North Holland is becoming a driving force in the transition to a hydrogen-based economy. Four innovative companies from the region – DOPS Recycling Technologies (RT), SCW Systems, Ketjen, and Skytree – are contributing their unique technologies and expertise to the HyCARB project, which has been awarded a total of €45.7 million in funding for research into sustainable chemistry based on green hydrogen, renewable electricity, and captured CO₂. The project is led by research institute TNO and made possible by the National Growth Fund programme GroenvermogenNL and the Dutch Research Council (NWO).
Toward a Climate-Neutral Chemical Industry
The global chemical industry is a major emitter of CO₂ due to its heavy reliance on fossil feedstocks like oil and natural gas. The HyCARB project aims to change this by developing innovative technologies to produce fuels and materials from industrial waste gases and CO₂ — powered by green hydrogen and renewable electricity.
“With this project, we are shaping the future of the industry,” says Martijn de Graaff, project leader of HyCARB. “We are developing competitive and sustainable processes that aim to position the Netherlands as a global leader in circular carbon and hydrogen technologies.”
Strong contribution from North Holland
Alkmaar-based Dops RT is contributing essential innovations in process technology. The company specializes in unique reactor systems that enable precise mixing of gases and liquids at extremely high temperatures and pressures. This technology allows for efficient conversion of residual streams and supports the scalability of new sustainable chemical processes.
Also from Alkmaar, SCW Systems focuses on the efficient removal and permanent storage of CO₂, delivering what are known as negative emissions. By permanently capturing CO₂ from the atmosphere, SCW Systems directly contributes to mitigating climate change. Within HyCARB, the company brings its expertise in supercritical gasification and CO₂ removal.
Joining them is Ketjen, headquartered in Amsterdam, which is actively involved in the energy transition through the production of advanced catalysts. These catalysts are increasingly used in the development of next-generation (bio)fuels, making fuel production more sustainable. Although Ketjen does not yet publicly disclose involvement in specific hydrogen projects, the company’s technology forms a vital backbone for cleaner energy systems.
The fourth partner, Skytree, also based in Amsterdam, specializes in decentralized direct air capture (D-DAC) technology. Skytree removes CO₂ from the ambient air and delivers it directly to users in horticulture, vertical farming, and construction sectors. This approach supports local decarbonization, eliminates the need for CO₂ transport, and enables industrial processes to move away from fossil-based inputs.
The combined expertise of these four North Holland companies strengthens the HyCARB project’s mission: to innovate at the intersection of hydrogen production and carbon utilization, enabling a low-emission energy system. Their collaboration demonstrates the region’s growing leadership in cleantech and the hydrogen economy.
National Collaboration with Global Ambition
The project funding follows a call under the theme “Hydrogen and green electrons for carbon-based chemistry”, part of the GroenvermogenNL initiative. NWO and the National Growth Fund are jointly providing €35.3 million in public funding, with an additional €10.3 million coming from the industry consortium, bringing the total to €45.7 million.
HyCARB represents a unique collaboration between nine universities, five universities of applied sciences, three research institutes, and over thirty companies. The project focuses on developing integrated hydrogenation processes, CO₂ electrolysers, electrified high-temperature reactors, and advanced analytical instrumentation.
But it’s not just about technology. HyCARB also prioritizes training the next generation of experts, ensuring that the Netherlands remains at the forefront of sustainable chemistry for decades to come.
> Read more: Over 45 million euros for sustainable industry with green hydrogen (NWO)
Header photo: Dops RT Facility in Alkmaar
