Life Sciences in the Netherlands - LIAA

Nutreco (Boxmeer)www.nutreco.comNedalco (Bergen op Zoom)www.nedalco.nlRodenburg Biopolymers (Oosterhout)www.biopolymers.nlSolvay Pharmaceuticals B.V.www.solvay.comGovernmentMinistry of Economic AffairsDirectorate-General for InnovationMarket and InnovationCluster Life SciencesPO Box 201012500 EC The HagueThe Haguewww.lifesciences.ez.nlMinistry of Health, Welfare and SportPostbox 203502500 EJ Den Haag+31 (0)70) 340 79 11www.minvws.nlNetherlands Ministry of Housing, SpatialPlanning and the EnvironmentPO Box 209512500 EZ The HagueThe NetherlandsTelephone: +31 (0)70 339 39 39www.vrom.nllactic acid/lactates and gluconic acid/gluconates. CSMBiochemicals is a division of CSM and operates in themarketplace under the name PURAC. The principalproduct groups are lactic acid and lactic acidderivatives, gluconic acid and gluconic acidderivatives, lactic acid-based biomaterials and lactitol.Nutreco is a global food and animal nutrition companyinspired by consumer demands, creating value throughsustainable modern aquaculture and agriculture.Royal Nedalco, a subsidiary company of the Dutchsugar producer Cosun, is a leading producer of ethanol(ethyl alcohol) of agricultural origin inEurope.Together with our production location in Sasvan Gent, our sales unit Belgalco our joint venturewith Brüggemann Alcohol in Germany we havereached a strong position in the European alcoholmarket.Rodenburg Biopolymers is a member of theRodenburg Group which offers a uniqueinfrastructure. Rodenburg Biopolymers upgrade byproductsof the food-processing industries towardsbioplastics using state of the art technologies andenvironmentally friendly processes.Solvay is an international chemical andpharmaceutical Group. It employs more than 30 000people in 50 countries.Improved treatment of disease, food that is safer andhealthier and a cleaner environment are just a few ofthe applications for Life Sciences. Put simply, LifeSciences consists of a collection of techniques inwhich living organisms, or parts thereof, are used tomake improved products or new processes.LifeSciences is an important supplier of innovativeproducts and innovation is the engine that drives thesustainable growth of the Dutch economy. EconomicAffairs has decided to work together with otherministries in order to promote Life Sciences. But thiscan only be achieved if we are able to put in placecertain guarantees with regard to safety, transparencywithin the decision-making process, ethicalacceptability and the freedom of choice for all of ourfellow citizens.Medical biotechnology is set to play an increasinglyimportant role in preventing, diagnosing and treatingdisease. The Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport ishighly enthusiastic about medical biotechnology andits applications, and supports research in the field ofLife Sciences. To develop policy on the issue, theMinistry set up the Dutch Forum for Biotechnologyand Genetics, together with other Dutch ministries,scientists and practitioners.The Netherlands is a densely populated country whereissues concerning space have to be consideredcarefully. The aim of VROM is to make living,working, recreation and moving inside the Netherlandspleasant. The Ministry wants to stimulate inhabitantsand companies in the Netherlands to approach issueson nature, environment and raw materials in aresponsible way. VROM establishes conditions for theabove in agreement with citizens, interest groups andsocial organisations. It creates regulations anddistributes subsidies for improving the country's livingenvironment.Life Sciences in the Netherlands 13