Business

The Dutch government is allocating €450 million from its Climate Fund to construct an underground hydrogen storage facility in Zuidwending, Groningen, adapting four existing salt caverns to hold the gas. Crucial for storing surplus wind and solar energy, the project leverages the area's existing natural gas infrastructure and expertise to accelerate the transition away from fossil fuels. By stepping in with state funding, the Cabinet is absorbing key financial risks—such as volatile "pillow gas" pricing, low initial capacity utilisation, and permitting delays—that have currently kept private investors at bay.

The Eurozone economy managed to stabilise in June, avoiding a feared contraction to finish the month flat at the 50.0 growth-threshold mark, according to finalised data from S&P Global. Despite initial fears that Middle East conflict-driven price hikes and supply chain disruptions would trigger a slump, a stronger-than-expected rally in the services sector helped lift the economy from May's contraction of 48.5. Supported by steady growth in manufacturing, Chris Williamson, Chief Economist at S&P Global Market Intelligence, noted that the data marks a welcome stabilisation for the broader economy after two consecutive months of declining production.

The Ministry of Social Affairs warns that employers using insurers or premium pension institutions are not converting their pension schemes to the new system quickly enough. Only 32 percent of schemes had been transitioned at the start of the year, leaving tens of thousands still to be completed before the 2028 deadline.

A scan of more than 250 Facebook pages shows that many channels posing as news outlets actually spread anger‑driven content to generate advertising revenue. According to Justice for Prosperity, these pages fuel hatred, distort public debate, and undermine trust in Dutch society.

The Dutch manufacturing sector maintained strong momentum in June as a surge in new orders pushed the national purchasing managers' index to 55.5. Industrial growth found support from heavy corporate stockpiling ahead of expected price hikes and booming global demand for semiconductor equipment. While geopolitical conflicts raised supply costs, local factories successfully protected margins by passing price increases directly to buyers.

Sony has announced that it will cease production of physical PlayStation game discs by January 2028 as consumer demand shifts heavily toward digital downloads. The policy will require all future game releases to distribute exclusively via digital storefronts and download codes, though existing discs remain unaffected. The historic decision aligns with the upcoming closure of legacy PS3 and Vita digital stores, signaling a permanent end to traditional physical media ownership for the brand.

The Amsterdam stock exchange opened lower on Friday as the benchmark AEX index fell 0.5% to 1,062.05 points, tracking a sharp tech-led sell-off in Asia fueled by surging memory chip prices. Global tech sentiment soured following news that heavy AI infrastructure investments are squeezing chip supply, forcing giants like Apple and Microsoft to hike product prices, while reports emerged that OpenAI may delay its stock market flotation until next year. On the local bourse, chip equipment maker Besi led the decliners with a 3.2% drop, contrasting with telecom firm KPN, which gained 1.3% on an analyst upgrade, while broader European markets dipped alongside falling oil prices as geopolitical anxieties in the Strait of Hormuz began to ease.

Around half a million workers in Dutch nursing homes, care homes, home care, and youth health services are set to receive a 7.4 per cent pay rise over the next two years following a breakthrough collective labour agreement between trade unions and employers. Scheduled to take effect on 1 September subject to member approval, the country's largest employment deal will roll out the salary increase in four stages alongside a boost to commuting allowances. Both union and employer representatives have praised the comprehensive package, noting that it provides a crucial financial lift for the lowest-income groups while addressing vital workplace issues such as employee safety, workload management, and staff participation.