are operating at the cross-section of sustainability, innovation and solid business. During the coronavirus pandemic, that means, for example, not just bringing relief to companies that have fallen on hard times, but also devoting that funding to making them more sustainable. That’s how we are working with our partners to create the business model of the future for the Netherlands.’
Krekt has seen a growing interest in climate-related issues. ‘Because of the climate accords, the noticeable impacts of climate change and changing public opinion, we see that employers and employees are increasingly asking themselves: “How can we do our part to fight the climate crisis?” That’s very encouraging to see. Deltalinqs is enabling companies to reach those ambitions by helping, for example, to organise financing and infrastructure for green innovations.’
Sustainability targets for 2030 and beyond
Deltalinqs has established a climate programme in partnership with companies and governmental organisations. It also heads the Rotterdam Port and Industry Climate Board. The Deltalinqs Climate Programme, which Krekt oversees, has set a target to prevent 10 megatonnes of CO2 emissions by 2030. ‘It is an ambitious target. To make it happen, we are investing in major long-term projects. There’s no time to waste. So, in the short term, we are investing in capturing CO2 emissions, using waste heat, switching to sustainable fuels and building a carbon-neutral hydrogen plant. We’ve brought together many different partners to work on these large-scale projects. Together, we are creating sustainable, innovative business cases and saving megatonnes of CO2 emissions.’
Yet, for Krekt, the real challenge will start from 2030 onwards. ‘We are already looking for ways of creating a circular economy starting in 2030. That means it’s essential to make raw materials more sustainable, including waste, which can be used as raw materials. For this new economy, we need companies like Hendrik Veder Group. Companies at the port are already gearing up for this new reality. That’s why the approach that Hendrik Veder Group takes to raw materials—reusing cables as raw materials—is so relevant and urgent. Ideas like these are helping to shape the new economy.’
A unique circular approach
According to Egbert Vennik, CEO of Hendrik Veder Group, ‘I am proud that Hendrik Veder is doing our part to help build the new Dutch economy. Our company has a rich history, but we have our sights set on the future. We’ve seen how traditional industries are struggling with sustainability targets. That’s why we’ve developed solutions that are both economically and ecologically sound.’
To achieve its circular solutions, Hendrik Veder Group follows what it calls a ‘raw materials approach.’ Vennik explains, ‘This means that Hendrik Veder reuses materials, converts unusable cables into raw materials and provides other circular solutions. We maintain products and recertify them, which gives them a longer life cycle. This guarantees full compliance. We even enable companies to lease or lend certified cables, which means we can reduce the volume of new cable that’s produced. That means sustainability and cost-savings go hand in hand.’
