GOOGLE GEMINI: Overall Scale of FrieslandCampina

Koninklijke FrieslandCampina N.V. is one of the world’s largest dairy co-operatives. Owned by thousands of member dairy farmers across the Netherlands, Germany, and Belgium, the company functions as a global agricultural heavyweight:

• Revenue: Approximately €13 billion annually. Wikipedia
• Workforce: Employs roughly 19,000 to 27,000 employees worldwide across office staff, logistics, R&D, and production facilities.
• Global Footprint: Processes milk and distributes dairy products in over 100 countries, operating major processing plants and commercial offices in Europe, Asia, and Africa.
• Product Portfolio: Ranges from consumer dairy brands (such as Campina, Chocomel, Frico, Milner, and Appelsientje) to specialized ingredients (infant nutrition, whey protein concentrates, and pharmaceutical lactose via DFE Pharma).

Headquarters Location: Amersfoort

Yes, the Global Corporate Headquarters is in Amersfoort.

• Address: Stationsplein 4, 3818 LE Amersfoort FrieslandCampina Careers
• Role: Located directly adjacent to the Amersfoort central train station, this central executive office houses the Executive Board, global marketing, treasury, legal, HR, and global commercial strategy units.
• Innovation Hub: While corporate administration is centered in Amersfoort, global primary R&D and product development take place at the FrieslandCampina Innovation Centre located on the Wageningen University & Research (WUR) campus.

Ownership & Capital Structure

• 100% Cooperative Ownership: Royal FrieslandCampina N.V. is a private limited liability company entirely owned by Zuivelcoöperatie FrieslandCampina U.A. FrieslandCampina
• Member Dairy Farmers: The cooperative itself is owned by over 13,000 to 14,000 member dairy farmers across the Netherlands, Germany, Belgium, and France. FrieslandCampina+ 1
• No Public Stock: Because the company is completely owned by its member farmers, its shares are not publicly traded, meaning individual investors cannot buy shares on the stock exchange. FrieslandCampina

Financing Mechanisms

Instead of issuing public equity on stock exchanges, FrieslandCampina raises and structures capital internally and through debt markets:

• Member Certificates / Member Bonds: Financial participating units and debt certificates issued directly to its member dairy farmers to fund long-term operations.
• Corporate Bonds: The company occasionally issues corporate debt/bonds on institutional financial markets for liquidity and investment capital, but its equity remains strictly in cooperative hands.

FrieslandCampina’s member milk payout structure is a core element of its cooperative model. Rather than simply buying milk at spot-market rates, the cooperative pays its member farmers through a multi-tiered price model designed to balance market competitiveness, milk composition, sustainability targets, and company performance.

The Four Main Components of Member Payouts

The total amount a farmer receives per 100 kilograms of milk supplied is referred to as the Integral Milk Price and consists of four main layers:

Integral Milk Price = Guaranteed Price ± Quality/Composition Adjustments + Premiums/Bonuses - Charges

1. The Guaranteed Price (Gegarandeerde Prijs)

• Baseline Benchmark: This is the base price per 100 kg that FrieslandCampina guarantees to pay members for standard raw milk.
• How It Is Calculated: It tracks the average raw milk prices paid by major benchmark dairy processors in Northwestern Europe (across the Netherlands, Germany, Denmark, and Belgium).
• Standard Composition: Quoted based on a standardized fat and protein content (e.g., 3.57% protein and 4.49% fat).

2. Milk Composition & Quality Adjustments (Melkgeld)

• Fat and Protein Valuation: Milk is priced according to its actual contents. Farmers with higher protein and fat percentages receive higher total payouts per 100 kg.
• Quality Standards: Milk must meet strict hygiene, cell count, and cooling standards. Penalties or deductions apply if milk fails temperature or bacterial checks.

3. Premiums and Special Milk Streams

Members can increase their payout per 100 kg by meeting specific farming criteria or supplying specialized milk streams:

• Foqus Planet Premium: A sustainability program rewarding members for emissions reduction, biodiversity, animal welfare, and renewable energy use.
• Outdoor Grazing Bonus (Weidegang): Up to €1.30 per 100 kg for full outdoor grazing (allowing cows to graze in pastures for a minimum number of days/hours per year) or €0.40 for partial grazing.
• Special Quality Seals: Higher premiums for specialized certifications, such as On the way to PlanetProof (around +€5.00/100 kg) or organic/biodynamic milk flows.
• Volume Bonus: A bonus (e.g., €0.50 per 100 kg) for farms delivering above 1.5 million kilograms of milk annually.

