Delegate Burlet explores sustainable Leudal

Visit to Business Park Zevenellen and Geelen Counterflow

Thursday, Nov. 14, 2019, Deputy Burlet of the Province of Limburg visited the municipality of Leudal. The visit followed the introductory invitation from the municipality of Leudal and the cooperating developers at Bedrijvenpark Zevenellen: Development Company Midden-Limburg (OML) and World Biobased Centre Zevenellen (WBCZ). Sustainability and circularity were central during this afternoon with a visit to Zevenellen and the most sustainable office in the world of Geelen Counterflow. Commissioner Burlet: "The province is behind you. Keep going with biobased and circular developments such as Bedrijvenpark Zevenellen."

Councilman Piet Verlinden (Economic Development, Environment and Finance portfolio) welcomed Delegate Burlet (Sustainability and Environment) to the town hall. "The municipality of Leudal has the ambition to be the most sustainable municipality in Central Limburg by 2020 and

is leading the way with renewable energy, "Alderman Piet Verlinden told us. "In our vision, sustainability is about energy, waste, circular economy, corporate social responsibility, biodiversity and green management, food, mobility, sustainable procurement, livability, clean environment and more."

Building a sustainable future together

"As a government we have an exemplary role, explains alderman Verlinden. For example, the municipality of Leudal is one of the first municipalities in the Netherlands to purchase locally generated electricity from the first Limburg energy cooperative, Leudal Energie . "We support developments such as Sustainable Multifunctional Business Park Zevenellen." OML and WBCZ, the developing parties of the business park, are asking companies that want to locate there to strengthen the circular economy. "Together we are building a sustainable future," said Alderman Verlinden. "Everyone is doing something."

Seven sheets

The delegate then explored, together with attendees from the municipality, OML, WBCZ, Water Board and some local, sustainable companies, Bedrijvenpark Zevenellen (Haelen). Entirely in style: on foot. Zevenellen is the place for entrepreneurs to realize sustainable ambitions. At Zevenellen it is mainly about cooperation between the companies to be established; companies will make use of each other's production process. Here one can think of

to the exchange of energy, waste products, residuals in the form of heat, electricity, water and other waste streams. In a circular economy, nothing is thrown away, destroyed or left unused. Zevenellen thus contributes fully to the reduction of CO₂ (carbon dioxide, the main greenhouse gas).

The development of the business park is good for the (local and regional) economy and employment and also for the livability of the residents of Leudal.

Region already circular: visit world's most sustainable office

In addition to upcoming developments, the region has been working on circularity for some time. This was evident during the visit to Geelen Counterflow in Haelen. Sander Geelen is an inspired entrepreneur in mechanical engineering for the food industry, who is very committed to the environment. This is also demonstrated by the award in 2016 of the highest score ever (99,94%) by international certification body BREEAM for the sustainability of the wooden office of Geelen Counterflow. Anno 2019, this building still tops the list of the most sustainable offices in the world.

Commissioner Burlet, Alderman Verlinden, the cooperating developers OML and WBCZ and other attendees greatly appreciated the working visit. A great time for further introductions and cross-pollinations.