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Den Haag, 18 april 2024
Bedrijven in de watertechnologiesector hebben hoge verwachtingen van de groei in de toekomst. Ondanks de uitdagingen van de COVID-19-crisis, is de watertechnologiesector veerkrachtig gebleken en sterk blijven groeien, met innovatie als drijvende kracht. Dat blijkt uit het rapport ‘Innovaties voor waterkwaliteit en duurzame transities zorgen voor groei watersector’, een vijfjaarlijkse economische analyse in opdracht van het bestuur van het Topconsortium voor Kennis en Innovatie (TKI) Watertechnologie, uitgevoerd door BBO en SWECO.
Op 18 april overhandigde Anne Hummelen, programmadirecteur van TKI Watertechnologie het rapport aan Tjerk Opmeer, waarnemend DG Bedrijfsleven en Innovatie van het ministerie van Economische Zaken en Klimaat (EZK). De aanbieding van het rapport werd gecombineerd met een door het ministerie van EZK georganiseerde rondetafelgesprek over hoe het nationale industriebeleid watertechnologiebedrijfsleven en -gebruikers kan helpen om marktkansen te benutten. “Watertechnologie speelt een essentiële rol in onze productiesystemen. De sector heeft veel groeikansen en is onmisbaar voor de weerbaarheid van onze economie. Vaak merken we pas hoe waardevol water is, als het er niet meer is” aldus Serpil Tascioglu, directeur Topsectoren en Industriebeleid bij EZK.
Omzetgroei
De groeiverwachtingen voor de watertechnologiesector zijn opvallend hoog, aangedreven door toenemende wereldwijde uitdagingen met betrekking tot water, klimaatverandering, en beleidsinvloeden zoals de Europese Kaderrichtlijn Water. Sinds 2012 laat de sector een constante groei zien, met een omzetgroei van 3 tot 7 procent in de periode 2017-2022. De omzet van de private bedrijven in de sector bedraagt nu naar schatting 6,5 tot 7,0 miljard euro. Daarbovenop komt nog een omzet van 2,7 miljard euro van de publieke sector: drinkwaterbedrijven en waterschappen. Bijna alle bedrijven verwachten groei in de komende vijf jaar. 80 procent van de bedrijven voorspelt zelfs een groei van meer dan 20 procent.
Om van deze groeikansen te profiteren en de export te vergroten, is vanuit de sector zelf het WTEX10-programma opgezet. Dit initiatief, vanuit het voormalig boegbeeld van de Topsector Water & Maritiem en het ministerie van EZK, biedt concrete ondersteuning aan mkb-bedrijven in de watertechnologie. Ondernemers Yousef Yousef (LG Sonic) en Coos Wessels (CirTec) zijn beiden voorbeelden van het groeipotentieel van Nederlands watertechnologie-mkb. “In Nederland blijven we lang in de pilotfase hangen, en dat is lastig voor klein mkb dat wil groeien. Het helpt als afnemers meer worden gestimuleerd om te investeren in innovatieve wateroplossingen en groter durven gaan denken.”
R&D-investeringen als sleutel tot succes
Sinds de eerste economische analyse in 2012 is het duidelijk dat investeringen in Research & Development (R&D) de drijvende kracht zijn achter de groei van de watertechnologiesector.
Ongeveer 45 procent van de bedrijven in de sector investeert in R&D. Deze bedrijven worden steeds beter in het benutten van kennis van andere bedrijven, gespecialiseerde adviesbureaus, universiteiten en onderzoeksinstituten. Twee derde van de bedrijven die in R&D investeren geven aan dat dat heeft geleid tot omzetgroei. Dit percentage is in de loop der jaren verder gestegen.
