ROTTERDAM, 11 September 2025 – The Rotterdam Energy Transition Fund (ETF-R) has invested €50 million in fifteen sustainable innovations over the past five years. Managed by InnovationQuarter on behalf of the municipality, the €100 million fund supports projects that contribute to a cleaner, circular and CO₂-neutral economy.
Investing in a climate-resilient future
The investments target companies active in electrification, sustainable mobility, circular chemistry and energy storage. According to alderman Zeegers, the fund helps entrepreneurs scale up sustainable technology in areas ranging from circular construction to battery innovation. The aim is to strengthen the economy, create hundreds of jobs and build a climate-resilient future visible in the city, the port and the wider region.
The fund’s approach aligns with Rotterdam’s broader ambitions, as outlined in the city’s Climate Action Plan (KAR).
Collaboration across the region
ETF-R focuses not only on energy transition but also on resource transition. “We do this not only with capital, but also with knowledge and our network,” says Robert Bierens, Head of Investments at InnovationQuarter. Partnerships with the municipality of Rotterdam, the Port of Rotterdam, knowledge institutions in Delft and other regional partners play a key role.
By combining these efforts, the fund seeks to reduce dependency on foreign raw materials and foster a stronger, more sustainable economy in Rotterdam, Zuid-Holland and beyond. In 2024, more than 150 entrepreneurs received guidance from the programme.
Examples of funded projects
- CarbonX is developing a sustainable alternative to graphite in batteries, suitable for local production.
- Value Maritime has created compact systems to capture CO₂ from ship emissions, reusing it in greenhouse horticulture.
- DOPS Recycling Technologies works on solutions to process waste streams that are currently difficult to recycle.
More details, including a short film about the fifteen supported projects, are available via energietransitiefondsrotterdam.nl.
Practical information
- Fund size: €100 million
- Invested so far: €50 million in 15 innovations
- Managed by: InnovationQuarter on behalf of the municipality of Rotterdam
