Cosun news

06/01/2005

Suiker Unie and TOM present plan for agro-food cluster in West Brabant

Suiker Unie and Tuinbouwontwikkelingsmaatschappij (TOM) plan to develop an agro-food cluster in West Brabant. They presented this initiative in the final report entitled Agro- en Foodcluster West-Brabant. On 31 May, the province of North Brabant and the municipalities of Steenbergen and Halderberge responded positively in principle to the report. This opens the way for preparing follow-up steps for the actual start of the project. The province of North Brabant and the municipalities of Steenbergen and Halderberge have responded positively in principle to the report Agro- and Foodcluster West-Brabant. This report presents the initiative of Suiker Unie and Tuinbouwontwikkelingsmaatschappij (TOM) to develop an agro-food cluster in West Brabant. This positive reactions opens the way for preparing follow-up steps for the actual start of the project. The West Brabant agro-food cluster will be the first ever example of a new type of innovative business park. The aim is to achieve a profitable symbiosis between companies in the agricultural and food sectors, which will be located around the sugar production plant in Dinteloord and the planned large-scale glasshouse centre. A lot of hard work was carried out in recent months to give shape to the initiative, which consists of a combination of the Agro-Industrieel Complex Dinteloord (AICD) and a large-scale glasshouse centre. In its regional plan, the province indicates that is positively disposed towards studies for developing an innovative business cluster around the sugar refinery. According to the initiators’ plans, the AICD will occupy 295 ha, including an extension of about 125 ha on the existing Suiker Unie site. There will also be a net glasshouse area of 250 to 300 ha. This glasshouse centre will give practical expression to the policy document on cultivation under glass [Beleidsnota Glastuinbouw], which envisages the realisation of a project location of about 250 ha for glasshouse cultivation. West Brabant agro-food cluster The project involves the ambitious development of a sustainable business complex in which companies cooperate closely. For example, there will be joint use and exchange of residual heat, process water, carbon dioxide, products and residuals between the companies themselves (including the sugar refinery) and the glasshouse centre. The existing and new systems and utilities will be jointly utilised. Other ways in which the envisaged symbiosis can be realised include the joint purchasing of logistical and other services and the joint use of space and infrastructure. In this way the total burden on the environment will be reduced. Added value This combination of initiatives offers the region added economic, social and ecological value. They will stimulate the agricultural and food sectors and create additional opportunities for development and innovation. The amount of direct investment is estimated at € 1.6 billion over a period of 3 to 15 years. The planned small-scale offices and research facilities associated with the activities on the complex will be set in park-like surroundings. Existing knowledge will be shared between the companies and new knowledge will, whenever possible, be jointly developed and applied. The initiative will not lead to any increased nuisance for the residential area of Stampersgat and may even lead to a reduction. Moreover, it is estimated that the initiative will provide 2000 jobs. The quality of life in the nearby residential areas will be improved, in part through the arrival of new workers and their families. Land utilisation Another aim is the efficient utilisation of the available land. The project will be seamlessly integrated into the total business site. Existing land structures will be respected and optimally utilised. The development of the area will be an integral part of the project, and where necessary the internal structure will be improved. In consultation with the municipalities, for example, overloaded roads may be reclassified for slow traffic or as recreational routes. Transport by water will also take place, and a site has been reserved for a loading and unloading quay. Rainwater will be collected and used to water the crops. Storage capacity will therefore be needed, and initially the existing watercourses will be used for this purpose. It might be possible to make the ‘Derriekreek’ creek suitable and to use it as an ecological connecting zone. A contribution will therefore be made to strengthening the ecological structures in the vicinity of the complex. Similarly, the plans also include provisions for nature development. Initiators In the AICD, Suiker Unie will have the opportunity to participate in profitable symbiosis and cooperation with other companies in the agricultural and food sectors and thus cut costs, improve processes and products and strengthen the sustainability of the sugar refinery, partly through the environmental benefits gained by working with the other companies. According to the TOM, the project area is the most suitable location for a large-scale, sustainable glasshouse complex in West Brabant. The more so because coupling cultivation under glass with the sugar production plant and the AICD offers major benefits in terms of savings in energy, water and space. The two initiators have agreed to cooperate in the necessary spatial planning procedures. These concern amendments to the regional plan and a new zoning plan, and the necessary environmental impact studies. As far as possible, these procedures will be initiated and carried out in consultation with the relevant authorities. The initiators and the authorities intend to proceed with all possible speed. Consultations are currently taking place between the municipality of Steenbergen and the initiators concerning the limiting conditions for the development of the project. <<< back