The East Netherlands Development Agency (Oost NL) supports you as an entrepreneur (interested) in our region. Whether you’re considering locating to the East of the Netherlands or have existing operations here, Oost NL assists you at every stage with free and confidential services. We are committed to help you to grow your business.

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Discover why East Netherlands is the perfect base for your business. In the video, our colleague explains how we support international companies with a smooth and successful start.
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Setting up your business in East Netherlands

Nefit Bosch's story

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Success story 

Food

Tech

Energy

Health

The key industries of our region

AstraZeneca today announced a $70 million investment to expand its manufacturing facility in Nijmegen, the Netherlands. Oost NL and the Netherlands Foreign Investment Agency (NFIA) supported the company in its expansion process, in close collaboration with the Province of Gelderland and the City of Nijmegen. The groundbreaking ceremony was performed by Hubert Bruls, Mayor of Nijmegen, together with Paul Bedford, Site Lead of AstraZeneca Nijmegen, and Per Alfredsson, Senior Vice President Global Biologics Operations at AstraZeneca, officially marking the start of construction.
<h2 class="MsoNormal">Central role in filling, inspection and distribution</h2>
AstraZeneca&rsquo;s Nijmegen facility plays a central role in the filling, inspection and distribution of biologic medicines, particularly for clinical research &mdash; from potential cancer treatments to vaccines for premature babies. The expansion will add a second fill line to the site. The number of employees will increase from 100 to approximately 130.
<h2 class="MsoNormal">Investment in sustainable and accessible healthcare</h2>
This investment in the Netherlands underscores AstraZeneca&rsquo;s conviction that sustainable public-private collaboration and forward-looking investment are essential to keep the Netherlands at the forefront of Life Sciences &amp; Health (LSH), to stimulate economic growth, and to deliver life-changing medicines to patients.
Paul Bedford, Site Lead at AstraZeneca Nijmegen, said: "Our investment in Nijmegen not only strengthens AstraZeneca&rsquo;s scientific and manufacturing capabilities but also sends a clear signal about the value of Life Sciences &amp; Health in the Netherlands. By expanding our production footprint, we reaffirm our commitment to Dutch patients, healthcare professionals, and society at large. The support from Oost NL and NFIA has made the expansion process smoother &mdash; it is valuable to work with a non-commercial partner that actively supports our presence in the region."
Oost NL and the NFIA supported AstraZeneca in exploring financial instruments, identifying solutions for grid congestion, and securing the necessary permits. Susan van Boxtel, Team Manager Foreign Direct Investment at Oost NL, said: "We value AstraZeneca&rsquo;s active role in the regional Pharma Delta collaboration, where knowledge institutions and business clusters work together on a talent programme and shared facilities. The expansion of a global player like AstraZeneca strengthens the pharmaceutical cluster in the Nijmegen-Oss region, and we are proud of that."
Hilde van der Meer, Commissioner of the NFIA, welcomed AstraZeneca&rsquo;s Nijmegen expansion in the Netherlands: "AstraZeneca&rsquo;s confidence in the Dutch Life Sciences &amp; Health cluster is time and again demonstrated through the investments they make, not only in their facilities but also in their people and in collaboration with researchers, local businesses and the community. With this expansion in Nijmegen, AstraZeneca once again strengthens its contribution to the LSH ecosystem."
<h2 class="MsoNormal">Sustainable location</h2>
AstraZeneca&rsquo;s Nijmegen site is already known for its sustainability ambitions, and this expansion follows AstraZeneca&rsquo;s global Ambition Zero Carbon programme: the goal to achieve net-zero emissions by 2045. Since 2015, global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions have been reduced by 77.5% (2024). In addition, despite growth, 20% less energy has been used across our sites (2024).
In the Netherlands, the company is also making significant progress. In 2021, Nijmegen was the first AstraZeneca site to achieve a 99% reduction in GHG emissions. Moreover, in 2022 AstraZeneca Netherlands became the first site worldwide with a 100% electric vehicle fleet.

More information

Nijmegen mayor Hubert Bruls breaks ground on construction

AstraZeneca expands in Nijmegen: $70 million investment in sustainable medicine manufacturing

