History

1903

• 15 April: Foundation of the ‘Algemene Nederlandsche Chemische Vereeniging’ by befriended chemists and colleagues Willem Jorissen, Jan Rutten and Lodewijk Reicher. The society has 113 members at the time of inception. Membership fee: NLG 7.50
• 4 July: The society is renamed the ‘Nederlandsche Chemische Vereeniging (Netherlands Chemical Society, NCV). Ernst Julius Cohen is appointed as the first chairman.
• 3 October: Publication of the first issue of Chemisch Weekblad, the official publication of the NCV, with Willem Jorissen as the journal’s editor in chief (a position he would hold until 1939).

1910

• NCV becomes owner of Chemisch Weekblad.

1917

• NCV introduces the analyst examination. The first exams are conducted in 1919.

1918

• The Netherlands Chemical Industry Association (VNCI) is founded by the NCV. Until then, the NCV did not distinguish between private and corporate membership.

1920

• Chemisch Weekblad becomes a joint publication of the NCV and VNCI. The scientific journal Recueil des Travaux Chimiques des Pays Bas is placed under the auspices of the NCV.

1926

• The Netherlands Organisation for Applied Scientific Research (TNO) is established based on findings and recommendations of a committee chaired by Prof. F.A.F.C. Went.

1934

• The Employment and Crisis Fund Committee encourages unemployed members to report to the board. The NCV makes a payment of NLG 4,000 into the crisis fund (following a payment of NLG 3,000 in 1932).

1939

• The NCV receives NLG 35,000 from the estate of F. Fellinga. This is to become the Fellinga Fund, a fund established in 1952 dedicated to providing travel grants to young chemists.
• The first office of the NCV and the editors of Chemisch Weekblad is set up in the Dutch Patent Council’s office in The Hague. Before that their office was housed in the home of NCV’s secretary!

1943

• Publication of Chemisch Weekblad is terminated. The German occupiers ordered the placement of a recruitment notice for the Waffen-SS and the Dutch army. Both the editors and the board objected to placing the notice.

1945

• Publication of Chemisch Weekblad is resumed. The journal is issued once every two weeks due to the paper shortage.
• Establishment of the ‘Zuiveringscommissie’ (Purging Committee). Based on the findings of this committee dozens of members were expelled.

1946

• The NCV moves to the first floor of the Diligentia building at the Lange Voorhout.

1953

• The NCV celebrates its 50th anniversary and receives the title ‘Royal’. The festivities take place at the Kurhaus Hotel. The society now has around 3,000 members.

1956

• The Society for Chemical Research the Netherlands (SON) is established on the initiative of the KNCV. The aim is to bring researchers into contact with one another. This soon leads to communities such as Spectroscopy, Protein Research and Electrochemistry.

1961

• The KNCV moves office to a newly acquired building in The Hague’s Burnierstraat. SON moves to the new location too.

1963

• The Analyst Exam is allocated to the Stichting voor Assisterend Laboratorium Personeel (SAL), a foundation that protects the interest of laboratory support staff as well as staff from medical and physical disciplines.
• Introduction of the ‘Gouden Medaille’, an honorary distinction for young talented Dutch chemists.  The award is now the most prestigious award for researchers in chemistry.

1967

• The KNCV becomes the publisher of Chemisch Weekblad. KNCV secretary Floor Haak, Edwin Kisman (chief editor from 1969 to 1997) and editor Paul Maas give the journal a new look and feel, making it more accessible to a non-research audience.

1972

• The KNCV establishes a committee that responds to the needs of the growing number of unemployed chemists on the market (the Labour Market and Social Task Committee).

1973

• Increased cooperation with sister societies abroad leads to the foundation of the European Federation of Chemical Societies (FECS) and the European Economic Community Chemistry Committee (EECCC).

1974

• Chemisch Weekblad and Recueil are taken under the wing of Sigma Publishing House, of which the KNCV is shareholder.

1978

• KNCV recommendation on research leads to the report ‘Stimulering van innovatieve research voor de chemische industrie’ (Promotion of Innovative Research for the Chemical Industry) and the report ‘Tien Researchdoelen’ (Ten Research Objectives).

1979

• Chemisch Weekblad gets a makeover. The monthly Chemisch Magazine is launched.

1981

• Ted de Ryck van der Gracht joins the KNCV as board secretary and director. A number of changes are implemented directly:
• Launch of the Young Members Committee, a committee that focuses on student members.
• The KNCV opens its doors to higher professional education graduates and laboratory staff. A separate section is established for this target group, namely the Laboratory & Business Practice section.

1982

• To increase awareness among a larger audience and improve the reputation of chemistry, the KNCV launches the Information Committee.
• The first edition of the encyclopaedia Chemische Feitelijkheden is published.
• The first ‘Chemistry Open Day’ attracts 35,000 visitors.

1984

• In collaboration with the VNCI, the KNCV presents a report entitled ‘Toekomstig Chemisch Onderzoek’ (The Future of Chemistry Research) to the Dutch Minister of Education, Culture and Science.