4. Fixed Cost Deductions & Charges

• Standard Fixed Charges: Minor administrative and cooperative fixed cost deductions (e.g., ~€0.19 per 100 kg) are offset against the monthly payout.
• Foqus Planet Charge: A base deduction (e.g., ~€0.60 per 100 kg) is applied to fund the overall sustainability pool, which is then redistributed (and supplemented by the company) as performance premiums.

End-of-Year Profits & Retained Earnings

On top of monthly milk money, members participate in the cooperative’s financial performance through two additional mechanisms:

1. Supplementary Cash Payment (Contante Nabetaling): If FrieslandCampina generates sufficient net profit at the corporate level, a portion of the profits is paid out to farmers retroactively as an annual cash dividend per 100 kg supplied.
2. Member Certificates & Bonds: A portion of profits is retained by the cooperative to fund capital investments, in exchange for issuing interest-bearing Member Bonds or Member Certificates to the farmers. These provide annual interest payments back to the member farmers.

Reint Jelger: Can you tell how much it costs a farm to become a member of FrieslandCampina

Google Gemini: Becoming a member of the Zuivelcoöperatie FrieslandCampina U.A. involves both direct entry costs and capital investments tied to the farm’s annual milk production.

The total cost to join consists of two main financial components, calculated per 100 kg of expected annual milk supply:

Key Financial Components

1. Joining Fee (Entreegeld)

• Standard Fee: €10.00 to €15.00 per 100 kg of expected annual milk production. (A discount of around €2.00 per 100 kg may apply for loyal dairy suppliers transitioning within cooperative spheres). FrieslandCampina+ 1
• Purpose: This non-refundable contribution helps balance capital investments made by incumbent members over time.

2. Milk Certificates (Melkcertificaten)

• Cost: €8.00 per 100 kg of delivered milk. FrieslandCampina
• Purpose: New and existing members are required to hold milk certificates, which represent the member’s financial capital contribution to the cooperative. These certificates are limitedly tradeable on FrieslandCampina’s internal financial market. FrieslandCampina+ 1

Example Cost Calculation

For an average Dutch dairy farm producing 800,000 kg (800 tonnes) of milk per year:

Item	Calculation	Estimated Cost
Joining Fee	8,000×€15.00	€120,000
Milk Certificates	8,000×€8.00	€64,000
Total Estimated Investment		€184,000

Additional Operational & Quality Requirements

Beyond the initial entry capital, member farms must also fulfill specific quality and operational prerequisites:

• Foqus Planet Quality Standards: Farms must meet all criteria under FrieslandCampina’s quality, safety, and sustainability program (Foqus planet). Standard deductions (e.g., €0.60 per 100 kg for sustainability development) and fixed cooperative costs (around €0.19 per 100 kg) are settled through the monthly milk pay. FrieslandCampina
• Financing Options: FrieslandCampina offers structured financing plans to spread out the entry fee payments for new members rather than requiring a single upfront sum. FrieslandCampina

Gemini: TE Connectivity is a global technology industrial leader that designs and manufactures precision-engineered connectivity and sensor solutions. Its core product portfolio centers around robust connectors, cables, relays, and electronic components engineered to reliably transmit data, power, and signals even in the harshest environments. By enabling secure electrical and optical connections, the company underpins systems that require absolute operational integrity, minimizing failure rates across complex networks.

The company serves a diverse array of critical global industries, most notably the automotive sector—where its components support electric vehicles (EVs), battery systems, and advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS)—as well as aerospace, defense, medical technology, and data centers. In industrial automation and energy infrastructure, TE’s parts facilitate factory robotics, smart manufacturing, and reliable power distribution grids.

Ultimately, TE Connectivity acts as a foundational enabler of modern digital and physical infrastructure. As technology evolves toward higher electrification, increased automation, and greater data demands, the company provides the essential hardware backbone that keeps modern machinery, vehicles, communication networks, and healthcare devices safely connected and operational.

