2025 was a year of complexity – volatile, uncertain, and fast-changing. Yet from our ISPT perspective, we also see some rays of hope. Across Europe, momentum is building for a strong, strategically resilient industry – one that leads in clean tech, circular raw materials and green energy. In the Netherlands, this ambition is echoed in the report by Peter Wennink, which clearly translates national goals into a strategic vision for industrial resilience and autonomy.
The challenges outlined in the Wennink report – strategic autonomy, acceleration of scale-up, and productivity growth – have been at the heart of ISPT’s approach for two decades. Through pre-competitive collaboration, pilot projects and system innovation, ISPT makes transitions executable, scalable and investable.
Where the Wennink report sets direction, ISPT shows what implementation looks like. As we look ahead to 2026, we will continue to shape a sustainable, circular and resilient industry – not just for the economy, but for society as a whole. And 2025 laid a strong foundation. These are some of the moments that made impact:
Highlights 2025
- 📍 Inspiring events:
Such as the annual ISPT Conference (this year co-produced with Groningen Seaports) and the Industrial Transition magazine, the Rotterdam Processing Week and the Fascinating Groeifeest - 🎧 Audio impact:
Together with De Energie Gasten, we launched a podcast mini-series exploring sustainability in the industry – from multiple perspectives. - 📚 Knowledge sharing
We published key reports, including:
– A Scenario Study on transitioning from fossil to renewable feedstocks in Rotterdam’s HIC cluster
– A Safety Report on green hydrogen (+ new guidelines for industrial electrolysers running on green energy)
– A safety framework for Clean Ammonia Pipeline Infrastructure. - 🔎 Showcasing innovation
In collaboration with NPT Magazine, we highlighted four valuable ISPT projects:
– Flexible electrification as gamechanger
– Process safety for scaling hydrogen
– Data-driven sustainability
– How AI increases the value of a potato - 📊 Concrete results
The Megawatt Test Centre delivered its first hydrogen – a major milestone in green energy demonstration. - 🧪 New projects launched
We kicked off impactful collaborations like STARBATCH, Circular Aromatics pilot project, Advanced Carbohydrate Biorefinery (ACB), Ammonia to Power, Bio4Steel, Cascade Recycling of Plastic Film (CaRP), and ECONEXT. - 📣 Policy advocacy
We called on (European) policymakers to accelerate change – with the international recycling consortium pushing for Future-Proof Plastics Policy, and a call for a raw materials roundabout. - 🎬 Visual storytelling
For our agricultural program Fascinating, we produced a film on regenerative agriculture, healthier food, and a future-proof business model – made possible by strong partnerships.
Let’s keep the momentum going. Onwards to 2026.
Wishing you a joyful Christmas and a hopeful, inspired new year!
20 years of ISPT
Next year, we celebrate 20 years of ISPT. Two decades of collaboration, breakthrough technologies, system innovation and new value chains. In 2026, we will highlight these achievements – with milestones, stories and testimonials from our partners. Stay tuned!