VNCI Annual Report 2014

Annual Report 2014

Chemistry Our passion Your future

Contents This is the VNCI Foreword

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VNCI Annual Report 2014

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Facts and Figures Services and Business Environment Statutoty regulations Education and Innovation Communication C3 Foundation Finances VNCI-Board VNCI-Agency Colophon

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VNCI | Contents

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This is the VNCI The voice of the chemical industry in the Netherlands In the chain from raw materials to the finished product, the VNCI represents companies that manufacture their products with the aid of chemical processes. In this respect, the mission of the VNCI is clear: it wants to create optimal conditions to promote the operation, growth and quality of the chemical industry and create a sustainable business environment. The members play a major role in that process: they determine the association’s policy and provide it with effectiveness. The VNCI has close contact with its members, listens to what is happening in the industry and acts as a channel of communication for the chemical sector in the Netherlands.

The VNCI represents its member companies in ministerial working groups, executive governmental departments, organisations and stakeholders’ organisations. It consults with members of Dutch and European parliaments. The VNCI gives the chemical industry an important voice in the Dutch employers’ organisation VNO-NCW (with a seat on the board) and the European Chemical Industry Council, Cefic. In addition, the VNCI enters into cooperative ventures with parties in order to further the interests of its members.

The VNCI is an efficient organisation with 35 highly qualified employees. It implements the decisions of its members and provides support for them. The key objectives of its policy centre on the key themes of Sustainability, Economics, Energy and Raw Materials, Innovation, Climate, Environment, Education, Responsible Care, Chemicals and Safety. The communications department takes care of all policy communications.

Turnover and employment In 2014, the Dutch chemical industry achieved a turnover of €49 billion (€56 billion including pharma). The sector (including the rubber and plastics industries) contributed more than 2% to the Dutch Gross Domestic Product. In 2014, there were approximately 44,000 people working in the Dutch chemical industry (57,000 including pharma).

Competitive position Improving the competitiveness of the chemical industry was a major focus for the VNCI in 2014. The lower price of oil provided the sector with slightly more breathing space in the second half of the year. Exports rose by almost 2% in 2014 and the chemical industry made a positive contribution to the balance of trade of €24 billion (49% of total goods exports).

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Foreword

Werner Fuhrmann Chairman

Colette Alma Director

Competing sustainably through Responsible Care In 2014, the Dutch and European chemical industries were still feeling the presure of challenging global competition. Fortunately, the lower price of oil gave us some breathing space in the second half of the year, enabling the year to end with a satis­fying result. We also used this breathing space to do everything in our power to im­prove conditions and to jointly ensure that the Dutch chemical industry can remain a flourishing sector in Europe and the world.

We did this in the interest of our industry but particularly because we are convinced that the innovative Dutch chemical sector can make an essential contribution to solving major societal issues, such as the scarcity of raw materials and food problems in the world. An essential precondition for this is that our industry enjoys a good, predictable business environment in the Netherlands. This is something that Dutch Minister of Economic Affairs Henk Kamp underlined even more emphatically last year: in dialogue with him and his ministry, we took firm steps towards strengthening the chemical industry in the Netherlands. In this regard, we are paying particular attention to the strength of the major chemical clusters in the country.

Responsible Care (RC) is an essential precondition for building on all of these fine, sustainable innovations. In other words, sustainable development cannot be achieved without this constant improvement programme in the fields of safety, health, environment and chain management to which we have committed ourselves as a pro­fessional association and as an industry.

In the past reporting period too, the VNCI and its members have made great efforts in the field of RC, which can all be read about in the RC report. But not only there, because the achievements in 2013 reported by members in the annual RC survey are now also being used in the Staat van Veiligheid (‘Safety Status’) – the government report into the observance and safety performance of all companies subject to the Major Accidents (Risks) Decree (BRZO). They have been incorporated into this as part of the Veiligheid Voorop (‘Safety First’) report that the VNCI and its partners deliver every year.

VNCI | Foreword

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The ambition is to further develop Responsible Care and sustainability as a cohesive whole. The first sustainability report published by the VNCI in 2014 and the revised Responsible Care Global Charter, in which Contributing to sustainability is now mentioned explicitly, provide good starting points for this. The chemical sector will draw up its own sustainability agenda this year.

From this year onwards, our annual report and the RC report will be published as an integrated, concise and clearly organised document. In this publication, you will find all of our efforts in the fields of Responsible Care, education and innovation, services and business environment, statutory regulations, communication and public affairs clearly set out. All in all, a lot of work was put into strengthening the competitiveness of the Dutch chemical industry in 2014. And we are continuing to do that.