The American HQ of TE Connectivity:

Google Gemini: TE Connectivity is not listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange.

Primary Stock Exchange

• Exchange: New York Stock Exchange (NYSE)
• Ticker Symbol: TEL

Despite having its registered legal domicile in Schaffhausen, Switzerland (shown in the first photo), its primary equity listing and primary trading volume are on the NYSE in USD.

Presence on the Swiss Market

While TE Connectivity shares are not listed or traded directly as a stock on SIX, the company maintains a presence in the Swiss financial system in two indirect ways:

1. Underlying Asset for Derivatives: TE Connectivity is registered on the SIX exchange as an underlying asset for structured financial products, warrants, and derivatives traded in Switzerland.
2. Corporate/Legal Entity: Its Swiss registration status allows it to be incorporated under Swiss corporate law while keeping its main equity trading centered on Wall Street.

Reint Jelger: Do all electric auto producers use TE connectivity products?

Gemini: While it cannot be definitively guaranteed that 100% of every electric vehicle manufacturer worldwide uses TE Connectivity (TE) components, virtually all major global electric auto producers do.

TE Connectivity is the global market leader in automotive connectors, sensors, and high-voltage wiring systems, holding a dominant position in the EV supply chain.

Key Reasons TE Components Are in Almost Every EV

• High-Voltage Architecture Dominance: Transitioning from traditional internal combustion engines (ICE) to electric vehicles requires moving from standard 12V systems to high-voltage battery architecture (400V to 800V+). TE supplies the specialized connectors, relays (AMP+ series), and high-voltage contactors needed for battery management and power distribution.
• Tier-1 Supplier Relationships: TE works directly with almost all major global OEMs—including legacy automakers (like Volkswagen Group, BMW, GM, Ford, and Toyota) and pure-play EV manufacturers—as well as major Tier-1 harness builders (such as Aptiv, Yazaki, and Sumitomo).
• Charging Infrastructure & In-Vehicle Standards: TE components are heavily integrated into both the charging inlets of electric vehicles (CCS, NACS/Tesla standard, and CHAdeMO) and public fast-charging infrastructure.

Are there exceptions?

Some domestic manufacturers in regions like China or localized low-speed EV builders may occasionally rely entirely on local alternative suppliers (such as Amphenol, Rosenberger, or domestic Chinese connector brands) to cut costs. However, for standard passenger electric vehicles produced globally, TE Connectivity is virtually ubiquitous across the industry.

1. Swiss Ownership Breakdown

Exact individual Swiss retail ownership figures are not publicly disclosed by TE Connectivity, but Swiss ownership makes up only a minor fraction of the total stock.

The key reasons and available data regarding its ownership structure include:

• U.S. Institutional Dominance: Over 80–90% of TE Connectivity’s total outstanding shares are held by major global institutional asset managers, primarily based in the United States. Its top individual shareholders are major U.S. investment firms including The Vanguard Group (~12.7%), BlackRock, and State Street Corp (~4.7%).
• Swiss Domicile vs. Share Ownership: While TE Connectivity’s legal parent company (TE Connectivity Ltd.) is incorporated in Schaffhausen, Switzerland, this was structured primarily for tax and corporate administration purposes rather than local capital raising. Because its equity trades exclusively on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: TEL), it remains predominantly owned by American index funds and institutional investors.
• Swiss Institutional Share: Swiss financial institutions, private banks, and Swiss-domiciled asset management funds do hold shares in TEL, but combined with local retail investors, total Swiss-based ownership is estimated to be under 5% of the company’s float.

2. Recent Key Investing Details

Metric	Recent Figure	Notes
Ticker & Exchange	NYSE: TEL	Primary equity listing traded in USD
Recent Share Price	~$210 – $215 USD	Trades within its recent 52-week range (~$180–$243)
Quarterly Dividend	$0.78 per share	Most recent payout (September 2026)
Annualized Dividend	$3.12 per share	($0.78 × 4 quarters)
Dividend Yield	~1.45%	Based on current trading price level
Payout Ratio	~28%	Highly sustainable payout ratio relative to earnings
Dividend Growth	18 consecutive years	Consistent dividend increase track record

