Chemical producers collaborate on energy and material transition

How are chemical manufacturers, logistics providers and other stakeholders working collaboratively with the Port of Rotterdam on a successful energy and material transition while maintaining a competitive edge?

Project reference on chemical logistics and plant utilities developed for the Port of Rotterdam

The challenge

Identify projects to futureproof the port and its clients

The Port of Rotterdam in the Netherlands identifies and develops different types of infrastructure to strengthen the entrepreneurial climate of the petrochemical and chemicals companies and their logistics partners. Its ambition is to develop a safe, efficient and sustainable port where its clients can successfully operate future-proof businesses. One route to achieve this is by accelerating sustainable operations through taking on new roles as a programme initiator, co-developer and co-investor to generate value for clients.

To pursue its ambition, the port has engaged Royal HaskoningDHV to assist in identifying, developing and helping to implement projects. In this, we are not simply acting as a strategic partner, but also following through to assess feasibility and then design the most viable projects. Key areas of focus include: the transition to renewable energy sources such as wind power, green hydrogen and their derivatives; the extension of an existing heat transfer grid; the decarbonisation of energy-intensive industries operating at the port; and reducing dependency on fossil- based sources through a move to circular and biobased sources. This is happening in a tough environment for many chemical manufacturing companies which are facing their own need to transform and identify new markets and value chains in response to the decarbonisation ambition and the high energy costs in Europe.

The solution

From ideation studies to feasibility to implementation

We engaged with the port authorities and stakeholders to generate ideas for initiatives to prepare the port and its clients for future developments. Using the concept of funnel management, we evaluated and improved the quality of these ideas to generate an overall understanding of the portfolio and make priorities. Feasibility studies of the most promising opportunities led to designs, cost indications and potential plot allocation in the port area.

Topics such as the circular economy typically involve a number of partners. Equally, where a project addresses a collective issue, a coalition is needed to drive forward plans for financing and delivery. This is where the multidisciplinary expertise and stakeholder engagement from Royal HaskoningDHV adds value, explains Bart Vander Velpen, business development director, net zero industries: “Our work with the Port of Rotterdam is multidisciplinary and complex. Companies at the port have different priorities and different ways of doing things so careful stakeholder management is vital.”

The added value we bring to our work with the Port of Rotterdam is our ability to combine strategic advice with practical guidance on implementation. We can see the big picture and also work with individual companies to help them identify new opportunities and value chains.

Bart vander VelpenDirector Business development Chemical industry

The result

World-leading projects being implemented

Transformation is happening through various projects already under way. Porthos is a carbon capture and storage joint venture which is expected to reduce CO2 emissions from energy-intensive companies in the port by 10%. Individual companies are responsible for capturing their emissions. The infrastructure to transport and store the CO2 in depleted oil fields in the North Sea is a shared project. We provided advice and guidance to stakeholders about what is permitted, how it can be financed and what will be constructed.

The port is aiming for 20% of the fuel- based chemicals to be produced in a renewable way by 2030. We are supporting a project which involves chemical reuse of plastics, resulting in one of the first full-scale pyrolysis plants to be realised in Europe. We played an important role in gaining the necessary support from stakeholders by demonstrating that chemical recycling via pyrolysis is a feasible and sustainable solution for plastics that cannot be recycled mechanically. Value chain collaboration and industrial symbiosis are catalysts for circular plastics solutions and the port aims to give new industries, which catalyse circular solutions, a place in the industrial complex. Chemical manufacturers at the port are also drawing on our consultancy services to identify new markets for carbon-light chemicals.