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Three perspectives. One industry. One future.

Geopolitical tensions, rapid technological developments and the challenge of leading people and organisations through change: the process industry is facing major choices.

At the NAP Jubilee Conference on 19 November, three speakers will bring these developments together and explore what they mean for the future of our industry.

• Diederik Samsom will put into perspective what geopolitical developments mean for the competitiveness and future of European industry.
• Hella Schmidt (dsm-firmenich) will explore what continuous change demands from people, talent and leadership.
• Richard Braal (TNO) will take us through the technological developments that are reshaping the industry.

Three perspectives that lead to one important question: how do we ensure that our industry remains strong and future-proof?

This is not just a conversation to listen to, it is one you want to be part of.

Alongside fresh insights, the conference offers plenty of opportunity to meet professionals from across the industry, exchange ideas and build new connections.

If you are not there, you will not only miss a special anniversary, but also the conversation about the developments that will shape our industry in the years ahead.

Join us and be part of the conversation about what comes next.

People, empowered by AI

How is AI changing the way we work – and why is the biggest challenge often not the technology itself? During the NAP contact meeting on 24 September, both the practical and human side of AI took centre stage.

Erno Bammens and Rachid Imhaouran from the NVWA used concrete examples to show how AI can help take over demanding, time-consuming and repetitive tasks. From online supervision and checking import certificates to drones detecting illegal fishing nets: AI does not replace people, but strengthens the knowledge and capabilities of employees.

Vincent McLeese from Untangle Lab then focused on the human dynamics behind AI adoption. Introducing new technology is one thing; ensuring that people within an organisation share the same understanding of opportunities, risks and expectations is just as important.

It is precisely this ‘invisible layer’ that can determine whether AI is truly embedded within an organisation.

Curious about the practical examples, insights and lessons from the evening? Read the full report.
The report on the website is in Dutch.

New NAP SIG AI to launch in 2027

During the contact meeting on 24 September, AI took centre stage – along with the new SIG AI that will be launched within the NAP network.

The first meeting will take place in January 2027 and will be hosted by KH Engineering. During the session, they will present a use case on combining digital technology and AI to make asset integrity programmes better, faster and more cost-efficient.

More information about the date and programme will follow later this year via the newsletter and the website.

Stay tuned!

NAP Competition: the jury is now reviewing the submissions

The NAP Competition: Smart Collaboration & Innovation in a Changing Process Industry has resulted in a strong range of submissions. With this competition, NAP aims to encourage ideas that contribute to a smarter, more sustainable and future-proof process industry, for example through collaboration, digitalisation, knowledge sharing and innovation.

The jury has now started reviewing the submissions. During the NAP Jubilee Conference, the best ideas will take the stage and the award presentation will take place.

NAP SIG Energy Transition: sharing knowledge on ammonia and hydrogen

On Monday 29 June, the NAP SIG Energy Transition met at Kapp in Dordrecht. The central theme was ‘Ammonia as an energy carrier for a sustainable industry’.

Kapp opened the meeting with a presentation on innovations in heat exchangers, including space-efficient ‘Plate & Shell’ heat exchangers. Haskoning then outlined global developments in ammonia: from its current use, mainly in fertiliser production, towards a potentially 3.5 times larger market by 2050, with a greater role as a marine fuel and hydrogen carrier.

Duiker Clean Technologies presented the development of its own hydrogen cracker and the demonstration plant that will soon start operating at Plant One in Rotterdam. Kapp concluded the presentations with applications of heat exchangers for ammonia, including the safe heating of ammonia using seawater.

Throughout the presentations and during the closing drinks, there was plenty of opportunity for knowledge sharing and discussion between different parties across the value chain.

Want to learn more about the presentations and insights shared during this meeting? Discover more here.

NAP SIG Project Management: project feasibility and Front-End Loading

On Friday 11 September, the NAP SIG Project Management met at Vijverberg in Rotterdam for a session on project feasibility and Front-End Loading (FEL).

Using practical examples, the group discussed how projects can be better defined and managed in their early stages. Topics included the business case, the timely identification of risks and the assessment of residual risks after each phase.

The session also covered different project management roles, the early involvement of the construction manager, and considerations around permits, planning, costs and subsidies.

One important takeaway was the need to ‘re-frame’ a project after each FEL phase, as circumstances and assumptions may change.

Want to learn more about the insights and discussions from this session? Discover more here.

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