Werkgelegenheid gegroeid, maar tekort aan technisch personeel dreigt
De watertechnologiesector biedt werkgelegenheid aan ongeveer 34.000 mensen. Het rapport wijst op een positieve impact op werkgelegenheid, met een geschatte toename van 4 procent bij private bedrijven tussen 2017 en 2022. Een relatief groot deel daarvan is hoog opgeleid. Bovendien biedt de watertechnologiesector een bovengemiddelde toegevoegde waarde per werkzame persoon, wat resulteert in een sterke bijdrage aan het bruto binnenlands product. Opvallend is dat alle bedrijven het tekort aan technisch opgeleid personeel benoemen als het grootste knelpunt in de marktontwikkeling. Dit was in voorgaande jaren niet het geval.
De aanbevelingen uit het onderzoek benadrukken het belang van blijvende nationale en internationale samenwerking, ruimte blijven bieden aan innovatie voor vernieuwende technologie, het stimuleren van financiële regelingen, en het intensiveren van een strategie voor human capital. De deelnemers aan de ronde tafel waren het er over eens dat de verschillende initiatieven en programma’s in de sector nog meer effect zouden hebben als bedrijfsleven en overheid daar nauwer in samenwerken. Daarmee zetten we water beter op de kaart als essentieel onderdeel van maatschappelijke transities, en verzilveren we tegelijkertijd economische kansen.
Het volledige onderzoeksrapport is beschikbaar voor download via deze link.
The Dutch water technology sector: constant economic growth driven by innovation
The Hague, April 18, 2024
Companies in the water technology sector have high expectations for future growth. Despite the challenges of the COVID-19 crisis, the water technology sector has proven resilient and continued to grow strongly, with innovation as its driving force. This is evident from the report ‘Innovations for water quality and sustainable transitions driving growth in the water sector’, a quinquennial economic analysis commissioned by the board of the Top Consortium for Knowledge and Innovation (TKI) Water Technology, conducted by BBO and SWECO.
On April 18, Anne Hummelen, program director of TKI Water Technology, presented the report to Tjerk Opmeer, acting Director-General for Business and Innovation at the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate Policy (EZK). The presentation of the report was combined with a roundtable discussion organized by the Ministry of EZK on how the national industrial policy can assist water technology companies and users in seizing market opportunities. “Water technology plays an essential role in our production systems. The sector has many growth opportunities and is indispensable for the resilience of our economy. Often, we only realize the value of water when it’s no longer available,” said Serpil Tascioglu, Director of Key Sectors and Industrial Policy at EZK.
Revenue Growth Expectations for growth in the water technology sector are remarkably high, driven by increasing global challenges related to water, climate change, and policy influences such as the European Water Framework Directive. Since 2012, the sector has shown steady growth, with revenue growth ranging from 3 to 7 percent in the period 2017-2022. The revenue of private companies in the sector is now estimated to be between 6.5 and 7.0 billion euros. In addition, there is revenue of 2.7 billion euros from the public sector: water companies and water boards. Almost all companies expect growth in the next five years. 80 percent of companies even predict growth of more than 20 percent.
To capitalize on these growth opportunities and increase exports, the sector itself has established the WTEX10 program. This initiative, spearheaded by the former figurehead of the Water & Maritime Top Sector and the Ministry of EZK, provides concrete support to SMEs in the water technology sector. Entrepreneurs Yousef Yousef (LG Sonic) and Coos Wessels (CirTec) are both examples of the growth potential of Dutch water technology SMEs. “In the Netherlands, we often linger in the pilot phase for a long time, which is challenging for small SMEs that want to grow. It helps if customers are more encouraged to invest in innovative water solutions and dare to think bigger.”
R&D Investments as the Key to Success Since the first economic analysis in 2012, it has been clear that investments in Research & Development (R&D) are the driving force behind the growth of the water technology sector. About 45 percent of companies in the sector invest in R&D. These companies are becoming increasingly adept at leveraging knowledge from other companies, specialized consulting firms, universities, and research institutes. Two-thirds of the companies investing in R&D indicate that this has led to revenue growth. This percentage has further increased over the years.
