Strengthening Circular Partnerships: A Successful China Mission by Holland Circular Hotspot

Driving Circular Innovation in Shanghai and Nanjing

In Shanghai and Nanjing, HCH collaborated closely with Partners for International Business (PIB) Waste2Resources (W2RC), a programme supported by the Netherlands Enterprise Agency. The PIB focuses on promoting Dutch innovations in waste and water treatment, smart recycling, and resource recovery—sectors where both the Netherlands and China hold global significance.

China has long committed to transitioning to a circular economy and has scaled up sustainable technologies on a massive level. For the Netherlands, a frontrunner in circular innovation, this mission was a timely opportunity to share practical solutions that offer both business potential and answers to pressing global environmental challenges.

At IE expo China, Asia’s leading trade fair for environmental technology, HCH and Rijkswaterstaat co-hosted a Dutch Environmental Technology promotional session at the Dutch Pavilion. This session set the stage for strong visibility and engagement for the participating Dutch companies: BeePro BV, Bouman Industries B.V., Centritech, Carbotreat, Dorset Industries Private Limited, NX Filtration, Bio-Up, and Paques.

Beyond the expo, the delegation had in-depth exchanges with the Shanghai Bureau of Ecology and Environment, gaining insight into evolving local policies, and participated in matchmaking events and informal networking sessions that fostered concrete connections.

The mission continued by high-speed train to Nanjing, the capital of Jiangsu province and a major industrial hub. Warmly received by the Netherlands Business Support Office (NBSO) in Nanjing, the group visited state-of-the-art facilities including a construction waste recycling site and a wastewater treatment plant. These visits highlighted both existing best practices and areas of opportunity for collaboration.

A key highlight in Nanjing was the Netherlands–Jiangsu Waste Disposal and Utilization Technology Exchange and Industrial Matchmaking Conference, where delegates explored opportunities for long-term partnerships. The trip serendipitously aligned with the King’s Day celebration in Nanjing, attended by over 200 Chinese counterparts, offering an additional platform for informal networking.

 

Strong Institutional Support

This mission was made possible thanks to the phenomenal support of the Consulate General of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Guangzhou and Shanghai, as well as the Netherlands Foreign Investment Agency (NFIA). Special thanks to Consul Marjo Crompvoets and Deputy Consul Sachi Claringbould for their active engagement and valuable contextual insights on doing business in China. Their presence underlined the strategic importance of Dutch-Chinese collaboration in circular economy transitions.

We also extend our deepest gratitude to the many individuals whose energy, coordination, and enthusiasm made this mission a success: Karin Han, Louis Wang, Jingmin Kan, Remco Lucassen, Cathy Xu, Roya Zhang, Richard He, William van Tongeren, Joan Prummel, and all the passionate participants of the PIB.

Circular Cities and Built Environments in Shenzhen

In Shenzhen, one of the world’s most rapidly urbanised and technologically advanced cities, HCH contributed to the Re:Build – Circular Solutions for Tomorrow’s Cities event. Representing HCH, we presented why the Circular Built Environment is vital for achieving Zero Waste Cities.

Shenzhen, once a fishing village of 30,000 residents, has grown into a vibrant metropolis of 17.5 million people. Today, it is a hub for manufacturing, logistics, finance, and innovation. As the city continues to develop, the built environment plays a critical role in shaping sustainable urban futures.

In our keynote, we stressed that the construction sector accounts for 50% of extracted materials, 38% of GHG emissions, and one-third of waste generation in Europe. Cities are convergence points of multiple systems—housing, transport, energy, water, and waste—and therefore, construction must be planned with integration, liveability, and resilience in mind.

During the visit, we explored Shui Wei Village, a powerful example of social and architectural innovation, and were graciously hosted by Chris and Jasmine Tsoi. The seminar at Lanshufang X UABB Urban Station brought together Dutch and Chinese experts in circular architecture, urban planning, and policy.

Noteworthy keynote contributions came from:

• Juliette Bekkering, Chair of Architectural Design and Engineering, on Innovation towards Circular Building
• Kexin Huang, Planning Director at MLA+, on Design for Change and Regeneration
• Yuxing Zhang, Researcher at Shenzhen University, on Renovated Buildings in Nantou

Key takeaways from the dialogues included:

• The need for synergy between top-down policies and grassroots actions.
• Incorporating biodiversity and circularity from the earliest design stages.
• Recognising heritage and human scale as critical to successful urban transformation.
• Leveraging diverse circular strategies—from reuse and bio-based materials to modular construction and industrialisation.

During the lively Q&A, we explored architecture’s evolving role as both an art form and a vehicle for urban renewal, as well as how to measure the impact of community-based circular initiatives.

A big thank you to Alvis, Yunwei Chen, Wielande Li, Karin Han, Antoni Mandemaker, Chloe Liu, Lei Liu, and all the speakers and organisers who made this inspiring exchange possible.