Google Gemini: Here is a list of 15 major manufacturing, logistics, wholesale, and industrial companies operating in and around Sneek that actively employ forklift drivers (heftruckchauffeurs) and warehouse/logistics personnel:

1. Manufacturing & Processing

• Poiesz Supermarkten (Distributiecentrum)
  • Sector: Grocery Retail & Logistics
  • Overview: The central distribution center for the Poiesz supermarket chain is located in Sneek. It handles large-scale warehousing, pallet movements, and daily store replenishment requiring extensive forklift and reach truck operations.
• FrieslandCampina (Sneek Location)
  • Sector: Dairy Manufacturing
  • Overview: Operates production and processing facilities in Sneek, requiring certified forklift operators for raw material intake, packaging transport, and cold storage logistics.
• Cloetta Holland
  • Sector: Food Manufacturing (Confectionery)
  • Overview: The confectionery plant in Sneek produces well-known sweets (such as King and Peijnenburg products). Operations rely on forklift drivers to handle raw ingredients and packaged end-products within the warehouse.
• Teka Group / Lankhorst Engineered Products
  • Sector: Heavy Plastics & Technical Manufacturing
  • Overview: Produces heavy recycled plastic infrastructure products and specialized industrial materials. Moving heavy mold equipment, raw polymers, and large finished goods requires experienced forklift drivers.
• A. Vogel / Bioforce
  • Sector: Natural Health & Pharmaceuticals
  • Overview: Maintains production and logistical operations in Sneek, utilizing warehouse staff and forklift drivers for inbound raw herbal/plant materials and outbound shipping.

2. Logistics, Packaging & Distribution

• Rentex Floron
  • Sector: Industrial Laundry & Textile Logistics
  • Overview: One of the largest commercial laundry and textile service providers for Dutch healthcare and hospitality sectors. Forklift drivers manage heavy textile containers and bulk chemical stock logistics.
• LC Packaging
  • Sector: Packaging Materials & Bulk Handling Solutions
  • Overview: Operates warehousing and distribution facilities handling Big Bags, agricultural packaging, and corrugated packaging, where forklift operators load/unload trailers and store bulk stock.
• Douwe Egberts / JDE Peet’s Distribution
  • Sector: Food & Beverage Logistics
  • Overview: Regional supply hubs in the Sneek/Friesland network handle coffee and tea packaging materials and finished goods inventory.
• Miedema Logistics / Transport
  • Sector: Freight Forwarding & Warehousing
  • Overview: A local transport and warehousing partner in Sneek supporting regional industrial clients with palletized storage and cross-docking operations.

3. Building Supplies, Wholesale & Technical Trade

• Bouwmaat Sneek
  • Sector: Wholesale Building Supplies
  • Overview: Serves contractors and trade professionals. Forklift drivers manage heavy timber, mason materials, and palletized construction goods in the yard and warehouse.
• PontMeyer Sneek
  • Sector: Timber & Building Materials Wholesale
  • Overview: Requires outdoor yard forklift drivers specialized in handling long timber, board materials, and heavy structural building elements.
• BMN Bouwmaterialen (Sneek)
  • Sector: Building Materials Distribution
  • Overview: Operates large timber and building supply yards requiring steady forklift movement for order picking and heavy material dispatch.
• Sligro Food Group (Sneek)
  • Sector: Foodservice Wholesale
  • Overview: A major wholesale supplier for the hospitality and institutional sectors, using reach trucks and forklifts in temperature-controlled warehouse zones.

4. Marine Engineering & Industrial Equipment

• Vetus Maxwell / Vetus BV
  • Sector: Marine Equipment & Nautical Engineering
  • Overview: Supplies marine engines, thrusters, and boat accessories worldwide, operating warehouse operations in Sneek for component storage and order fulfillment.
• Frisia Groep (Frisia Zout / Processing & Related Industrial Utilities)
  • Sector: Chemical & Industrial Logistics
  • Overview: Regional industrial chemical and bulk operations requiring heavy-duty forklift drivers for palletized salt products and technical spare parts management.

Reint Jelger: Would it be possible for baarda.ch to get independent contracts with farmers from Colombia, that are in for robot plucking?

