TU Delft strengthens collaboration with Haskoning and Delft University Fund to advance water and climate resilience research

TU Delft strengthens collaboration with Haskoning and Delft University Fund to advance water and climate resilience research

(IN BRIEF) TU Delft, Haskoning, and the Delft University Fund have signed a new framework agreement to accelerate research on water technology and climate-resilient delta regions, supported by the Haskoning Innovation & Education Fund. The initiative will launch its first project by the end of 2025 and brings together leading TU Delft researchers including Dr. Mario Pronk, Professor Merle de Kreuk, and Professor Bas Jonkman. Combining expertise in water, biotechnology, and delta engineering, the programme will address challenges such as pollution, rising sea levels, and flooding while exploring circular resource recovery and nature-based solutions. Alongside research, the initiative will focus on education, collaboration, and knowledge-sharing to deliver globally applicable insights and technologies for sustainable deltas.

(PRESS RELEASE) DELFT, 1-Oct-2025 — /EuropaWire/ — TU Delft has taken another step forward in its mission to tackle global environmental challenges by signing a framework agreement with engineering and consultancy firm Haskoning and the Delft University Fund. The agreement, supported by the Haskoning Innovation & Education Fund, will accelerate research into water technology and climate-resilient delta regions, enabling the launch of the first project at the end of 2025.

Building on years of successful collaboration with Haskoning, TU Delft will combine expertise from multiple disciplines—such as water technology, biotechnology, and delta engineering—to address the pressing challenges facing deltas worldwide. The programme will be led by TU Delft researchers including Dr. Mario Pronk, Professor Merle de Kreuk, and Professor Bas Jonkman, and will also prioritize knowledge-sharing, education, and collaboration with other experts in the field.

Innovating for sustainable deltas
Deltas and coastal regions are home to billions of people, but these areas are increasingly threatened by pollution, climate change, and rising sea levels. From PFAS and microplastics to the loss of valuable resources in sludge and sediment, water quality and safety are becoming urgent issues.

The new initiative will focus on creating innovative technologies that not only combat these problems but also contribute to circular resource recovery and nature-based solutions. The goal is to ensure deltas remain safe, liveable, and sustainable in the future while generating insights that can be applied globally.

Investing in tomorrow
The Delft University Fund plays a central role in enabling this research. By bringing together donations from alumni, students, businesses, and foundations, the fund supports TU Delft’s broader mission of advancing research, education, and entrepreneurship. This agreement highlights how cross-sector collaboration can accelerate the development of practical, scalable solutions to climate change and environmental pressures.

As TU Delft continues to contribute to global innovation in areas such as clean energy, climate adaptation, and digital resilience, this partnership underscores the importance of academic, corporate, and philanthropic collaboration in shaping a sustainable future.

Media Contact:

Dave Boomkens
Science Information Officer Climate & Energy
06 34 08 14 61
d.j.boomkens@tudelft.nlinfo@tudelft.nl

SOURCE: TU Delft