New Centre to Help Companies Innovate more Safely and Sustainably

TNO, RIVM, VNCI, and the Dutch Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management are teaming up to launch a national knowledge hub focused on making chemical innovation safer and more sustainable from the ground up. Rather than identifying risks only after products reach the market — as happened with PFAS — the centre aims to embed health and environmental considerations into the design process from day one. It will offer companies practical guidance through training, workshops, and tools to help them phase out harmful substances and adopt better alternatives. Each partner brings a distinct role: TNO handles industry collaboration, RIVM contributes regulatory knowledge, and VNCI connects with its member companies, all funded by the Ministry. The centre is expected to launch later in 2026 and will eventually link up with a wider European network on the same theme.