Google Gemini: Yes, it is entirely possible, but executing independent direct-trade contracts with Colombian coffee farmers who use automated or selective robot plucking requires navigating specific technological, legal, and operational realities in Colombia.

1. Technological Reality: The Terrain Challenge

Robotic harvesting in Colombia is an emerging, highly specialized niche:

• The Slopes: Most high-grade Colombian Arabica grows on steep Andean terrain (30°–45° incline), where conventional tractor-style harvesters cannot operate. cofitur.com
• Selective Picking: Quality coffee requires harvesting only ripe red cherries while leaving green ones. Human labor traditionally does this, but newer AI-vision autonomous micro-pickers and drone/robotic platforms are being tested specifically for steep-slope selective picking.
• Target Farmer Profile: To contract for robot-picked beans, you will primarily be targeting either:
  1. Consolidated, technologically advanced coffee groups (e.g., larger operations in regions like Antioquia or Valle del Cauca that invest in tech).
  2. Innovative tech-forward micro-farms or agtech pilots (often partnering with robotics startups) testing lightweight robotic arms or cable-suspended picking systems.

2. Legal & Contracting Requirements in Colombia

To contract directly with farmers and export green coffee to Europe/Switzerland, the agreement structure must account for Colombian agricultural regulations:

A. Federación Nacional de Cafeteros (FNC) & Export Licensing

• In Colombia, all coffee exports are regulated by the FNC and INVIMA (for health standards).
• Even if you sign a private direct-trade contract with a farmer, the coffee must be exported through a registered exporter (Exportador de Café) licensed by the FNC.
• Solution: You can structure an Independent Forward Purchase Agreement with the farm, but pair it with a local Colombian dry-mill (trilladora) or logistics provider that holds an active FNC export license to execute customs clearance.

B. Contractual Framework for Robot Harvesting

Your direct-trade contract should explicitly define criteria unique to robotic picking:

• Selective Maturity Tolerances: Define maximum allowable percentages for green/unripe cherries in the harvest lot (since machine vision parameters can vary).
• Defect Rates & Defeathering/Sorting: Standardize post-harvest optical sorting requirements before export.
• Traceability & Tech Verification: Verification clauses ensuring the lot originated from designated robot-harvested plots (crucial if marketed as «AI/Robot Harvested Single Origin»).

3. Supply Chain & Platform Integration Options

If structuring the physical import independently into Europe/Switzerland, there are two primary paths:

Model	How It Works	Tech & Logistics Overhead
Direct Farm Contract + Local Exporter	You negotiate price, volume, and picking specs directly with the farmer. A local Colombian export service handles milling, FNC registration, and container shipping.	Medium-High: Requires boots on the ground or direct relationships in Colombia.
Direct Sourcing Platforms (e.g., Algrano)	You sign a direct-trade contract with the farmer, but execute logistics, escrow payment, quality control, and Swiss import through platforms like Algrano (headquartered in Zurich).	Low: Algrano handles shipping, customs, and clearing while keeping the farmer contract direct.

4. Strategic Next Steps for Contracting

1. Identify Agtech-Adopted Regions: Focus outreach on farms in Antioquia, Caldas, Risaralda, or Quindío, where coffee innovation hubs and agtech pilot programs are most active.
2. Draft a Bilateral Direct-Trade Agreement: Include volume, quality grade (SCA score > 84 for specialty), payment terms (e.g., 30% advance for harvesting prep, 70% upon bill of lading), and specific robotic harvesting verification.
3. Partner with a Swiss/European Clearing Agent: Use a Swiss-based green coffee importer or logistics partner to handle border clearance, EU/Swiss deforestation due diligence (EUDR compliance), and local storage.

This is the 600 gram version, we will not sell smaller units, there is also the 1200 gram and the 1800 gram.

Google Gemini: Precision Robotic Picking is where the market is innovating:

• Autonomous Vision-Guided Harvesters: Systems like self-propelled harvesters (e.g., Oxbo) or experimental AI-driven robotic arms use multispectral cameras and optical sensors to identify and pick only 100% ripe cherries on a pass-by-pass basis.
• Where to Source: Major origin markets embracing full automation and precision harvesting technology include Brazil (flat topography, large scale) and selective tech-forward estates in Colombia or Vietnam.