Werner Fuhrmann, chairman and Colette Alma, director

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Facts and Figures

Fact and figures about the chemical industry in the Netherlands – 2014

Fig. 1: Turnover of the Dutch chemical industry 65

The Netherlands has favourable commercial conditions for the chemical industry because all of the right preconditions are in place. For example, important raw materials are available or can be easily imported, and an extensive transport network provides access to the European market. Furthermore, Holland is a leading country in terms of chemical research and education.

Together with the Dutch culture and mentality, these elements result in a strong chemical industry that is a cornerstone of the economy and takes the lead in sustainable development and business.

Turnover Last year, net turnover in the chemical industry dropped for the first time since the years of recovery following the crisis. In 2014, net turnover was €56 billion (€49 billion excluding pharma) – a drop of approximately 2% compared with 2013. This drop was caused by a reduction in prices. Production increased slightly. At more than 2%, the sector (including the rubber and plastics industry) continued to make a major contribution to the Dutch Gross Domestic Product.

billions of euros

60 55 50 45 40 35

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

Source: CBS

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Production volume

produced in the Netherlands. Imports dropped by more than 1% to €51 billion in 2014. In 2014, the chemical industry contributed €24 billion to the balance of trade, representing 49% of total goods exported.

In 2014, the production volume of the chemical in­dustry rose to 102 index points (based on the 2010 base year, excluding pharma). This represents a rise of 1% compared with 2013.

Exports to the United Kingdom (+10%) and Asia (+5%) have risen in particular. Exports to the United States have dropped by more than 10% and exports to Italy by 20%. Exports of chemical products amount to more than 17% of exported goods and 19% of exported goods

Fig. 2: Production volume index

Fig. 3: Contribution of the Dutch chemical industry to the balance of trade (in billions of euros)

110

index

100

105

80

100

60

95 40

90

20

85 80

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

2006

Source: CBS

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

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Trade 80% of the chemical products manufactured in the Netherlands are exported. A further 80% of these go to European countries. In 2014, exports rose by almost 2% to a sum of €76 billion.

-40 -60

Imports

Exports of Dutch products

Re-exports

Balance of trade

Source: CBS

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Employment In 2014, there were approximately 57,000 people working in the chemical industry, 13,000 of whom worked in the pharmaceutical industry. Approximately one third of the personnel in the sector have higher vocational qualifications or higher. More than two-thirds of the personnel have intermediate vocational qualifications.

Research and development Innovation is essential for the Dutch chemical industry and is reflected in the investments that the sector makes in research and development. The chemical industry in the Netherlands spends about 1.25% of its turnover on in-house research and development – approximately ₏750 million (2012 figures).

Fig. 4 Division of exports of the Dutch chemical industry

United States 4%

Other Americas 3%

Africa 2%

Oceania 1% Germany 20%

Asia 9%

Belgium 13%

Other European 17%

Turkey 2% Sweden 2% Spain 4%

United Kingdom 9% Italy 5%

France 9%

Source: CBS

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Services and Business Environment

Trade policy

Last year, trade policy continued to be a focus of attention. The trade agreement with the U.S. offers historic opportunities.

TTIP Like the European and American trade associations Cefic and ACC, the VNCI is a major advocate of the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP), on which negotiations were also in full swing last year.

The VNCI has informed civil servants at national level regarding the importance of the TTIP for the chemical industry. The standpoint of the chemical industry towards the TTIP – which focuses principally on recognition of different standards, the phasing out of customs

tariffs and import duties, and access to energy sources in the U.S. – is shared by various businesses.

Whilst negotiations regarding the TTIP are still in progress, the trade agreement between the European Union and Canada (CETA) was completed last year.

Although Canada does not have a large chemical industry and investments between the Netherlands and Canada are limited, the VNCI is pleased that this agreement has been concluded.

On a European level, Cefic has involved itself in the discussions in progress regarding the modernisation of the EU commercial policy toolset. The VNCI has discussed this with representatives of the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

In these discussions, the VNCI has also explained its standpoint opposing the automatic granting of Market Economy Status (MES) to China. This position is relevant to trade disputes regarding dumping.

The VNCI has a representative on the Dutch Trade and Investment Board chaired by the Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation, Lilianne Ploumen. Our representative receives support from the VNCI agency. These discussions are important for various reasons. They enable direct contact with the minister and with the Directorate General for External Economic Relations in order to address issues regarding international trade. The strategic travel agendas of ministers are also discussed here, which is important for trade and investment missions.

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And the VNCI has proposed a pilot scheme focussing on the future earning model of Netherlands Ltd.

Strategic acquisition A major focus of the VNCI is Strategic Acquisition.

Co-operation on this point with the Netherlands Foreign Investment Agency (NFIA) and Top Sector Chemical Industry is now showing positive results.

Covenant In In July 2014, the VNCI, Top Sector Chemical Industry and the NFIA signed a covenant to strengthen the Strategic Acquisition of the Dutch chemical industry.

