Speech at the opening of the new Neste Oil refinery

Toespraak | 19-12-2011

Friends from Finland, ladies and gentlemen,

It’s a pleasure to open this new state-of-the art refinery.

Mr Leenders, I love your idea of climbing mountains here in the Delta of the Maas. It adds a whole new dimension to our flat country.

Seriously, though. We are facing tremendous challenges. Ranging from climate change, ageing and shortages of raw materials and energy, to feeding nine billion people in 2050. The overriding question is: how can we strengthen our capacity for growth, and at the same time make growth more sustainable?

To find solutions, we all need to take our share of the responsibility. And join forces. We need partnerships between industries. And between companies, researchers, NGOs and governments.

This refinery is a big gain for the Netherlands and for Europe. As Europe’s largest renewable diesel refinery, it represents a huge investment in our economy. It was in fact the second largest foreign investment decision in 2009!

But that’s not all! This refinery will also help to generate more sustainable growth.

First, the refinery contributes to meeting both national and European targets for clean fuels, energy security and CO2 reduction. Living up to Finland’s reputation as a top country for bio-energy! Bio-energy, including biodiesel, is a cost-efficient means to achieve our goal of generating 14 per cent of our energy from renewable sources by 2020. A target we are already approaching.

Second, Neste Oil is serious about doing business with respect for people and planet. By committing to using sustainably produced biomass as much as possible. And by investing in future energy sources. This will help prevent biofuel and food production competing for land and water.

And third, Neste’s activities will help the Netherlands climb its own mountain – our ambition to lead the field in the transition to a bio-based economy.

Neste’s choice of Rotterdam reinforces our position as a major biomass hub in Europe. A position we owe to our world-class agri-food and energy sectors, our leading research centre in Wageningen and our outstanding logistics, thanks to the main ports of Rotterdam and Amsterdam. A position reflected at the energy exchange APX-ENDEX in Amsterdam, where biomass is now being traded alongside gas and electricity.

The transition to a bio-based economy requires the combined efforts of government, business, the research community and NGOs. That’s the kind of cooperation my innovation policy focuses on.

We are making progress. Five top sectors of our economy – energy, chemicals, agri-food, horticulture and logistics – have recently teamed up to make the bio-based economy come true. By joining forces, these sectors can tap into a European market estimated at 350 to 450 billion euros! That’s an opportunity for green growth we need to seize with both hands!

I’m happy that Neste has joined in, by investing in both this new refinery and research into new generations of bio-fuels produced from algae and microbes.

You are a valuable partner in innovation!

Ladies and gentlemen,

The Dutch government appreciates your efforts.

In return, I am commited to maintaining our excellent investment climate.

A climate that was praised most recently in a study by Deloitte. A climate to which our Netherlands Foreign Investment Agency contributes by helping smooth the way for foreign investors.

As you experienced yourselves!

I am also committed to strengthening our capacity for innovation.

By making it cheaper to invest in innovation.

By improving access to capital for R&D.

By stimulating partnerships between companies and researchers.

You have already benefited from our innovation policy, and I encourage you to continue doing so!

Mr Leenders, you have just asked the Dutch government to increase the percentage of biodiesel in fossil fuels. As you know, my colleague Joop Atsma, the State Secretary for Infrastructure and the Environment, is currently discussing the matter with parliament. We want to prevent negative consequences such as competition between bio-fuels and food. And we are committed to increasing the percentage of biodiesel gradually, to reach the European target of 10 percent in 2020.

In the meantime, we will try to help you in another way.

The industry recently asked me to back efforts to abolish the current EU import duty on sustainable crude palm oil produced in accordance with the standards of the Round Table on Sustainable Palm Oil. I agree that we have to abolish these import duties. So I will actively back your claim in Brussels! We should make it easier to do business sustainably.

Ladies and gentlemen,

Let me conclude. With this refinery and its activities in the Netherlands and elsewhere, Neste Oil contributes to a more competitive and sustainable economy.

It reinforces the Netherlands’ position as a European biomass hub and a leader in the bio-based economy.

And it increases the availability of clean fuels.

All of this contributes to a more sustainable future for the Netherlands, for Europe and the rest of the world.

The Dutch are ready to climb mountains, like you are.

So let’s climb them together!

The slopes ahead are steep.

Yet today, we have every reason to celebrate.

Congratulations on this new refinery!