Building the Future: We are Investing in Sustainability
Interview with Florian Krückl
CEO of KLK Kolb
As part of our ongoing commitment to innovation and sustainable growth, we spoke with Florian Krückl, CEO of KLK Kolb, to discuss their recent strategic investment in the Moerdijk, a production facility in the Netherlands. This conversation explores what the expansion means for the future of industrial chemistry, particularly in advancing alkoxylation processes.
Why is KLK Kolb investing in Moerdijk facility?
We are investing significantly in our alkoxylation plant in Moerdijk to meet growing demand for innovative surfactants. This strengthens our position as a leading surfactants provider in the European market. Currently operating at high capacity, this facility will undergo enhancements to increase production by 20%.
Even in Europe's highly competitive market, we remain confident in our growth trajectory, backed by our high-quality alkoxylates, excellent supply chain control, strong technical expertise, and close customer partnerships.
What do you aim to achieve with this expansion?
Through increased production efficiency and higher automation, we are debottlenecking our alkoxylation reactors to gain substantial capacity while reducing carbon emissions by 30%. A key upgrade is our heat recovery system, which captures heat from alkoxylation reactions and reuses it for subsequent processes.
This investment aligns perfectly with KLK Kolb's long-term vision of providing trusted oleo-based solutions while working toward a net-zero carbon footprint.
How will this investment strengthen your market position?
KLK Kolb’s leadership has two dimensions: demonstrating our commitment as a leading surfactant producer and supplier for the long term, while advancing our broader sustainability agenda.
This dual focus has driven our investment in advanced wastewater and dioxane treatment technologies, significantly reducing 1,4-dioxane levels in our wastewater streams. We are staying ahead of regulatory requirements with cleaner, more environmentally responsible production processes. To support this commitment, our 1,4-dioxane treatment units are fully operational at both Dutch sites in Moerdijk and Delden.
What technologies are you using to cut energy use by 30%?
To reduce energy consumption, we are implementing a comprehensive energy recovery system. Our alkoxylation reactors at KLK Kolb Moerdijk feature a partial heat recovery system developed by our own engineers, which won the "Responsible Care Award 2010" from the Association of the Dutch Chemical Industry.
Last year alone, we saved approximately 1 million m³ of gas, while our existing system saves up to 1.5 million m³ of natural gas annually. This reduction is equivalent to reducing 2,500 tonnes of CO2, enough to supply around 900 Dutch households with gas.
How does this support your path to net-zero?
We have concrete plans to transform the plant into a net-zero operation. The current investment, delivering a 30% carbon emission reduction, is just the first step. After completing this investment, we will begin implementing the next phases of our carbon net-zero journey.
What is KLK Kolb doing to address wastewater and dioxane treatment?
1,4-dioxane in surfactants will receive increased focus in coming years. While technically possible to remove from alkoxylated products, the issue simply transfers from product to environment. Therefore, treating effluents like wastewater to reduce downstream pollution is crucial.
To address this challenge comprehensively, we have installed and operate units based on advanced best available technologies specifically designed to destroy dioxane in wastewater.
How does this reflect your financial strength?
Thanks to our strong parent company KLK, Kolb can invest in long-term projects and commit to sustainable growth. This positions us well to adapt to market challenges while managing our resources and people responsibly.
Is KLK Kolb open to partnerships around this new tech?
We are pleased to open our doors for partnerships and collaboration, sharing our knowledge and experience in dioxane treatments. We believe applying best-in-class technologies across the chemical industry benefits the industry, environment, and society.
What message does this send to your competitors?
Our investments in advanced dioxane treatment and sustainability technologies send a clear message to the market. Competitors wanting to align with our standards will need substantial investments in their production assets, water and air treatment systems.
Alternatively, we welcome discussions about potential tolling and custom manufacturing agreements, or they can consider transferring part of their portfolio to us under long-term supply agreements, especially for dioxane-generating chemistries.
Where do you see KLK Kolb in 2027 and beyond?
By 2027, I see KLK Kolb as the benchmark for sustainable surfactants production in Europe. We are future-ready, fully compliant with today's regulations, and anticipating stricter future requirements.
Our investments today are building the foundation for tomorrow's leadership – where sustainability and profitability go hand in hand.
