Nobian's green future on ice due to Groningen dispute

2026-02-03 economie

Groningen, dinsdag, 3 februari 2026.
A major 645 million euro investment by chemical company Nobian to cut CO2 emissions by half a megaton is on hold. The reduction would equal the annual emissions of 250,000 households. The pause follows a legal challenge from the province of Groningen over salt mining permits. Uncertainty around these permits has put sustainability projects in Hengelo, Delfzijl and Rotterdam on standby. The national government had agreed to support Nobian’s decarbonisation push with 185 million euros. For now, progress depends on resolving the standoff over raw material supply.

investment freeze impacts multiple sites

The planned 645 million euro investment by Nobian includes 460 million in self-funded capital and 185 million in state subsidies [1]. Projects across Hengelo, Delfzijl, and Rotterdam were set to eliminate natural gas use in salt production and adopt industrial heat pumps. These measures aimed to reduce CO2 emissions by 0.5 megaton annually, equivalent to the emissions of approximately 250,000 households using gas heating [2]. Due to ongoing legal disputes over salt extraction permits in Groningen, all three locations have paused implementation [3]. Without regulatory certainty, Nobian considers such large-scale investments too risky [4].

groningen dispute centers on long-term liability

The province of Groningen initiated legal proceedings against Nobian’s salt mining permits near Heiligerlee and Zuidwending [1]. Provincial authorities demand stricter agreements on site remediation if mining ceases after 2035, the expiration date of the current permit [5]. They seek binding commitments on cavity closure and environmental restoration [6]. Nobian argues that without guaranteed access to raw materials beyond 2035, return on investment cannot be assured [7]. “Now there is uncertainty about the permit, we see no room to make a positive decision on such a significant investment,” stated a company spokesperson [1]. The deadlock underscores how permitting delays affect industrial climate action [8].

broader implications for industry and policy

The suspension affects more than Nobian alone. Salt is essential for producing chlorine, caustic soda, and hydrogen—key chemicals for various industries [3]. Delays also threaten regional economic stability and employment [9]. Minister Sophie Hermans expressed regret over the setback, calling it “more than disappointing” [10]. She warned it could undermine similar government-industry decarbonization deals [11]. Legal battles over resource permits increasingly determine the pace of industrial sustainability transitions [12]. While technology readiness is high, administrative clarity remains a bottleneck [13].

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CO2-uitstoot investering