The Brightlands Circular Space represents a research and innovation initative, aiming to be one of the first fully circular demonstrator for circular materials and contribute to the circularity of the chemicals and plastics industry on site.

Industrial Ecosystem

Description

The initiative is part of the Brightlands’ circular materials ecosystem in Sittard-Geleen and closely associated with the Brightlands Chemelot Campus and Chemelot Industrial Park, located in one of the world’s largest chemical clusters, the Antwerp-Rotterdam-Roer-Rhine Area (ARRRA). The industrial park is characterized by two major product lines: naphtha/gasoil through hydrocarbons to plastics and natural gas through ammonia to organic and specialty chemicals. The ownership of the park is shared between Circle Infra Partners and Basalt Infrastructure - infrastructure ownership and management - the Municipality of Sittard-Geleen, and the Privince of Limburg

Ecosystem metrics

• Emissions: 5.8 Mt CO2e GHG emitted annually (2019)

• GDP contribution: 20% of the region's gross value contributed annually (2019)

• Jobs: 8,100 jobs 

Project Activities and Assets

Description

Led by an alliance of companies, institutes and government agencies - Brightlands Chemelot Campus, Maastricht University and TNO - the Brightlands Circular Space offers an advanced environment and expertise for research, development, analysis, as well as testing and scaling up for the reuse of plastics. Starting in late 2026, these capabilities will be combined in a new open demonstration facility at Brightlands Chemelot Campus, working on the circular future of plastics with the aim of recycling 50% of the cluster’s plastics by 2030.

Impact

• Emissions: • 50% CO2e GHG prevented annually in 2030