This formalises existing co-operation and clearly sets down the intentions of the parties involved. The profitability of this co-operation is shown in the increase of foreign investment in the Netherlands in spite of strong competition from other European countries and other continents. Seventeen projects were completed last year by companies including Yara, Celanese and ICL. These were worth â‚Ź275 million and have provided 876 jobs.

In 2014, the VNCI supplied the international secretary of Top Sector Chemical Industry, who supervises the international agenda.

Participation in trade fairs As part of the joint venture with the NFIA and Top Sector Chemical Industry, the VNCI was present for the fourth time at the BIO World Congress on Industrial Biotechnology in Philadelphia last year. In a similar way, it also took part in the Brazilian biotechnology trade fair in order to establish a good relationship between Dutch and Brazilian companies and research institutions. At the moment, trade between both countries is not yet at a very high level but there is great potential.

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Statutory regulations

As an important ‘Top Sector’, the chemical industry is one of the ‘lucky few’ to benefit from an easing of the regu­latory burden. With support from the Ministry of Economic Affairs, the chemical sector is benefitting from a tailor-made approach to reducing the regulatory burden.

Bottlenecks In 2014, the VNCI participated in a working group with all relevant parties in order to identify the right solutions for the most important nuisances and irritations.

These bottlenecks are mostly in the interpretation and application of rules regarding the granting of licences, and supervision and enforcement by the many different authorities. For this reason, the solutions must also be sought in consultation with these authorities.

European regulatory burden At European level, the regulatory burden of the chemical industry in relation to competitiveness has been, since last year, the subject of a major survey commissioned by the European Commission (Cumulative Cost Assessment for the Chemical Industry). The VNCI has been involved in this via Cefic and various member companies have been taking part in the survey. The report on the survey will probably be published in the summer of 2015.

Environmental Planning Act The ambitious plan to combine all legislation regarding the physical living environment in a single Environmental Planning Act has taken form. The proposal went to Parliament and the VNCI followed this closely.

We wrote to Parliament about the friction between general national rules and the need for a more flexible approach to granting environmental permits, as well as about the importance of the Act for the investment climate and providing space for innovation.

Although the Act still only sketches frameworks and the final form will only become clear through the more detailed regulations, the choices made now will be of major importance to the future regulatory burden and the investment climate in the Netherlands. The

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possibility of fees being levied for the environmental component of the permit is a major and undesirable example.

Activities Directive The VNCI also responded to the draft of the ‘fourth tranche’ of the Activities Directive that translates the Dutch air emissions directive (NeR) into general regu­lations. Most of our comments were directed at the proposed rules for regulating very high-concern chemicals and the calculation model for costeffectiveness.

Open Government private member’s bill The VNCI took part in the parliamentary round-table discussions on the Open Government private member’s bill that is intended to replace the Government In­ formation (Public Access) Act. The VNCI expressed its concern about the basic principle that all infor­mation received by the government should be recorded. This harms the relationship between companies and the government. Companies also inform the government about issues that they do not, strictly speaking, have to report. The VNCI is of the opinion that it cannot be intended that it should be so easy to access this information anywhere in the world.

Seveso III Directive The revised Seveso Directive (III) – directed at companies with risks that could lead to severe incidents – must be implemented in the Netherlands in June 2015. The VNCI responded to the draft of a new BRZO directive. One of our objections was to the broad and unconditional possibility of setting requirements in a ministerial regulation. The VNCI also called for stricter implementation of the guideline and its concepts to prevent it from being even more broadly interpreted in the Netherlands.

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Education and Innovation

In order to raise education and inno­vation in the Top Sector Chemical Industry to an even higher level, a focus in 2014 was the transitions towards the structure needed for this. The following were particularly relevant in this respect: • Transition plan of the Top Consortia for Knowledge and Innovation (TKI) Chemistry; • SME Support Centre for Top Sector Chemical and Energy Industries; • Network of I-Labs and COCIs; • Human Capital Agenda;

Transition plan of the TKI Chemical Industry Via its Innovation Supervisory Group, the VNCI has actively collaborated on the restructuring of the Top Sector Chemical Industry as expressed in the Top Sector Chemical Industry Transition Plan so that it can be even more effective in the future. Four TKIs have been merged into one with four programme boards: advanced chemical materials, chemical nanotech­nology & devices, chemical conversion, process technology & synthesis and chemistry of life.

Within these themes, the programme boards establish the outlines of research for the years to come.

Half of the sixty programme board members come from business (many of them are VNCI members) and the other half from universities and knowledge

institutions. A newly appointed sector board is going to advise the board of the Top Sector Chemical Industry. Here too there are about ten VNCI members.

In addition, there is the TKI agency that supports activities, deals with communications for the Top Sector, maintains international contacts and organises activities in the field of human capital. The VNCI’s key objective manager for Education and Innovation and the Communi­cations and Public Affairs manager are part of the TKI agency.

