Region Limburg 
Chemical Cluster in Province Limburg
Limburg is both a Dutch province and a European region with a highly distinct character. It's an excellent location for many foreign businesses and companies targeting international markets are of increasing significance to Limburg's economy and employment.
In the field of education,
Limburg has again succeeded in benefiting from
its strategic European location. Within a 25 kilometre
radius of Maastricht there are five universities.
Different parts of Limburg belong to one of
three Euroregions: the Meuse-Rhine Euroregion,
the Rhine-North Meuse Euroregion and the Rhine-
Waal Euroregion. Within these forums, cross-border
cooperation is developing in various fields of
policymaking, public administration and social
policy.
The Limburg region was long characterised by
the mining industry which formed the basis for
the chemical industry. The chemical cluster in
Limburg has existed for approximately 30 years
and is a significant driver of innovation. Though
the chemical industry is concentrated in Geleen,
Sittard and Heerlen, the geographical reference
area includes also other regions. The cluster area
embraces the cities of Rotterdam, Antwerpen and
Marl (Ruhr Region). Besides the "lead companies"
DSM and Sabic, a great number of smaller companies
are numbered among the cluster actors.
These include Ciba, INEOS Silicas, Vanimul
Polymers and Trespa. The region has a good international
reputation as a research location. Important
universities for the chemical sector are
situated in Maastricht, Aachen and Liege. The
success of the chemical cluster is based primarily
on DSM Research. Its research activities will be
extended in the future so that there is a excellent
research base in the region. The Chemelot Industrial
Park provides a good infrastructure. At the
same time, high costs for industrial sites and the
dependence on raw materials are disadvantages.
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