Industries

The Netherlands Advantage

  • The Dutch are known for their unique expertise in construction on soft soils, sandy sea beds and peat soils, and in devising high-quality and creative solutions, such as the Maeslant Barrier.
  • Dutch experts are already working on early flood warning systems outside the country, particularly in the major European River Basins.  Currently a flood early warning system has been implemented in the United Kingdom.
  • Dutch water expertise is also being used in the Saint Petersburg storm surge barrier and the Thames barrier.
  • The Netherlands is at the forefront of clean drinking water supply. Using the NeredaTM technology, it is a newly developed cost-effective and compact wastewater treatment method, that uses a unique aerobic granular sludge as a biological method for purifying water.

Water Technology

When it comes to water, the Dutch are pros. The Netherlands' innovative solutions to water problems have countries from all over the globe seeking their expertise. The Dutch are experts in all aspects of water - water management, water safety and risk management.

The Netherlands has historically been associated with water management. With about half of its surface area less than one metre above sea level, and much of it actually below sea level, their expertise comes from managing survival. The nation has an extensive range of dykes and dunes that protects the low-lying areas from flooding. There are also numerous massive pumping stations that keep the ground water level in check. The high population density (465 persons/ square kilometre) together with an economy largely related to transport, navigation and ports, results in pressure on space and environment that has to be managed carefully. This is managed through the design of sustainable engineering and ‘smart' infrastructure for complex settings.  Water engineering is one of the most prominent sectors in the Dutch economy.