SME Support centre Innovation and industrial activity go hand in hand.

At the end of 2014, it was decided to set up an SME Support Centre for the Top Sector Chemical and Energy Industries: a single point of referral for all

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SMEs with innovation-related ambitions and questions.

The Support Centre (which will enter operation in 2015) will provide assistance for SMEs in these two Top Sectors with questions and bottlenecks that they may encounter from innovation to the marketplace. The SME Support Centre will also be the national coordi­ nator for all I-Labs and COCIs in the Netherlands, which together constitute an important innovation springboard for SMEs.

The VNCI attaches great importance to supporting SMEs and has therefore closely involved itself in this initiative, which comes under the Top Sector Chemistry and receives basic financial backing from the Ministry of Economic Affairs. The VNCI was involved in designing this support centre concept and in the application procedure for a suitable director. It will also continue to make time available to ensure, among other things, that its SME members will soon be able to find their way to the Support Centre. Latexfalt managing director Bert Jan Lommerts, a representative of SMEs in the Top Team Chemistry, has a seat on the supervisory board.

I-Labs and COCIs

HCA

Also last year, the network of I-Labs and COCIs – ‘appointed’ by the Top Team Chemistry – was expanded further. In April, Gerard van Harten, the chairman of the Top Sector Chemical Industry opened the Innovation Lab Biobased Products Wageningen (I-Lab Wageningen). This is the first I-Lab in the Netherlands to focus on the bio-based economy.

Last year, the Human Capital Agenda (HCA) 2015-2016 of the Top Sector Chemistry was established. The VNCI has seconded an HCA coordinator to the Top Sector to develop this further. The HCA agenda is different to what it used to be and puts more emphasis on the link between education and business. The VNCI was involved in the transition through its Education policy group.

So gradually a dense national innovation infrastructure is being created. More detailed agreements were made about further development and coordination in a national meeting held by the Top Sector Chemical Industry and the VNCI with representatives from I-Labs and COCIs.

I-Labs (Innovation Labs), housed on university campuses, are facilities for researchers that wish to market an innovation. If an innovation moves beyond this stage, it is moved to a Centre for Open Chemical Innovation (COCI) on an industrial estate, where small start-ups are clustered. The innovation can then be accelerated and scaled up.

The aim of the Human Capital Agenda is to ensure sufficient, well-qualified personnel for the sector for present and future needs and at the various edu­cational levels.

An important HCA tool for increasing admissions to chemistry courses are the Top Sector Chemical Industry Grants. Last year, for the third time, thanks to financial contributions from its members, the VNCI was able to disburse a total of 31 grants to under­ graduates, 11 of which were new. Apart from the VNCI, Top Sector Chemical Industry Grants are also made available by COAST and ISPT. Since the start in 2011, there has been a visible increase in admissions to chemistry courses.

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5

Communication

Improving the competitiveness of the chemical industry was the VNCI’s most important point of focus in 2014.

Activities relating to communications and public affairs were also geared to this.

In the media Last year, VNCI chair Werner Fuhrmann and director Colette Alma appeared in various media – including current affairs programme Nieuwsuur – to raise awareness about high energy prices in Europe and the worsening investment climate in the Netherlands.

Various VNCI press releases were used extensively by

the national media such as BNR Nieuwsradio, Trouw, Volkskrant, AD and Het Financieele Dagblad.

There were also a considerable number of journalists attending the press conference titled ‘The future of the chemical industry is innovation’. This resulted in various publications and an interview with Colette Alma on the BNR news programme De ochtendspits.

During the press conference, Colette Alma and Bert Jan Lommerts, a member of the Top Team Chemical Industry and managing director of Latexfalt, provided insight into the current situation regarding innovation in the Dutch chemical sector. In addition, four companies presented their innovations: the start-ups Pectcof and E-stone Batteries, SME Ursa Paint and the Yara chemical company.

The VNCI also collaborated on a special supplement to Het Financieele Dagblad about the chemical industry and biotech.

Online The launch of the new VNCI website (www.vnci.nl) last year has made the VNCI’s standpoints easier to find.

The site is more user-friendly and is integrated with Ledennet which provides extra information for VNCI members. In 2014, the site received an average of 7,500 visits per month from 4,500 unique visitors, with 20,000 page views.

The website www.veiligheidvoorop.nu is also now online. This provides full information about the Veiligheid Voorop (‘Safety First’) programme, which aims

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at further increasing safety in its affiliated sectors (including the chemical sector). This website is visited by an average of 500 people a month.

Moreover, www.periodieksysteem.com was launched at the end of 2013. This website is a VNCI initiative in collaboration with the C3 Foundation and presents all the elements in the periodic table with their most relevant applications. The website has since proven to be a great success with an average of 4,000 visitors per month and growing.