1986

• The Beta Federation is founded on the initiative of the KNCV. The Beta Federation is an umbrella organisation for scientific professional associations in the Netherlands.

1987

• The ‘Keuzen en Kansen in de chemie’ (Choices and Opportunities in Chemistry) report is published.

1990

• The Dutch government presents a framework for achieving sustainability through its National Environmental Policy Plan. Considering the impact for the chemical industry and chemistry-related professions, the KNCV issues a report entitled ‘Milieu: Chemici een zorg’ (The Environment: Why Chemists Care).

1992

• Introduction of the European Chemist (EurChem) title, an international professional qualification for chemists. The aim of this designation is to promote the mobility of chemical scientists throughout Europe based on an agreed set of skills, competencies and training.

1993

• The KNCV, VNCI and NVON join forces in founding Stichting C3. The primary target group of this independent foundation are educational institutes, in particular primary and secondary schools.
• The first volume of De Geschiedenis van de Scheikunde in Nederland (A History of Chemistry in the Netherlands) is published.

1994

• With the KIP (knowledge retention) placements, the KNCV comes up with a scheme for the fast-growing number of unemployed chemists. Thanks to a total of EUR 1 million in subsidies, dozens of chemists find permanent employment.

1996

• The KNCV website goes live.

1997

• The KNCV/VNCI’s plea for a separate Chemistry section within the Netherlands Organisation for Scientific Research (NOW) results in the Chemical Sciences department, the successor of SON.
• The second volume of De Geschiedenis van de Scheikunde in Nederland is published.

1999

• The Chemisch Magazine and Chemisch Weekblad become the biweekly magazine Chemisch2Weekblad. The accompanying website, c2w.nl, is updated daily with the latest news.

2000

• Iwan Thonus is named the new secretary of the KNCV.

2001

• After 40 years at the Burnierstraat, the KNCV office moves to the Vlietweg in Leidschendam. The new location houses the KNCV, VNCI and Stichting C3, all under one roof.
• The Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences (KNAW), in cooperation with the KNCV, publishes ‘Chemie achter de Dijken’ (Chemistry behind the Dikes), a  book published on the occasion of the centenary of the first Nobel Prize for Chemistry.
• The KNCV organises an Internet debate for the first time. Theme of the debate: security.

2002

• In honour of its upcoming 100th anniversary, the KNCV opens ‘The Year of the Molecule’ on 3 October.

2003

• On 15 April, a jubilee symposium is held at the Doelen in Rotterdam. A special edition of Chemisch2Weekblad, which is also celebrating its centenary, is issued. Seven honorary members are appointed: Frank Alderweireldt, Emmo Meijer, Jan Mulderink, Jan Reedijk, Simon Rozendaal, Rob Schilperoort and Henk Timmerman.
• On 2 October, the KNCV concludes its centennial celebration with the symposium ‘Op weg naar morgen’ (Paving the Way to Tomorrow) in which the future of chemistry in the year 2030 is laid out according to four possible future scenarios.
• The KNCV founds publishing company Bèta Publishers.

2004

• A new logo is launched to represent the KNCV’s new and broader identity.
• Chemisch2Weekblad is now published by Bèta Publishers. Chemisch2Weekblad editors move to the Vlietweg in Leidschendam.
• The third volume of De Geschiedenis van de Scheikunde in Nederland comes out.

2006

• The KNCV agency moves to the Castellum building at the Forepark in The Hague. Besides the VNCI and Stichting C3, VAPRO-OVP is also housed in the building. The new location is named ‘Synthesium’.

2008

• Gabrielle Donné-op den Kelder is appointed as secretary of the KNCV.

2009

• The existing KNCV logo is updated to reflect a modern look and feel.

2014

• Jan-Willem Toering joins the KNCV as director.
• In October, the KNCV organizes a KidsLab.
• The first Meet & Greet is also organized in October.
• During CHAINS, the KNCV Gold Medal is awarded to Geert Kops.

2015

• The second editions of Meet & Greet and the KidsLab are being organized.
• During 'Chemistry between the stars' Edwin Otten, Moniek Tromp and Tom Wennekes present the work for which they received the VIDI grant in the 'Oude Sterrewacht' in Leiden. Ewine van Dishoeck gave a glimpse into the real chemistry between the stars.
• During CHAINS, the KNCV Gold Medal is awarded to Sjors Scheres. The KNCV Pub Quiz is also being held here for the first time.

2016

• The kick-off of the KNCV Academy was given on 7 April.
• On 5 October, Prof. dr Ben Feringa is awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry.
• On 13 October, the first ‘Avond van de Chemie’ is organised by the KNCV. During this festive evening the brand-new Nobel Prize winner is made an honorary member of the KNCV.
• During CHAINS the first edition of the Jong KNCV Photo Competition was held. The KNCV Gold Medal is also awarded to Syuzanna Harutyunyan.

