Approval of the Polymer Innovation Programme by the Ministry of Economic Affairs
We are extremely pleased to inform you that we received today the formal letter of approval of the budget for the Polymer Innovation Programme. The letter is signed by Maria van der Hoeven, Dutch Minister for Economic Affairs. The approved budget amounts to EUR 49,55 million for the period 2008-2011. The Dutch Polymer Institute and the DPI Value Centre are responsible for the execution of the Polymer Innovation Programme, in close cooperation with the National Chemistry Board.
The approved budget also includes the Roadmap Process Intensification and the Roadmap Human Capital, being part of the business plan of the National Chemistry Board and amounts to EUR 53,35 million in total. The ministry approved the budget for the period till 2011, stipulating that the targets announced in the annual workplans - which of course match the targets of the approved business plan- will be achieved. SenterNovem will monitor the whole programme. On the basis of an evaluation to be held in 2010, the budget will be continued with at least another two years. This so-called rolling model will guarantee the continuity of the polymer innovation programme.
"We are extremely glad with the decision of the minister. Now the government invests again substantially in polymers and plastics together with companies and knowledge institutes. With this new programme we will pay more attention to SMEs and to valorization of innovation. With this ambitious programme the Netherlands will be able to maintain their leading position in the field of polymers, and we are also able to strengthen our excellent international ranking."
Jacques Joosten
Managing Director