Chemie is Overal (‘Chemistry is Everywhere’) is still a frequently visited site that provides various target groups with information. The site publishes an easily accessible, weekly blog about chemistry.

The VNCI is increasingly active in social media. This means that people no longer have to specifically visit the website in order to catch up with the latest news.

For example, the VNCI has more than 3,400 followers on Twitter, 3,000 members on LinkedIn and more than 200 fans on Facebook. A survey into Twitter behaviour and response by ClipIt and Porter Novelli put the VNCI in second place after the RAI Association.

The weekly newsletter Chemie Nieuwsbrief has more than 4,000 subscribers – over 1,000 more than at the end of 2013. Half of these open the newsletter every week – a percentage that is a lot higher than the average of no more than 10 per cent.

industry’ was also introduced in which professionals tell about their positive experiences in the industry.

Chemie Magazine

Public Affairs

The monthly Chemie Magazine also provided a lot of support for the chemical industry in 2014 by showing examples of innovation and discussing the most important issues. For example, the magazine featured interviews with a number of CEOs regarding the loss of competitiveness of the Dutch chemical industry and the need for action. The results of the VNCI survey into chemistry courses – more admissions and better gearing to demand – were also examined. And there were interviews with political leaders in the run-up to the European elections. Attention was also paid to the role of the chemical industry in the bio-based economy. In addition, there were interviews with Secretary of State for the Ministry of Infrastructure and the Environment Wilma Mansveld about safety, with Greenpeace director Sylvia Borren about the VNCI’s first sustainability report and with chairman Gerard van Harten about the new structure of the Top Sector Chemical Industry. As in 2013, a section was devoted to the Plant Manager of the Year. A new series titled ‘Working in the chemical

Besides the meetings that the VNCI had with elected officials on all sorts of subjects – including competitiveness in 2014 – the VNCI, together with VNO-NCW, VEMW and Vewin had an impact analysis carried out into the cabinet’s plans to amend the Tap Water Tax (BoL). In June, the Secretary of State of Finance Eric Wiebes announced that he would uphold the objections arising from the impact analysis and reverse the plans.

The VNCI is pleased that the State recognises that the proposed measure would be to the detriment of some companies.

There was extensive interaction with social media through sharing on Twitter and LinkedIn.

True to tradition, at the end of the year a dinner was held with elected officials and civil servants. During the evening, the many guests discussed the future of the chemical industry in detail, as well as its capacity to innovate and what is needed for that.

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Young People in the Chemical Industry The VNCI’s Young Professional Network has joined JIDC (Young People in the Chemical Industry), a plat­form for young professionals working in the production, trade, storage and/or transport of chemical products. JIDC offers young people in the chemical industry the opportunity to meet each other informally and exchange ideas during lectures, company visits and network meetings.

The VNCI annual meeting The theme of the VNCI’s annual meeting was ‘The chemical industry as a basis for sustainability’. Among the guests who gave their opinions on the VNCI’s first sustainability report were Prince Carlos de Bourbon de Parma (Sustainable Innovation & Development), Jasper Wesseling (Ministry of Economic Affairs) and Sylvia Borren (Greenpeace). Creative designer and inspirer Daan Roosegaarde also showed innovative possibilities for sustainability and innovation, and Latexfalt won the Responsible Care Prize 2014 for its ‘rejuvenation cream’ for very open asphalt.

VNCI tagline

champions the interests of its members as much as possible. In this tagline, the VNCI also expresses the idea that the chemical industry can contribute more than any other sector to solutions for major social challenges.

The Chemical Conference Deloitte, Rabobank, TNO and the VNCI held the 2104 Chemical Conference on the theme of ‘Where Agri meets Chemicals’. Deloitte presented a survey that showed that the Netherlands has a strong position in supplying raw materials (such as sugar beet) for the fermentation-based chemical industry.

PES The Pan-European Survey shows that the chemical industry in the Netherlands has a better reputation than it had two years ago, with both the general public and opinion leaders taking a more positive position.

They also know that chemical products contribute to a better environment. Yet there is still room for improvement, mostly with regard to what the general public knows about the contribution of the chemical industry to resolving major social challenges.

‘Chemistry, Our passion, Your future’ is the tagline that the VNCI introduced last year. The VNCI regards itself as the mouthpiece of the chemical industry and

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6

C3 Foundation

The C3 Foundation in 2014

Results in 2014

The C3 Foundation has more than twenty years’ ex­ perience in explaining the ins and outs of the chemical industry to young people. It brings chemistry to life and gives young people the opportunity to discover their talents. C3 enthuses children about science and technology and inspires young people to study and work in the chemical sector. The focus is firmly on the interests of the target group. Based on this vision, C3 has initiated a number of projects such as ‘Expedition Chemistry’ for children and the job-based project ‘Exactly what you’re looking for’ for young adults.

