Port of Rotterdam Authority, E.ON, Evides Industriewater, Stedin and Vopak signed an agreement to create 80-hectare ‘Plug & Play area’ on Maasvlakte 2
The Port of Rotterdam Authority enters into a unique co-operation with E.ON, Evides Industriewater, Stedin and Vopak. On Friday 30 August these parties signed an agreement with the aim of creating an 80-hectare ‘Plug & Play area’ on Maasvlakte 2. This means they will cooperate to offer (mains) services to businesses which want to set up in the Bio-based Cluster planned here. Hans Smits, CEO of the Port Authority: “This collaboration is a major step for the port of Rotterdam to grow into the international bio port”, said in the port's press release.
An area of more than 80 hectares (about 120 football pitches) on Maasvlakte 2 has been reserved for innovative chemical industry based on renewable raw materials. The Port Authority and its four partners will do their best in the coming years to provide combined services for this area. Thanks to this joint initiative, businesses which establish themselves here no longer have to make their own investments in the supply of power for instance or power networks, tank storage and waste, process and drinking water. And thus a Plug & Play concept is born. Hans Smits: “We want to be able to offer a basic infrastructure, so that the bio-based businesses can concentrate fully on their core activities.” The aim is to install a number of (mains) services which the various bio-based businesses can use. Integration with existing businesses on Maasvlakte 1 is also possible.
Bio fuels, bio energy and the bio chemical industry are in the spotlight throughout the world. Many companies recognise great benefits in sustainable energy generation and the processing of ‘green’ raw materials. The port of Rotterdam also offers space for the expansion of industry based on renewable raw materials, especially on Maasvlakte 2. “Bio-based industries are indispensable to the sustainable development of our port,” according to Hans Smits. However, it should not be taken for granted that the area will fill up quickly, as the port of Rotterdam as a place to establish businesses competes with locations around the globe. Hans Smits is still convinced that the port of Rotterdam is highly attractive for new factories. “Besides the benefits of scale, businesses can take maximum advantage of each other’s presence in our Bio-based Cluster. The residual product from the one can be the raw material for the other.”
For decades, industry and logistics have formed the mainstays of the Rotterdam port complex. Thanks to its favourable position and the courage to take steps in the known and the unknown, the port has developed into an important European hub with a highly sustainable and efficient character. The Port of Rotterdam Authority continually seeks cooperation with other parties in the fields of knowledge, supply chain collaboration and clustering, among others. With this method, the port of Rotterdam is well on its way to becoming the bio port of North-western Europe. Bio fuel handling grew by another 25 percent in 2012 to 6 million tonnes. Hans Smits: “This Plug & Play concept is yet another good example of the integration of knowledge, infrastructure, products and services in Rotterdam Bio Port.”