AGP Executive Report

Shipping: Rotterdam-based AMS Barging has added the 135-metre tanker Felicitas to its fleet. The diesel-electric vessel can carry 9,000 cubic metres and is designed for future methanol-bunkering work. Electric Mobility: Fully electric cars made up 42.8% of new registrations in the Netherlands from March to August, among Europe’s highest shares. Energy: Dutch gas reserves have reached the EU’s 64% storage target, but low stocks could push winter costs higher for industrial buyers. Semiconductors: ASML warns equipment shortages could persist through 2028 as AI chip demand grows. Dutch photonics startup Photon Bridge has raised €10 million to scale optical-chip production.

Industrial Energy: Low EU gas storage is shifting winter costs toward industrial buyers, while Dutch households are turning to electric heaters as gas prices rise. Advanced Manufacturing: Additive Industries and Materialise are working to speed metal-build preparation, and Terberg Special Vehicles has produced its 50,000th vehicle. Factory Automation: A Dutch onion packer has upgraded automated crate handling, while a Dutch packaging converter installed a new system for perforating fresh-produce packaging. Offshore Energy: Vattenfall is testing bird-monitoring technology at a Dutch offshore wind farm. Technology & Talent: ASML chief Christophe Fouquet has tied his pay to employee satisfaction after a major corporate shake-up. Trade Links: India’s commerce minister is visiting the Netherlands with more than 100 businesses to deepen trade, investment and industrial cooperation.

Battery Compliance: Industrial batteries over 2 kWh placed on the EU market from February 18, 2027 will need a digital passport, making suppliers’ ability to provide one a growing procurement test. Energy Costs: Europe starts winter with gas storage at 72%, below last year’s 83%. Supply is expected to be adequate, but industrial buyers remain exposed to volatile prices and costly LNG. Food & Beverage: Heineken says it is seeing changed drinking habits among users of weight-loss drugs, including smaller or weaker drinks — a potential shift for the Dutch brewer and its pub business. Dutch Production: A Dutch onion packer is upgrading automated crate handling, while a local packaging converter has installed a five-head nanoperforation system, reflecting continued investment in produce supply-chain efficiency. Retail Resilience: Ahold Delhaize has restored websites and apps disrupted by a cyberattack; its investigation continues, with no evidence so far of sensitive data theft.

Retail Recovery: Ahold Delhaize has restored Albert Heijn’s online ordering after a cyberattack disrupted services for nearly two weeks. Deliveries are running at about one-third of normal capacity, with a full recovery expected next week. Advanced Manufacturing: Dutch firm Additive Industries and Belgium’s Materialise say new software cuts metal-print preparation from 46 minutes to six, and is available to MetalFab customers. Brewing: Heineken is advising British pubs to offer smaller servings and more low- and no-alcohol options as weight-loss drugs alter drinking habits and threaten beer sales. Semiconductors: ASML’s employee engagement score fell to 73.5%, prompting CEO Christophe Fouquet to tie executive pay to staff satisfaction. Defence Industry: Germany is discussing purchases of long-range missiles from European suppliers, with Dutch company Destinus among the potential contenders. Food Trade: A Rotterdam workshop backed by the EU and Germany aimed to help Cambodian food exporters use the Netherlands as a gateway to European markets.

Industrial Technology: ASML warns equipment shortages could persist through 2028 as AI demand surges, highlighting pressure on the semiconductor supply chain. Amsterdam-based Indurex has raised millions to expand its industrial cybersecurity platform. Energy Transition: A study says small modular reactors could play a role in the Port of Rotterdam’s future. Meanwhile, Dutch gas prices have climbed near late-2022 highs, and ARA gasoline stocks have fallen to their lowest level since September 2021. Business & Manufacturing: Cannondale plans to move its global headquarters to the Netherlands as it restructures, with layoffs expected at its Connecticut site. Heineken’s Greek unit was ordered to pay €111 million to a rival over market abuse. Workforce: The construction sector needs 73,000 more workers, with defence expansion adding to demand.