Resultaten in 2014

In many respects, 2014 was a successful year for C3.

August 2014 saw the printing of 80,000 copies of the ‘experiments leaflet’ – 20,000 more than last year.

This experiments leaflet stimulates children to work on experiments at home to further discover chemistry.

More than 10,000 children were introduced to chemistry in the ‘children’s labs’. The updated website www.C3.nl/kids attracted 31,556 visitors. New features in 2014 were the development of the ‘pre-school guide’ and the Jet-Net Junior project ‘Make pearls’. Both focused on implementing research-based learning in the classroom. A total of 28 parents from the business world, 31 teachers and 27 classes took part in the new Jet-Net Junior project.

More than 3,500 young people were introduced to study and job prospects in the chemical sector through the interactive C3 stands at the Jet-Net Career Days (upper high-school and pre-university) and Spot on jobs (lower high-school). Also, 5,000 pupils visited a technological company during the ‘Week of Process Technology’. The Lab Experience Days (LED) were once again a success in 2014, with the first ever Lab Experience Day held in the evening. 196 young people and 205 parents visited a laboratory and were introduced to laboratory techniques. 98 per cent of the young people and 95 per cent of the parents said that they had acquired a better picture of laboratory techniques and career opportunities. In the information project on higher vocational courses in applied sciences, the first

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steps were taken towards a digital campaign aimed at upper high-school and pre-university students.

C3 is safeguarding the position of chemistry in education through its participation in various networks.

For example, C3 is part of the networks Techniekpact, Jet-Net, TechniekTalent, PPN, the steering committee of the Vaksteunpunt Scheikunde (Chemistry Career Support Centre), school textbook publishers and the Bèta Challenge Programme.

Partnerships These successes would not have been possible without the support of partners. The C3 Foundation’s permanent partners, the VNCI, the DAS Foundation, OVP, KNCV and NWO, and the project partners, support it both financially and practically. In 2014, many VNCI members made use of the knowledge and expertise of C3 with regard to the interests of children and young people in their company activities.

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7

Finances

The draft budget for 2014 was established by the board in November 2012 and adopted by the members’ general assembly on 30 May 2013.

Based on expectations for 2013, the board established the final budget in November 2013, which was approved by the general assembly on 19 June 2014.

The VNCI 2014 financial report has been audited by Ernst & Young Accountants. The financial statements presented in this annual report are an abbreviated version of this. Members may peruse the full VNCI 2014 financial report at the secretariat.

Result

General reserve

The 2014 statement of income and expenditure balanced with a surplus of €154,315. This was an improvement of €152,315 on the budgeted surplus of €2,000.

We propose that the positive result of €154,315 for the financial year 2014 should be appropriated as follows: • €172,300 to the general reserve; • €17,985 charged to the Image Programme special-purpose reserve.

Total income was €5,525,810. An amount of €5,470,000 was budgeted. This represents €55,810 higher revenues.

Total costs amounted to €5,371,495. An amount of €5,468,000 was budgeted, so expenses were €96,505 lower than budgeted.

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Notes to the balance sheet Principles of valuation and determination of results • The financial statements have been drawn up in accordance with the Dutch Guidelines for Annual Reporting 640 for ‘Not-for-profit organisations’ (Richtlijn voor de jaarverslaggeving 640, RJ 640).

• The tangible fixed assets are valued at purchase price less straight-line depreciation. The depre­ ciation percentages are dependent on the expected economic lifetime.

• Receivables are valued at nominal value less a pro­ vision deemed necessary for uncollectability.

• Securities concern bonds valued at nominal value: differences in purchasing and sale have been directly incorporated in the income statement. The intention is to retain the bonds until their expiry.

• Other items are valued at nominal value.

• Income and expenditure are allocated to the reporting year to which they relate.

• Rental expenditure amounted to €28,707 as of the inception date of the lease (1 July 2007). The lease is preceded by a rent-free period of effectively eight months. The rent-free period is divided over the duration of the contract, including the effective rentfree period, and reduces the monthly rental payment by €1,794.

• Pension costs refer to premiums and single premiums invoiced during the reporting year. If at the balance sheet date there is a legal or actual liability, a provision will be created for this and charged to the result.

Related parties The Synchem Plus Foundation shares the same board and thus must be consolidated in accordance with RJ 640. However, in view of the small size of this foundation in relation to the VNCI, it has been decided not to consolidate it in the financial statements of the VNCI.