At its Deventer facility, heating manufacturer Nefit Bosch is testing hydrogen-powered heating systems. The hydrogen is supplied on-site by Essent and distributed through a dedicated reception station. Meanwhile, Essent, Firan, and Witteveen+Bos continue to scale up GROHW (Green Oxygen Hydrogen and Waste Heat). By the end of 2026, the first part of a local hydrogen network will be operational, opening up new opportunities for surrounding businesses. A first in the Netherlands.
&ldquo;Many hydrogen initiatives are large and complex. Here, we take a hands-on approach: deliver, test, learn, and scale up,&rdquo; says Maarten Moolhuysen, Director of Hydrogen at Essent. &ldquo;For Essent, this marks the start of industrial hydrogen supply. We&rsquo;re ready to onboard more local companies and accelerate growth.&rdquo;
Markus Baumeister, Director of R&amp;D at Nefit Bosch, adds: &ldquo;We&rsquo;re conducting endurance tests on new hydrogen boilers for the European market focusing on the Netherlands, Germany, and the UK. Continuous supply is essential, and we&rsquo;re proud to have made that happen.&rdquo;
<h2>Local electrolyser</h2>
Alongside the first deliveries, Firan is developing a regional distribution network to connect additional businesses. Essent also plans to build a 2.5-megawatt electrolyser on the Nefit Bosch site, converting regional green electricity into hydrogen. The installation received &euro;5 million in national funding this summer, with a final investment decision expected later this year.
&ldquo;The choice for a decentralized network sets this project apart,&rdquo; says Benjamin Pilzer of Firan. &ldquo;We&rsquo;re building not just a local hydrogen chain, but a scalable and replicable energy model, ready to inspire other regions in the Netherlands. That&rsquo;s what makes this project so impactful.&rdquo;
<h2>Oost NL: Connecting and accelerating</h2>
&ldquo;Nefit Bosch plays a vital role in our region, not least in terms of employment,&rdquo; says Janet de Rooy-Smid, Project Manager at Oost NL. &ldquo;That&rsquo;s why we actively contributed by connecting the right stakeholders, from municipalities and the province to regulatory authorities, to lay the foundation for this company&rsquo;s long-term place in both the regional and national hydrogen ecosystem.&rdquo;
&ldquo;It&rsquo;s great to see how far the partners have come with GROHW, the initiative we first launched in 2018,&rdquo; says Rapha&euml;l van der Velde, Business Unit Manager Energy Systems at Witteveen+Bos. &ldquo;What started as a blueprint for a scalable design is now becoming a full-scale green hydrogen facility, soon to include oxygen production for local industries.&rdquo;
<h2>Driving regional progress and the energy transition</h2>
With the first hydrogen delivery in Deventer and the opening of the Nefit Bosch R&amp;D center, a major step has been taken toward a circular, regional hydrogen chain. Oost NL continues to strengthen pioneering companies and partnerships like GROHW, accelerating the energy transition in East Netherlands through innovation, collaboration, and expertise.

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The new research and development center of Nefit Bosch in Deventer, the Netherlands, officially opened today. This milestone brings the innovative hydrogen chain GROHW - where hydrogen is produced, distributed, and consumed locally - another step closer to full realization.

First hydrogen delivered in unique Deventer project

UMS delivers turnkey solutions for OEMs in sectors such as construction, logistics, agriculture, and defense. Its technology - from advanced battery management systems to scalable electric drivetrains - aligns seamlessly with the Arnhem-Nijmegen region&rsquo;s ambitions for energy transition and sustainable mobility.
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With the support of Oost NL and strong partnerships in the region, we&rsquo;re scaling up our technology.
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&ldquo;We deliberately chose Cleantech Park Arnhem for its vibrant cleantech ecosystem,&rdquo; says Lars Kool, CTO of UMS. &ldquo;With the support of Oost NL and strong partnerships in the region, we&rsquo;re scaling up our technology. We&rsquo;re ready to help accelerate the transition to zero-emission construction and industrial vehicles across the Netherlands and Europe.&rdquo;
UMS&rsquo;s move to Cleantech Park Arnhem follows its acquisition by DEUTZ AG, a German engine manufacturer. While continuing to operate under its own name, with the same team and mission, UMS now has the opportunity to scale its innovations globally through its collaboration with DEUTZ.
&ldquo;UMS&rsquo;s choice for East Netherlands confirms the international appeal of our strong ecosystem in electrification &mdash; particularly in decentralized energy systems, battery storage, and charging infrastructure,&rdquo; says Bernold Kemperink of Oost NL. &ldquo;UMS perfectly fits the region&rsquo;s ambition to lead in sustainable manufacturing. This move strengthens both innovation and employment opportunities in Gelderland.&rdquo;
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UMS&rsquo;s choice for East Netherlands confirms the international appeal of our strong ecosystem in electrification.
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Oost NL played an active role in guiding UMS, connecting the company with key regional stakeholders such as the Province of Gelderland, the City of Arnhem, Connectr, and Cleantech Park Arnhem.

Urban Mobility Systems (UMS), a specialist in the electrification of heavy-duty vehicles, has established itself at Cleantech Park Arnhem (formerly IPKW). Oost NL supported the company in establishing its presence at Cleantech Park Arnhem and in building connections across the region.

UMS opens new facility at Cleantech Park Arnhem

Urban Mobility Systems opens new facility at Cleantech Park Arnhem

Latest news

This annual event will take place on 18 September at Connect-U Saxion in Enschede. It brings together leading experts, researchers, industry professionals, professors, students, and postdocs from both the Netherlands and abroad to share knowledge, discuss recent developments, and explore the future of Photonics, Optics, and Integrated Photonics.

DutchPhotonicsEvent

Battery Day is the day where battery pioneers, policy shapers, and innovation leaders come together to shape the future of energy storage in the Netherlands. 

Battery Day 2025

Anuga is the most significant trade show for the F&B industry, connecting retailers, foodservice, and catering providers from around the world. The full spectrum of food products is represented through the 10 distinct trade fairs.

Anuga 2025

Events

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Would you like to learn more about how we can support you in accelerating the market launch of your innovations? Oost NL offers funding, networks, and expertise.

Futuremakers

Expand your business in East Netherlands

What can Oost NL do for me?

Where can I establish in East Netherlands?

What can Oost NL do for me?

Where can I establish in East Netherlands?

Why East Netherlands?

How to set up a business in the Netherlands?

Quality of life

Why East Netherlands?

How to set up a business in the Netherlands?

Quality of life

Setting up your business in East Netherlands

Success story

The key industries of our region

Food

Tech

Food

Tech

Energy

Health

Energy

Health

Latest news

AstraZeneca expands in Nijmegen: $70 million investment in sustainable medicine manufacturing

First hydrogen delivered in unique Deventer project

Urban Mobility Systems opens new facility at Cleantech Park Arnhem

Events

DutchPhotonicsEvent

Battery Day 2025

Anuga 2025

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