Dear reader,
For most of you: it was a pleasure to have you with us at the ISPT Conference ’25 – Northern Netherlands edition.
For all of you: in this exclusive, online magazine you’ll find a selection of articles and interviews that delve deeper into the topic of electrification, including a detailed report of the day with summaries and keynotes.
We hope that you will find it informative and inspiring.
Welcome!
In this online magazine we look back at the ISPT conference – Northern Netherlands edition. Read in-depth interviews and articles, get in touch with the participants of the innovation plaza and relive the day through the extensive report.
“I like to see that you actually see consensus in many places already. We need to act as one big family and all work on the industry of the future.” – Tjeerd Jongsma (ISPT)
“The technology is there, we have everything we need to make it happen. In the end we have to show guts that we are going to do it” – Cas König (Groningen Seaports)
Also watch the aftermovie of the conference (in Dutch)!
How to accelerate electrification
Vision on the transition
What does the hourglass mean?
The conference featured an hourglass in its branding. What is the story behind this? Tjeerd Jongsma, ISPT director, explains:
“From the North Sea, more than enough energy enters the port. Only to get it to where you need it – the hinterland – is a difficult task. The hourglass symbolizes the dialogue between building the energy network to increase the gap, or bringing the large companies to where the energy already is.”
Kansen voor energiehubs aan de kust blijven onbenut
De Nederlandse industrie staat voor een enorme opgave: verduurzamen en tegelijkertijd concurrerend blijven. Elektrificatie, aangedreven door duurzame bronnen zoals windenergie van de Noordzee, lijkt de sleutel. Maar terwijl de Tweede Kamer aandringt op extra investeringen in netbeheerder TenneT om de windenergie-infrastructuur te versnellen, wijst Tjeerd Jongsma, directeur van het Institute for Sustainable Process Technology (ISPT), op een fundamenteel obstakel.
Slechts vernieuwing kan behouden
R
ené Paas, commissaris van de Koning, verwelkomde ons in het Forum in Groningen. Een ‘passende plek voor vernieuwers in de industrie’, aldus Paas. De vraag staat centraal hoe de ervaringen in Groningen Nederland en Europa hun positie kunnen versterken. 150 bedrijven zijn aangesloten bij het ISPT. En ze zijn vandaag gekomen naar een plek die bewijst dat vernieuwen visie én lef vraagt. Dat is precies het thema van vandaag: vernieuwing door durf. Want of het nu gaat om architectuur of industrie – vooruitgang begint vaak met weerstand. En eindigt met trots, en als het mee zit, liefde.
Is it time to rethink our grid? Why industry should take a serious look at DC Power
A
s electrification rapidly becomes the cornerstone of the energy transition, it brings with it immense opportunities — but also unavoidable challenges. The move toward electricity as our primary energy source is accelerating across sectors, and for industry in particular, this transformation is both promising and problematic. So, here is a question worth asking: could direct current (DC) offer a better way forward?
Recap of the day
(in Dutch)
“Het belangrijkste is toch dat mensen bij elkaar komen en ideeën uitwisselen. Het gaat echt om het sámen bouwen aan een nieuwe industrie. En ja: dat vraagt om durf. Dat heb ik vandaag veel gezien en dat inspireert.”
Tjeerd Jongsma (ISPT)
ChainCraft winnaar van de Industry Innovators Award 2025
ISPT Conferentie 2025 in teken van groene chemie Noord-Nederland
Hoe ziet de toekomst van een duurzame industriesector er in Nederland uit? Die vraag stond centraal tijdens de jaarlijkse conferentie van het Institute for Sustainable Process Technology (ISPT), dit jaar in samenwerking met Groningen Seaports, Chemie Park Delfzijl en de provincie Groningen. Meer dan 150 professionals uit de industrie kwamen in Forum Groningen bijeen voor het met durf en fantasie bedenken van inspirerende projecten ter realisatie van een groene chemie- en industriesector.
“Ik vind het mooi om te zien dat je eigenlijk op veel plekken al consensus ziet,” opent ISPT-directeur Tjeerd Jongsma de conferentie. “We moeten als één grote familie optreden en allemaal werken aan de industrie van de toekomst.”
Innovation Plaza
During the Conference, 10 SMEs presented their innovative technologies at the innovation plaza. Below you’ll find an overview of the participating organisations. Want to get in touch? Contact details are listed as well.
Didn’t have time to explore all the SMEs? Take a stroll through our digital Innovation Plaza below and connect with the companies for more information!
Photo Gallery
ISPT Conference 2025: Northern Netherlands edition
📷: Ronnie Zeemering
About ISPT
The Institute for Sustainable Process Technology (ISPT) is leading the way in industry focused solutions on sustainability. We believe a sustainable future requires more than technological innovations: it requires collaboration. The annual ISPT Conference provides a platform for this.
We initiate projects and match organisations to make their highly complex industrial processes more sustainable.
About Groningen Seaports
Groningen Seaports (GSP) manages the ports of Delfzijl and Eemshaven. Delfzijl has a long history in industrial shipping, while Eemshaven is a key hub for offshore wind, data centers and green innovation.
Strategically located with strong transport link, GSP supports both conventional and renewable energy sectors. It plays a vital role in importing and exporting energy, particularly through offshore wind and emerging green hydrogen projects, positioning itself as a key player in the transition to a sustainable energy economy.
How we play our role in the transition towards a sustainable process industry
The energy transition signifies a profound shift from reliance on fossil fuels – derived from oil, natural gas, and coal—to harnessing renewable energy sources like sunlight, wind, geothermal heat, biomass, and hydropower.
The industrial sector in the Netherlands plays a crucial role in this energy transition. Representing a substantial portion of national energy consumption, the sector faces the dual challenge and opportunity of transforming its operations to be more sustainable and efficient.
Connect with us
ISPT
Groen van Prinstererlaan 37
3818 JN Amersfoort
The Netherlands
+31 33 7009797
ispt.eu
Get in touch
Groningen Seaports
Handelskade Oost 1
9934 AR Delfzijl
The Netherlands
+31 (0)596 640 400
www.groningen-seaports.com
