Just Transition Platform project fiche : Chemelot Circular Hub

This document is part of a series presenting information and lessons learned on policy approaches at national, regional or local level supporting a just transition to a climate-neutral economy. The Just Transition Platform (JTP) assists EU Member States and regions to unlock the support in this transition. Regional and Urban PolicyCHEMELOT CIRCULAR HUB The Chemelot Circular Hub (CCH) initiative is a collective alliance by public and private stakeholders in the ARRA region (Antwerp, Rotterdam, Rhine-Ruhr Area) that aims to be a growth accelerator towards a circular society, concentrated on the Research & Innovation of materials and chemicals. To achieve this goal, a broad alliance of companies, governments and knowledge institutes has developed a joint Circular Economy Action Plan and Investment Agenda 2020-2030. The initiative aims to open up new perspectives for industry, science and the economy, and a cleaner and healthier living environment for residents. Currently, 21 projects are in progress or preparation, ranging from the realisation of sustainable circular raw material flows to the electrification of processes. The educational system will be transformed by training the teaching staff with new circular knowledge and skills - within the Circular Academy. Furthermore, CCH is planning the creation of a living environment, starting with test neighbourhoods and centres such as city labs, where the circular society emerges in connectivity between knowledge centres such as Brightlands Chemelot Campus and the urban environment. Within this context, CCH acts as one large laboratory, where start-ups, scale-ups, science and the chemical industry work closely together. Training programs aimed at circularity ensure the connection with a vital labour market and offer new job opportunities. One of the pillars of the Hub is linked to circular competencies, to strengthen the employment market's position in the region, and transforming the educational system and training the teaching staff with new circular knowledge and skills via the Circular Academy is on the agenda.