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Balance sheet as of 31 December 2014 (after proposed appropriation)

Assets Fixed assets Tangible fixed assets

2014 € 112,255

2013 € 139,240

Liabilities Equity capital General reserve Image Programme special-purpose reserve

Current assets Receivables Securities Cash and cash equivalents

1,322,844

1,100,570

250,000

250,000

2,258,533

2,233,781

3,831,377

3,584,351

3,943,632

3,723,591

2014 €

2013 €

2,883,993

2,711,693

36,600

54,585

2,920,593

2,766,278

1,023,039

957,313

3,943,632

3,723,591

Short-term debts and accrued liabilities

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Statement of income and expenditure for 2014 Budgeted

Realised

Realised

2014

2014

2013

€

€

4,952,000

4,959,767

5,030,407

44,000

52,716

51,035

474,000

513,327

535,041

5,470,000

5,525,810

5,616,483

3,587,000

3,598,318

3,550,798

270,000

253,306

257,019

Catering

27,000

23,437

24,843

Inventory costs

41,000

48,145

41,459

Depreciation

70,000

61,902

58,941

Office expenses

80,000

68,053

74,796

Travel and conference expenses

121,000

125,087

118,717

Contribution to the C3 Foundation

155,000

155,000

155,000

Promotional expenses

161,000

121,957

331,298

Income Contributions Interest Other income

€

Expenditure Personnel costs Accommodation costs

Continued on page 24 VNCI | Annual Report 2014

23

Consultants General expenses

38,000

45,560

32,937

77,000

91,384

103,106

Key objective policy

150,000

98,082

202,255

Contributions

691,000

681,264

679,020

5,468,000

5,371,495

5,630,189

2,000

154,315

-/- 13,706

0

0

0

Result Proposal for appropriation of result Appropriation to Image Programme reserve Withdrawal to Image Programme reserve Appropriation to general reserve

0

-17,985

-77,424

2,000

172,300

63,718

2,000

154,315

-/- 13,706

VNCI | Annual Report 2014

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Audit report by the independent auditor To the Board of The Association of the Dutch Chemical Industry (VNCI) in The Hague The summary financial statements shown on pages 20 to 24 of the annual report, consisting of the summary balance sheet as of 31 December 2014 and the summary statement of income and expenditure with accompanying notes, are derived from the audited financial statements of The Association of the Dutch Chemical Industry as of 31 December 2014. We expressed an unqualified auditor’s opinion on those financial statements in our audit report dated 9 April 2015. The financial statements and this summary of them do not reflect the effects of events that occurred subsequent to the date of our report on those financial statements of 9 April 2015.

The summary financial statements do not comprise all notes required on the basis of the Dutch Guidelines for Annual Reporting 640 for ‘Not-for-profit organisations’.

Perusal of the summary financial statements can therefore not take the place of perusal of the audited financial statements of The Association of the Dutch Chemical Industry.

Responsibility of the auditor Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the summary financial statements based on our audit, which were conducted in accordance with Dutch Law, including the Dutch Standard on Auditing 810 ‘Engagements to report on summary financial statements’.

Opinion It is our opinion that the summary financial statements shown on pages 20 to 14 are consistent in all material aspects with the audited financial statements of The Asso­ciation of the Dutch Chemical Industry as of 2014 and in accordance with the prin­ciples described in the notes to the summary annual accounts.

The Hague, 10 june 2015 Ernst & Young Accountants LLP Signed by M.E. van Kimmenade RA MGA

Responsibility of the management board The board is responsible for drawing up a summary of the audited financial statements in accordance with the principles described in the notes to the summary annual accounts.

VNCI | Annual Report 2014

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8

VNCI-Board

VNCI Board

• In 2014, the Executive Board consisted of 26 people and was extended by the addition of 6 representatives of SME members.

• Messrs Koene, Langeveld, Van Noorden and Oostenrijk were re-elected.

• Messrs Berting, Egberink, Gaanderse, Hamm, Huisman, Kiewiet, Van der Lubbe, Ottenbros de Rooij and Pfeifer stepped down.

• Messrs Augustinus, Van Beek, Van Haasteren and Hartgerink were newly elected to the Management Board and Executive Board.

• Messrs Camelot, Fisch, Jongepier, Hofstede, Kolenbrander, König, Van der Meer, Schoemaker, Wagenmans and Wigmans were newly elected to the Executive Board.

VNCI | Annual Report 2014

26

Management Board

Executive Board (sequel)

W. Fuhrmann (voorzitter)

Akzo Nobel N.V.

D.J. Hartgerink

ExxonMobil Petroleum & Chemical

mr. drs. A. Nicolaï (vicevoorzitter)

DSM Nederland

J.L. Hofstede

AVEBE U.A.

A. van Beek

Dow Benelux B.V.

W. Jongepier

Hexion B.V.

drs. D.A. Benschop

Shell Nederland B.V.

