Wüst emphasizes the importance of the Netherlands for NRW's economy
North Rhine-Westphalia's Minister President Hendrik Wüst has emphasized the importance of the Netherlands for the climate-neutral transformation of the NRW economy. His friends in the Netherlands are strong and valuable partners for the transformation, explained the CDU politician on Tuesday on the occasion of a full-day working visit by the Dutch King Willem-Alexander. The main topic of the visit is the cooperation between the Netherlands and NRW in the field of hydrogen. The visit brings us a step closer to the goal of a cross-border hydrogen value chain, emphasized NRW Minister of Economic Affairs Mona Neubaur (Greens).
Willem-Alexander's visit included the chemical park in Marl, where the King wanted to find out more about the "Rheticus" research project. The project, run by Evonik and Siemens Energy, involves the production of specialty chemicals from CO2 and water with the help of bacteria. The test facility in Marl consists of a water electrolyzer and a bioreactor. It produces raw materials for lubricants or the cosmetics industry, for example. In Duisburg, the King wanted to visit the Center for Fuel Cell Technology and the port, among other things.
On the road to greenhouse gas neutrality in industry in NRW, hydrogen produced in a climate-neutral way is set to play an important role, for example in the steel and chemical industries. Large quantities are needed. The state government assumes that a large proportion will have to be imported. According to the Dutch embassy, this offers strategic opportunities for the Netherlands as an import hub and transit country to Germany.
According to the State Chancellery, the Netherlands is North Rhine-Westphalia's most important trading partner. "The neighboring country is both the number one sales and procurement market, with the port of Rotterdam playing a key role," explained a spokesperson. More than 100,000 people work in the more than 4,000 Dutch companies in North Rhine-Westphalia. The border region has long since become a common living and economic area. Around 70,000 Dutch people live in NRW.
- Recognizing the potential of alternative energies, people in the industry are exploring the possibility of using hydrogen as a clean energy source, particularly in sectors like steel and chemicals, given its significant role in achieving climate-neutrality in North Rhine-Westphalia.
- The Dutch Monarchy continues to play a significant role in fostering collaboration between the Netherlands and North Rhine-Westphalia in the field of hydrogen, underscoring the potential of hydrogen as an alternative energy source and the strategic opportunities it presents for the Netherlands as an import hub.
- As North Rhine-Westphalia strives towards a more eco-friendly economy, alternative energies like hydrogen can provide an effective solution for reducing greenhouse gas emissions among various industries, with the strong partnership between the Netherlands and NRW serving as a critical cornerstone in this transformation.
Source: www.dpa.com