2017

• The KNCV and the C3 Foundation are joining forces during the first edition of 'Vuurvliegen'.
• The Chemistry Media Center was presented during the KNCV Meet & Greet on 13 June.
• The KNCV is bringing the IUPAC World Chemistry Congress 2023 to The Hague.
• In August, the KNCV moves from the 5th floor of the Synthesium to the renovated ground floor.
• The second ‘Avond van de Chemie’ took place on 19 October. During this festive evening, Nobel Prize winner Paul Crutzen is appointed an honorary member.
• During CHAINS, the KNCV Gold Medal is awarded to Nathalie Katsonis.
• During the ALV on December 7, the Computational and Theoretical Chemistry section (CTC) is established.

2018

• The preliminaries for 'The Brightest Chemist' took place from March.
• During the KNCV Meet & Greet, the 'Ovale Zaal' in the Teylers Museum is designated as the first National Chemical Heritage.
• The third edition of the ‘Avond van de Chemie’ took place on 9 October. Because the KNCV is celebrating its fifth anniversary, four honorary members are appointed: Ewine van Dishoeck, Rietje van Dam-Mieras, David Reinhoudt and Bert Meijer. There are also two new Members of Special Merit: Lene Hviid and Tom Gribnau. Erik Meij won the final of 'De Slimste Scheikundige', led by Philip Freriks. Pieter Derks provided a light-hearted intermezzo and sang the 'Chemielied', written especially for this occasion.
• During CHAINS, the KNCV Gold Medal is awarded to Pascal Jonkheijm.

2019

• This year has been declared 'The International Year of the Periodic Table' and the KNCV Office provides the secretariat.
• The first Dutch ResourCity was launched in Oss on 15 April.
• During the KNCV Meet & Greet, the DSM 'Grote Kantoor' in Delft is named the second National Chemical Heritage. The chairmanship of the KNCV Board is also transferred to Jeroen Cornelissen here.
• Launch of the new series Uit de labjas.
• During the EuChemS meeting in Bucharest, Floris Rutjes is elected as President-Elect.
• The fourth ‘Avond van de Chemie’ took place on 3 October, this time in Zwolle. The KNCV Erlenmeyer becomes part of the KNCV prize package.
• During CHAINS, the KNCV Gold Medal was presented to Ilja Voets. After a year of absence, the KNCV PubQuiz is back.

2020

• The beginning of the year is dominated by the corona crisis. As a result, many events are canceled.
• Tohether with Centrum JongerenComminucatie Chemie (C3) the KNCV starts with 'Vraagbaak Scheikunde'
• On June 9, the General Members Meeting is done online by means of a Zoom meeting. During this meeting Gerard van Koten is appointed Honorary Member. In addition, Ernst Homburg and Andries Bruins are appointed Member of Special Merit. The third National Chemical Heritage is also named here: the Laboratorium chimicum, Sonnenborgh.
• The KNCV starts a series of webinars on current topics such as COVID-19, the nitrogen problem and PFAS.
• The 'Avond van de Chemie' is also digital this year.
• During a digital version of CHAINS, the KNCV Gold Medal is awarded to Particia Dankers.

2021

• This year is also all about corona. There are not many events and most of them could only be attended digitally. During that period, the KNCV provides 10 webinars on various topics.
• The two General Members Meetings (June 30 and December 14) also take place digitally.
• Between two lockdowns, the ‘Avond van de Chemie’ can take place physically on October 14 in the Parktheater in Eindhoven.
• The unveiling of the National Chemical Heritage also takes place again this year. Van 't Hoff's former laboratory on Groenburgwal in Amsterdam is the fourth.
• During the second digital CHAINS, the KNCV Gold Medal is awarded to Timothy Noël.

2022

• During the KNCV Meet & Greet in Leiden, the former home of Sylvius and Boerhaave was named the fifth National Chemical Heritage site. The chairmanship of the KNCV Board was transferred to Yvonne van der Meer during the General Members' Meeting in Museum Boerhaave.
• During CHAINS, this year in September, the KNCV Gold Medal is awarded to Erik Garnett as a surprise element.
• On October 13 there will be the ‘Avond van de Chemie’ again. For the second time, De Leidse Schouwburg is the stage for the evening.

2023

• On February 3, Jong KNCV, together with LOBS (biology students), is organizing the Next Step Master Day, the successor to the Carbon Master Day.
• From April 15, the year focuses on 120 years of KNCV.
• The anniversary year is heralded with a cruise through the port of Rotterdam.
• The Pharmacological Laboratory in Oss - now known as the Banting building at Pivot Park - has been named the sixth National Chemical Heritage Site. The General Members Meeting is also held in Oss.
• In August, the KNCV is co-organizer of IUPAC|CHAINS 2023, a combination of the 49th IUPAC World Chemistry Congress and the 11th edition of CHAINS. During this conference, the winner of the Gold Medal, Gerard van Westen, is announced.
• It is also the year of 100 years of Future Pharma in Oss and in this context the 'Avond van de Chemie' takes place in De Lievekamp on October 5. During this evening, Floris Rutjes is appointed Honorary Member and Matthias Bickelhaupt is appointed Member of Special Merit.