Google Gemini: The Cummins X15N is widely considered a major milestone in commercial vehicle engineering—not necessarily because it reinvents the internal combustion engine from scratch, but because it represents a highly strategic, pragmatic pivot for heavy-duty transport.

For decades, fleets wanting to decarbonize faced a hard push toward heavy battery-electric or hydrogen fuel cell technology, both of which face massive hurdles in infrastructure, vehicle weight, and payload capacity. The X15N changes the conversation for several key reasons:

1. The First True 15-Liter Heavy-Duty Gas Engine

Previous natural gas engines—like Cummins‘ own ISX12N—maxed out around 12 liters. While great for regional or refuse trucks, they struggled to match the raw pulling power, gradeability, and longevity required for long-haul Class 8 line-haul operations.

• The X15N delivers up to 500 horsepower and 1,850 lb-ft of torque, matching the performance profiles of traditional diesel engines without sacrificing highway speed or pulling capacity. Cummins

2. The HELM™ Fuel-Agnostic Architecture

The engine is part of Cummins‘ HELM platform strategy (Higher Efficiency, Lower emissions, Multiple fuels).

• Instead of designing entirely separate engines for every alternative fuel, Cummins built a base engine architecture that shares common components below the head gasket. Cummins
• Variants of this core family can be optimized for natural gas, advanced diesel, or hydrogen. For manufacturers and fleets, this drastically simplifies parts commonality, manufacturing lines, and maintenance familiarity. Cummins

3. The Renewable Natural Gas (RNG) Advantage

While natural gas is still a fossil fuel, the X15N was engineered to run seamlessly on Renewable Natural Gas (RNG)—which is captured from agricultural waste, landfills, and wastewater treatment plants.

• When fueled by RNG, the carbon intensity drops dramatically. Depending on the source, it can achieve net-neutral or even sub-zero well-to-wheel carbon emissions. Major logistics operations and fleets (like UPS and Walmart) have heavily gravitated toward it because it allows them to cut emissions immediately without waiting for electric charging corridors to materialize. Cummins

4. Simpler Aftertreatment and Lower TCO

Unlike modern heavy-duty diesels, which require complex, high-maintenance emissions systems (including Diesel Exhaust Fluid / DEF and active diesel particulate filters), the X15N uses a passive, maintenance-free three-way catalyst. It doesn’t use DEF at all, which lowers operational complexity, reduces points of failure, and brings down the total cost of ownership (TCO).

Reint Jelger: So, with the invention of the Cummins X15N came the possibility of having heavy-duty trucks on renewable natural gas, does that make America possibly more energy independant?

Google Gemini: The short answer is yes. While the United States has achieved net total energy exporter status thanks to the shale revolution, its transport sector has long faced a structural Achilles‘ heel: heavy-duty freight remains heavily tied to diesel and global petroleum markets.

By bridging the gap for Class 8 long-haul trucking, engines like the Cummins X15N unlock a pathway to displace imported diesel with 100% domestically produced Renewable Natural Gas (RNG).

1. Closing the «Long-Haul» Energy Gap

For years, natural gas engines (like 12-liter variants) were restricted to regional delivery, transit, and municipal refuse trucks because they lacked the raw torque and horsepower needed for cross-country line-haul operations.

• Because long-haul trucking accounts for a massive share of heavy highway diesel consumption, the inability to run these routes on alternative fuels left U.S. freight vulnerable to global crude oil price shocks.
• The X15N delivers 500 horsepower and 1,850 lb-ft of torque, proving that a heavy gas engine can handle heavy-duty loads. This unlocks a massive addressable market of long-haul trucks that can now bypass diesel entirely.

2. RNG is Completely Domestic and Circular

Unlike fossil fuels, which are subject to geopolitical tensions, maritime choke points, and global supply chain disruptions, RNG is harvested entirely within domestic borders.

• It is captured from local municipal landfills, large-scale dairy and agricultural waste facilities, and wastewater treatment plants.
• Because the feedstock is generated locally as a byproduct of waste management and agriculture, it cannot be cut off by foreign cartels or international trade disputes. It represents a truly closed-loop, domestic energy source.

3. Leveraging Existing Infrastructure

One of the major bottlenecks for alternative energy sources (like hydrogen or electric charging corridors) is the staggering cost and time required to build brand-new distribution infrastructure.