Industrial Cybersecurity: Amsterdam-based Indurex raised €7 million to expand its AI platform for protecting critical infrastructure and industrial systems, with Europe and the Middle East first in line for growth. India Trade: India’s commerce minister is visiting the Netherlands with about 100 businesses and startups to pursue trade, investment and industrial cooperation, building on talks in Germany about advanced manufacturing, semiconductors and clean energy. Offshore Wind: A 2-gigawatt transmission platform for TenneT’s Dutch offshore wind projects is on track to sail in 2028, despite supply-chain pressures. Dutch Construction: Liebherr’s battery-powered crawler crane is helping install 162 steel sheet piles at the Brouwersdam sluice complex, where the ageing water-control structures are being replaced. Digital Resilience: Critical PHP flaws have prompted website shutdowns worldwide; the Dutch national cybersecurity agency temporarily took its own site offline as operators raced to patch vulnerable systems. Dutch Business: Heineken’s Greek unit was ordered to pay €111 million to a rival in a market-abuse case.

Defence Industry: The Hague will host the European Defence Innovation Forum on November 11–12, bringing together more than 1,000 government, industry and investment representatives to turn battlefield lessons from Ukraine into new capabilities. Cybersecurity: Critical PHP flaws prompted government websites across Europe, including the Netherlands’ cybersecurity agency, to go offline as operators rushed to apply patches and hackers began probing vulnerable systems. Life Sciences: QIAGEN and EQT have agreed on a recommended all-cash takeover offer of €46.50 per share, giving the Venlo-based diagnostics company a new ownership path for its next growth phase. Competition: Heineken must pay €111.2 million in damages after an Amsterdam court held it liable for its Greek subsidiary’s abuse of market dominance. Dutch Tech: Eindhoven photonics startup Photon Bridge raised €10 million to scale production of optical chips for AI and telecoms. Trade: India’s commerce minister is set to visit the Netherlands with more than 100 businesses to pursue investment and industrial cooperation.

AI Infrastructure: Eindhoven-based Photon Bridge raised €10 million to scale optical engines, targeting the growing need for laser connections in AI data centres. Trade and Investment: India’s commerce minister will bring around 100 businesses and startups to Germany and the Netherlands on Oct. 22–27, with talks focused on advanced manufacturing, clean technology, renewable energy and logistics. Industrial Innovation: SKF has opened a ceramic process laboratory in the Netherlands, adding local research capacity for advanced materials. Energy Security: The Netherlands has met the EU’s gas-storage target after government intervention, but reserves remain at the required minimum of 64% ahead of winter.

Energy Security: Dutch gas storage has reached the EU’s 64% minimum target after government intervention, but the limited cushion ahead of winter keeps supply resilience in focus. Digital Infrastructure: The Netherlands is advancing smart metering, while plans for a Rotterdam AI gigafactory raise questions over access to EU public capital. Industrial Technology: SKF opened a ceramic-process laboratory in the Netherlands, and Thorizon and TNO began research into reactor materials. Semiconductors: ASML raised its sales outlook as AI demand drives strong chip orders and is assessing further lithography capacity. Offshore Energy: Amsterdam is preparing to host OEEC 2026, bringing the sector together to discuss offshore energy development.

Advanced Manufacturing: SKF has opened a ceramic process laboratory at its Houten research centre to develop materials and production methods for advanced bearing components. Energy Security: Dutch gas reserves are 65.5% full after the government lowered its winter target to the EU minimum of 64%; state energy company EBN hopes to keep buying supplies for another two weeks. Maritime Enforcement: The government is proposing tougher powers to intercept and detain ships using false Curaçao, Aruba or Sint Maarten registrations, as it seeks to curb Russia’s shadow fleet. Health Technology: University Medical Center Groningen and Philips are leading a €27.6 million European research project involving 42 partners and more than 14,000 patients, with Circle CVI contributing AI-enabled heart imaging expertise. Air Freight: Air Canada Cargo will add two weekly Toronto–Amsterdam freighter flights from 29 October, bringing dedicated capacity to the Netherlands ahead of the winter season.

Industrial Technology: SKF has opened a Ceramic Process Laboratory at its Houten R&D centre to develop hybrid bearings for electrification and energy-efficient machinery. Dutch Engineering Abroad: Haskoning has completed a feasibility study for flood-storage systems in Manila, supporting the Philippines’ plans for “sponge cities.” Nuclear Research: Thorizon and TNO have launched research into materials for molten-salt reactors. Ports and Shipping: Rotterdam cargo volumes rose as container tonnage fell; separately, the Dutch-flagged tug JIF Barracuda was struck near the Strait of Hormuz, with one crew member slightly injured. Semiconductors: ASML’s strong chip orders point to continued AI-driven demand, and the company is exploring capacity expansion beyond a 30% increase by 2028.

