'We are on to something good'

About five years took preparation, but last month was the day; the official kickoff of the construction of Brightlands Circular Space. On the edge of the Brightlands Chemelot Campus, under the steam of the 100-year-old Iterson cooling tower, the first demonstration facility is rising, a co-creation center to bring out the best in plastics. Circular, sustainable and without CO2 emissions.

The pride can be read off her face on this sunny afternoon under a hip tent canvas, at the edge of the construction site where the first contours of Brightlands Circular Space are becoming visible. 'This can rightly be called a milestone,' says Lia Voermans, Chairman of the Brightlands Circular Space Steering Committee, the partnership of research institute TNO, Maastricht University and Brightlands Chemelot Campus, the three founding fathers of the ambitious project. 'We have overcome many obstacles, setbacks too, complications with permits. A failing government policy that put recyclers in a fix and even put them out of business. And now here we all are anyway. Construction has started and in just under two years a unique demonstration plant will be up and running, proving that it is possible to make new, valuable raw materials from waste plastic. A game-changer for the Netherlands, Europe and the world. Made possible by a great many parties who have all had the courage and patience to persevere.'