iL-CURRENT
October 29, 2024
Carl Dortmans on the joy of innovation: "You learn the most from mistakes"
In Noord-Brabant, people are used to thinking outside the box. It is a Dutch high-tech region that focuses on pioneering solutions, entrepreneurial cooperation, knowledge transfer and innovation. The state of Baden-Württemberg and the province of Noord-Brabant have maintained close relations for a number of years. One of those responsible is Carl Dortmans, International Affairs Officer. Before the Clean Tech Innovation Day on November 11 (9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Heidelberg Congress Center), iL spoke to networker Dortmans about the innovative strength in the neighboring country and his mindset for the flying visit to the Rhine-Neckar metropolitan region here.
Mr. Dortmans, how does an institution like the TNO Holst Center Support from the province of Noord-Brabant?
Carl Dortmans: Holst receives support from the province of Brabant in various ways, including grants, infrastructure investments and community projects. The province can also help with the development of innovation, sustainability and economic growth initiatives.
Carl Dortmans, International Affairs Officer from the Netherlands: "Noord-Brabant wants to position itself as a pioneer in the hydrogen economy." Dortmans will be present in Heidelberg on November 11. Image: Private/Provincie Noord-Brabant
The province would like its focus on hydrogen-related topics strengthen its focus on hydrogen-related issues. Can you some current examples of this give?
Dortmans: The province participates in a provincial hydrogen innovation coalition. The Brabant high-tech systems sector is linked to governments and knowledge institutions in the development of hydrogen production systems and equipment. Internationally, this coalition is linked to clusters abroad. For example, the province supports the research and development of the production of PEMWE subcomponents of the TNO Holst Center in collaboration with InnovationLab Heidelberg. The aim of this cross-border collaboration is to develop new scalable generations of cost-effective PEMWE hydrogen electrolysers that use no or as few scarce resources as possible by applying SALD technology.
Noord-Brabant is also working closely with Germany on the development of the Delta Rhine Corridor. This project focuses on the development of an efficient and sustainable transport corridor between the Netherlands and Germany, including for hydrogen, with a focus on the Rhine as an important transport route.
Thirdly, Noord-Brabant wants to position itself as a pioneer in the hydrogen economy. For this reason, a consortium of six Brabant SMEs is participating in a five-year innovation and trade program that provides for cooperation with German manufacturers in the hydrogen sector.
Noord-Brabant and Baden-Württemberg have been in continuous exchange for several years . How do both partners and regions benefit from this relationship?
Dortmans: In addition to working with InnovationLab Heidelberg on a new generation of electrolyzers, the province is also involved in the ACROBATTS battery project, in which the ZSW (Center for Solar Energy and Hydrogen Research Baden-Württemberg) in our region is already collaborating with the TNO Holst Center. In combination with other high-tech developments from Brabant and Baden-Württemberg at the ZSW, this project can grow into a new production ecosystem in which the next generation of batteries will be produced.
There is also an intensive relationship between the two regions. Last year, the Minister of Economic Affairs, Labour and Tourism, Dr. Nicole Hoffmeister-Kraut, showed interest in our innovations in Brabant in the fields of fuel cells, solar, batteries, cooling systems, etc. during her visit in May 2023.
And recently, last October, we received the Minister of Social Affairs, Health and Integration of Baden-Württemberg, Manne Lucha, in Noord-Brabant. We had the pleasure of briefly presenting some of our innovative strengths in the areas of telemonitoring, personalized healthcare and the use of data in healthcare innovation.
The strategic destiny is controlled from here: the proud Provinciehuis in 's-Hertogenbosch, the capital of Noord-Brabant. It is roughly the size of Heidelberg, and the entire province has 2.5 million inhabitants. Image: Provincie Noord-Brabant
Which connections between companies in Noord-Brabant and Baden-Württemberg see you already and how should change these in in the coming years develop?
Dortmans: "It is important for the automotive industry in Baden-Württemberg that Dutch expertise in the development of high-energy batteries can contribute to the development of electric cars. Noord-Brabant will be happy to draw on the manufacturing industry in Baden-Württemberg for the production of components for the new generation of electrolysers. Conversely, Noord-Brabant can play a role in the digitalization and application of AI to improve the manufacturing processes in Baden-Württemberg's industry.
The iL can play a "connecting role"
What role can a technologytransfer platform like InnovationLab in the German-Dutch relations play?
Dortmans: InnovationLab differs from other research and development facilities because the collaboration between academics and companies takes place in a laboratory environment where the best solution can be freely considered. In addition, InnovationLab is unique in that innovations are developed from idea to end product. Our collaboration in the joint development of other products besides the electrolyzer is quite conceivable. In this way, InnovationLab can play a connecting role between knowledge centers, governments and companies in both our regions.
With which mindset do do you as person responsible for international and economic relations to the event to Heidelberg?
Dortmans: I come with an open mind and would like to find out how innovative Baden-Württemberg is in the field of hydrogen. Next, I want to pass on knowledge by engaging companies in areas where one of the regions is a leader. An effective way of doing this is to visit each other's companies and institutions. I also attach great importance to cooperation within the framework of a European program.
hand On the heart: Thinking and act your compatriots faster, to technological processes and products products? Or are is there another other reason, why my colleagues always full of enthusiasm from Eindhoven return?
Dortmans: The way Innovation Lab manages to get from an idea to production is impressive. I can't say whether we will turn innovations into processes and products more quickly. However, the close cooperation between knowledge centers, authorities and industry leads to a lively innovation environment. In addition, the density of the innovation clusters creates many synergies. For example, one of the five innovation campuses in the Eindhoven region is known as the smartest square kilometer in the world. After all, innovations are quickly tried out and tested here, in the knowledge that you learn the most from mistakes.
Mr. Dortmans, sincere thanks for this interesting interview.
About the person
Carl Dortmans works as an international affairs officer for the "Provincie Noord-Brabant" in the Netherlands. He mainly focuses on Germany in the context of the energy transition and smart industry. Baden-Württemberg is a federal state that fits in well with the specializations and level of development of Noord-Brabant. Industry in Baden-Württemberg is highly diversified and covers almost the entire production spectrum. Brabant's specializations complement this perfectly. Dortman's task is to create links between the innovation clusters in both regions. Cooperation between these clusters should lead to an exchange of knowledge and the identification of market opportunities for companies.
About the province of Noord-Brabant
The province of Noord-Brabant is part of the Netherlands as a region, but is also a so-called political-administrative organization. It is located in the south of the Netherlands and is the second largest province in the country. With more than 2.5 million inhabitants, Noord-Brabant is one of the most densely populated provinces in the Netherlands. Economically, Noord-Brabant plays an important role, as the region accounts for 15 percent of the Dutch economy. A top sector is technology, with a focus on high tech and innovation. The province is one of the top three most innovative regions in the Netherlands. The combination of knowledge and expertise promotes the growth of start-ups and established companies in sectors such as semiconductors, healthcare and robotics. The Smart Industry/High Tech sector is the most important sector in the province, where innovation and technological progress take center stage.
Further Further information to Noord-Brabant under:
Contact: Carl Dortmans, Policy Advisor International Affairs Germany, Economic Affairs, E-Mail: CCDortmans@brabant.nl
Information on the "Clean Tech Innovation Day"
Note: Further information on the procedure and registration can be found on our website at
Registration ends on November 7, four days before the "Clean Tech Innovation Day" (November 11). Catering will be provided on St. Martin's Day at the Heidelberg Congress Center near the train station.
Joachim Klaehn
Head of Communications
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