Food Manufacturing: Cargill is introducing its Coconera cocoa-butter alternative in Europe, giving chocolate and confectionery makers another way to manage volatile cocoa costs. The launch is backed by a dedicated production line in the Netherlands. Aerospace and Defence: Honeywell and Dutch supplier Aeronamic have opened a modular test cell at Woensdrecht, adding local repair and testing capacity for F-35 power and thermal systems. Advanced Energy: Thorizon and TNO have begun materials and corrosion research for molten-salt reactors, work that could support a proposed demonstrator at Petten; component qualification is still ahead. Digital Regulation: The ACM has proposed cloud-switching guidance under the EU Data Act, open for public comment until 6 November. Separately, it rejected Eurofiber’s request to investigate rival Relined over alleged competition-law concerns. Circular Industry: Dutch chemical company BioBTX has secured a €20.8 million grant for its PETRA recycling project.

Farm Equipment: Dutch manufacturer Agrifac is developing three electric-drive options for self-propelled sprayers, including a hybrid expected to cut fuel use by up to 50%. Shipping and Fuels: Rotterdam’s B30 marine biofuel premium over conventional fuel narrowed, while AMS Barging added a 9,000 m³ diesel-electric tanker designed for future methanol bunkering. Construction Skills: The number of plumbers in the Netherlands has risen 60%, but worker shortages persist as municipalities welcome €355 million in support for homebuilding. Semiconductors: ASML raised its sales outlook as AI-related chip demand grows, though its equipment capacity remains tight. Ports and Offshore Energy: Rotterdam port throughput rose 0.9% in the first nine months of the year, and DEME is set to install 69 turbines at the Zeevonk offshore wind farm.

Construction: Municipalities welcomed €355 million in infrastructure funding to unlock plans for more than 30,000 homes, including new roads, bridges and cycling links. Skilled Trades: The number of plumbers in the Netherlands has risen 60%, but worker shortages persist. Digital Services: Dutch cloud providers are concerned after a U.S. request led to the seizure of an Amsterdam server, raising questions about control of digital infrastructure. Semiconductors: ASML posted record third-quarter sales of €11.7 billion as AI chip demand surges, while production capacity remains under pressure. Logistics: Rotterdam port throughput rose 0.9% in the first nine months of the year. Offshore Energy: DEME secured work installing turbines at the Zeevonk offshore wind farm, adding to a busy Dutch wind project pipeline.

Data Sovereignty: Dutch cloud providers are seeking answers after a U.S. request led to a server seizure at an Amsterdam data centre. Prosecutors say it followed a mutual legal assistance treaty; the data have not been shared with the U.S. Dutch Manufacturing: VDL Groep plans to invest $77 million and create 120 jobs as it expands its Georgia operations, supporting the semiconductor equipment supply chain. Chip Supply: ASML reported record third-quarter sales of €11.7 billion and net income of €5 billion, lifted its forecast and warned AI-driven demand is stretching capacity, with supply shortages expected through 2028. Ports and Logistics: Rotterdam port throughput rose 0.9% in the first nine months of 2026. Clean Energy: Vattenfall and Royal Vopak agreed a 400 MWh tolling deal for a Dutch battery project, while DEME won a contract to install 69 turbines at the Zeevonk offshore wind farm. Circular Industry: Dutch recycler BioBTX secured a €20.8 million grant for its PETRA project.

Infrastructure: The Cabinet has ordered a new financing study for the €15 billion Lelylijn rail link between Lelystad and Groningen. Amsterdam’s alderman warns that delaying Zuidasdok could prolong disruption and add hundreds of millions to costs. Semiconductors: ASML reported record third-quarter sales of €11.7 billion and net income of €5 billion, but says AI demand is outstripping supply as it explores further capacity expansion. Energy: Vattenfall and Royal Vopak have agreed a 400 MWh tolling deal for a Dutch battery project, while grid congestion continues to hamper factories’ sustainability plans. Ports: Rotterdam’s throughput rose 0.9% in the first nine months of the year. Manufacturing: Dutch VDL Groep plans to invest $77 million in its Georgia operations, adding cleanroom and large-scale milling capacity for semiconductor equipment and 120 jobs.