Employment Growth, but Shortage of Technical Personnel Looms The water technology sector provides employment for approximately 34,000 people. The report highlights a positive impact on employment, with an estimated increase of 4 percent at private companies between 2017 and 2022. A relatively large portion of these employees are highly educated. Furthermore, the water technology sector offers an above-average value added per employee, resulting in a strong contribution to the gross domestic product. It is noteworthy that all companies identify the shortage of technically trained personnel as the biggest bottleneck in market development. This was not the case in previous years.
The recommendations from the study emphasize the importance of continued national and international cooperation, maintaining space for innovation for innovative technology, promoting financial schemes, and intensifying a strategy for human capital. The roundtable participants agreed that the various initiatives and programs in the sector would have an even greater impact if the business community and government collaborated more closely. This would better highlight water as an essential component of societal transitions and simultaneously capitalize on economic opportunities.
The full research report is available for download via this link.
Abstract
The realisation of a circular economy has thus far unfolded under the assumption that it would fit within existing economic arrangements. In practice, we witness many circular initiatives struggling to give shape to their ambitions, let alone develop to maturity. These past months, various material recycling organisations terminated their activities, seeing virgin alternatives from other parts of the world flooding the market at prices against they cannot compete. If the transition towards a circular economy (i.e. an economy of value preservation) is to be taken seriously, a new perspective on value in our economic system seems unavoidable, as the rewriting of the rules of the economic game. At this moment, current perceptions of value stand in the way of this transition both at micro as well as macro levels. Several contours for a collective exploration of new directions of value and economic configuration that foster circular transition will be addressed.
Abstract
In his key note he will conclude after a life of innovations that it is impossible that humanity will stay within the save planetary boundaries with innovation only. We should be more critical about the behaviour of the rich population in the world and more critical about new innovations that prove to be dangerous, like the PFAS crisis shows at this moment. In his keynote he will investigate how to look at the world that can stay within the save planetary boundaries, how should we change ourselves? It is clear if we only talk about the words of science and systems we miss the essential words of how we should cooperate and change ourselves. And his search for coherent save innovations. Which innovations will be save and will lead to a fair and sustainable world? And will lead to a world we want to live in.
Abstract
There is a growing number of new sustainable, inclusive, cohesive, participatory, just and humane economic models. A possible next step in the discourse about them is the comparative analysis in order to find out key commonalities, potential synergies, and “requirements” for a future-fit economic model. The author and initiator of the Economy for the Common Good provides an overview of these „new sustainable economic models“ and compares them according to underlying values, principles, and practical ways of implementation. The keynote addresses the cooperative spirit of the conference and prepares the ground for its public highlight on the eve of June 3rd, the round table with representatives of diverse future-fit economic models.
Abstract
The scientific debate on whether economies should always continue to grow increasingly becomes a political and societal debate. On the one hand further growth for the most affluent countries seems neither possible nor valuable, but on the other hand there is still lack of understanding and knowledge what a non-growing economy should look like and could best be governed. In this lecture we discuss various policy measures that can be realistically implemented, take into account government finances and aim at a higher quality of life despite a non-growing economy.
Abstract
Democracy is under pressure, and less and less able to stir the economy into a sustainable direction. Therefore, to stabilize democracy and to make possible the socio-ecological transformation of the economy, democratic principles need to be implemented directly in the economy. This is not only a matter of morality, but also has practical advantages. Democratizing the economy can increase legitimacy and take advantage of the “knowledge of the many” to accelerate the transformation. Democratic practices, especially deliberation, allow bringing together different forms of knowledge, which is crucial for the local implementation of principles of social and ecological sustainability. This talk explores what this idea means in more concrete terms, from democratic participation in the workplace to the democratization of time.
Abstract
Over the past decades, markets have conventionally been seen as the best instrument to stimulate economic growth and enhance prosperity and well-being. The automatic link between markets and economic growth is increasingly questioned, however, as well as the automatic link between economic growth and enhancement of well-being. This has led to attempts to capture well-being development more directly than through GDP per capita figures and has produced a more variegated picture of well-being growth. Also, this has led to a shift of focus to other coordination systems than the market, as primarily the state but increasingly also the association. Analyses of the historical record suggest that especially the latter could be a vital component in future well-being.
