A new life for discarded nets and ropes offers hope for the future

LIOF and Healix

More than 8 million tons of plastic end up in our oceans every year. Stray ropes and nets are the most deadly form of waste to marine life in this regard, according to figures from the Plastic Soup Foundation. This is just the tip of the iceberg when we talk about the plastic problem. This is where Healix wants to do something about it. LIOF is proud to invest in this cleantech scale-up in Maastricht.

Marcel Alberts, founder and managing director of Healix: "We transform discarded ropes and nets from fishing and agriculture into 'circular polymers' of very high quality. In other words: plastic granules that customers can use to make new ropes and nets again. But not only that. Our customers also use our granules to make shampoo bottles or beer crates, for example."

LIOF has been following Healix closely for some time now

LIOF saw an ambitious idea grow into a concrete recycling plant in record time. Investment manager Stefan Vocks: "Our strategic investment in Healix fits seamlessly into our ambition to finance frontrunners in the circular economy. We therefore look forward to further building together on a circular future for discarded plastic. So that less 'virgin', or new, plastic is needed."

Maastricht and beyond

Marcel: "With help from LIOF's Participation Fund, we can further improve our first factory in Maastricht. But, there is so much waste like this and insane market demand for circular products. So we want to build other factories in Europe and beyond soon. We prefer to do that close to the source of the waste." Annemoon Borst, investment manager at LIOF: "The factory in Maastricht serves as a blueprint for this, which makes it possible to cross the border. Plans for this are already in the works." 

The goal is clear, so are the challenges

A circular economy is essential to address today's climate, biodiversity and pollution problems. We all agree on that. But this is easier said than done. Healix therefore faces challenges after an impressive start. Marcel: "Think of the poor economic climate, low prices for virgin plastic and delayed legislation for reuse of plastics." The majority of producers therefore still feel only a limited need to deploy recycled materials in larger volumes.

Together, we reduce our carbon footprint

Shared Limburg roots and values

Fortunately, no challenge is too big for this innovative entrepreneur. Marcel: "By joining forces with LIOF, we can now continue our mission. We like nothing better than to do that with an investor with Limburg roots who shares our social and sustainable values. We also work together with chain partners such as The Ocean Clean-up. For this partner, we are one of only two companies worldwide allowed to process ocean plastic into reusable granulate. Together, we are thus reducing the ecological footprint of the plastics industry." 

Moving full steam ahead

Marcel is therefore looking ahead with undiminished enthusiasm. "At the moment we are busy filling in the requested supervisory board. We are also following up on the improvement suggestions that emerged from the due diligence investigation conducted by LIOF. So that we can scale up our activities in Maastricht even further and strengthen our position beyond. With the goal: a positive change in the plastics chain. Because that's what we're doing it for."

From virgin plastic to circular plastic

Stop talking and just go do it!

Marcel encourages other entrepreneurs to also undertake for a healthy and sustainable future: "Orient yourself well by talking a lot with other entrepreneurs and companies. But at some point you just have to start doing it. Things never turn out exactly as you planned. Then rely on your own creativity and perseverance - and that of your team, of course. That's how you get more done than you think!" 

This testimonial is from September 2023
Photography: Ron Wiersma, Maastricht: www.ronwiersma.nl