F.J.C.M. Kempenaars

Trinseo Netherlands B.V. (voorheen Styron)

K. van Haasteren

SABIC

ir. R.J. Kiewiet

ChemCom Industries BV

D.J. Hartgerink

ExxonMobil Petroleum & Chemical

dr. R.S. Koene

RÜTGERS Resins BV

ir. R.J. Kiewiet

ChemCom Industries BV

drs. H.C. Kolenbrander

dr. ir. B.J. Lommerts

Latexfalt B.V.

VFIG, Vereniging van Fabrikanten van Industriële Gassen

C.L. König, MSc

ESD-SIC B.V.

C.P. Langeveld

VKP, Vereniging van Kunstmest Producenten

Executive Board W. Fuhrmann (voorzitter)

Akzo Nobel N.V.

dr. ir. B.J. Lommerts

Latexfalt B.V.

mr. drs. A. Nicolaï (vicevoorzitter)

DSM Nederland

ing. M.J. van der Meer

Huntsman Holland B.V.

drs. W. Augustinus

VHCP, Verbond van Handelaren in Chemische Produkten

J.H.M. van Noorden

NEA, Vereniging van Geur- en Smaakstoffenfabrikanten

A. van Beek

Dow Benelux B.V.

drs. C. van Oostenrijk

drs. D.A. Benschop

Shell Nederland B.V.

NRK, Federatie Nederlandse Rubber- en Kunststofindustrie

H. de Boon

Lyondellbasell Industries Holdings B.V.

J.J. Schoemaker

dr. D.M.A. Camelot

Corbion N.V.

Nederlandse Vereniging van Zeepfabrikanten NVZ

dr. M.A. Dutree

Nefarma Vereniging Innovatieve Geneesmiddelen Nederland

dr. T. Wigmans

Kisuma Chemicals B.V.

drs. M.L. van Wijhe

dr. H.M. Fisch

BASF Nederland B.V.

VVVF, Vereniging van Verf- en Drukinktfabrikanten

K. van Haasteren

SABIC

VNCI | Annual Report 2014

27

9

VNCI-Agency

Board

Legal affairs

dr. ir. Colette Alma-Zeestraten, MBA Managing Director

mr. Jos Roosen

Policy drs. Peter Bareman Key objective manager Safety, Health & Enviroment drs. Rein Coster Key objective manager Service Provision & Business Environment Onno de Vreede, MSc Key objective manager Education & Innovation

ir. Reinier Gerrits Key objective manager Energy & Climate ing. Macco Korteweg Maris Policy officer Health & Safety ing. Edwin de Roij Policy officer Environment

drs. Geoffrey Schouten Policy officer Responsible Care & Sustainability drs. Dirk van Well Policy officer Chemical Policy & Employment Hygiene

VNCI | Annual Report 2014

28

Communications drs. Irene van Luijken Manager Communications and Public Affairs drs. Fien Bosman-van Gelder Communications consultant Henk Engelenburg Public Affairs consultant

Linda Gerrits Communications officer, digitale media Jos de Gruiter Editor drs. Ingeborg van Honschooten Communications consultant

Igor Znidarsic Editor-in-chief Caroline Piet Interim communications consultant

Afra van der Linden Secretary Yvette van Steen secretaresse

Anouk Wensveen Secretary Sylvia Wubben Management secretary

Anja Franchimon Relationship management officer Zeno Kong Service desk employee

Claudia Smit-Raaphorst Head of management Jimmy Telwin Bookkeeper

Secretariat Amber Cornelissen Office manager Natasja Dijkhuizen Secretary Margaret van Polanen Petel Secretary

Administration and Management Pieter Heemskerk, AA Controller and head of administration Bibi van Duinen Systems management

VNCI | Annual Report 2014

29

Colophon The Association of the Dutch Chemical Industry (VNCI) P.O. Box 443 2260 AK Leidschendam The Netherlands Telephone: +31 (0)70 337 87 87 E-mail: info@vnci.nl www.vnci.nl June 2015

Supervised and coordinated by: Sjoerd Looijs, Geoffrey Schouten, Fien Bosman, Caroline Piet and Irene van Luijken Design: Optima Forma bv Text: Marloes Hooimeijer Editing: VNCI Photographs: VNCI, Shutterstock, iStock photo Although the utmost care has been observed in the making of this publication, no guarantees are given concerning any errors or mistakes, and the author(s), editors(s), and publisher therefore reject any liability whatsoever, in relation to damages of any nature whatsoever, which are the direct or indirect result of actions and/or decisions that are (partly) based on the information in this publication.

Š Copyright 2015, VNCI, Leidschendam All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a computerised data file, or disseminated in any form or in any way whatsoever, be it electronic, mechanical, by photocopying, recording, or in any other way without the prior written permission of the publisher: VNCI, P.O. Box 443, 2260 AK Leidschendam, The Netherlands.

VNCI | Annual Report 2014

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