• RNG is chemically identical to fossil natural gas. This means it flows seamlessly through the existing U.S. interstate natural gas pipeline network and uses established Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) and Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) fueling stations.
• Fleets can transition to RNG without waiting for a massive overhaul of the nation’s energy grid or transit corridors.

4. Macroeconomic and Trade Balance Benefits

From an economic standpoint, replacing petroleum-based diesel with domestic RNG keeps capital circulating within the local economy rather than bleeding out through trade deficits for imported crude oil. It creates an industrial feedback loop: agricultural and municipal waste is converted into high-value transport fuel, boosting regional economies while stabilizing fuel pricing for logistics firms.

Reint Jelger: Thanks. can you tell me what one Cummins X15N engine costs, and what trucks brands they could be fitted in, and like do you think this invention will make Clean Energy Fuels Corp. USA bigger?

The Cummins X15N is set to make a significant impact across the commercial transport sector. Details regarding its pricing, compatible truck OEM platforms, and market implications for fuel providers outline its position in the industry:

1. What Does a Cummins X15N Cost?

• Base Engine Price: An off-the-shelf X15N crate engine generally runs in the range of $30,000 to $40,000+ (compared to ~$20,000–$25,000 for a replacement diesel engine assembly).
• Complete Truck Upcharge: When ordering a brand-new Class 8 truck spec’d with an X15N powertrain, the overall vehicle price premium is typically $30,000 to $50,000 higher than a standard diesel equivalent.
• The ROI Offset: This upfront premium is often recouped by fleets within 2 to 3 years. Because natural gas and RNG are significantly cheaper than diesel on a diesel-gallon-equivalent (DGE) basis, and because the X15N eliminates the need for DEF (Diesel Exhaust Fluid) and complex diesel particulate filter maintenance, the total cost of ownership (TCO) drops noticeably over long mileages.

2. Which Truck Brands Offer the X15N?

Major North American heavy-duty original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) have integrated the X15N into their flagship line-haul and vocational trucks:

• Peterbilt: Offered on line-haul models like the 579, as well as severe-duty/vocational models like the 567 and 520.
• Kenworth: Available in the flagship aerodynamic highway tractor T680 and the vocational workhorse T880.
• Freightliner (Daimler Truck): Integrated into the 5th-generation Freightliner Cascadia, giving long-haul fleets direct access to the nation’s best-selling Class 8 highway tractor platform on RNG.

3. Impact on Clean Energy Fuels Corp. (CLNE)

Yes, the X15N acts as a massive operational catalyst for Clean Energy Fuels Corp.

Before the X15N, Clean Energy Fuels faced a structural growth ceiling:

1. The Long-Haul Bottleneck: About 70% of heavy diesel fuel consumed in the U.S. is used by Class 8 long-haul trucks. Older 12-liter natural gas engines (like the ISX12N) didn’t have enough power or torque for fully loaded 80,000 lb long-distance highway hauls, so major fleets couldn’t convert their primary long-haul routes.
2. Unlocking Volume: The 15-liter X15N breaks that bottleneck. As giant fleets like UPS, Walmart, and regional freight carriers adopt X15N trucks, the volume of RNG required per vehicle jumps significantly (since long-haul trucks consume vast amounts of fuel annually compared to local yard trucks).
3. Infrastructure Monetization: Clean Energy Fuels operates nationwide RNG station networks and distribution partnerships with energy giants like BP and TotalEnergies. High-volume adoption of the X15N directly increases throughput at their station network, converting capital investments into recurring high-margin RNG fuel sales and environmental credits (such as LCFS and RINs).

Reint Jelger: Are there American truckers with a distinct like for trucking on a Diesel engine, and do you think driving on Gas is just as manly?

Google Gemini: In American trucking, there is undoubtedly a deep-rooted cultural affinity for diesel. However, as engines like the Cummins X15N hit the highway, the definition of what makes a rig «manly» or respectable is shifting toward raw performance, mechanical capability, and bottom-line earnings.

The Culture of «Diesel Supremacy»

For generations, American owner-operators and long-haul drivers have equated heavy-duty trucking with classic diesel characteristics:

• The Rumble and the Compression Brake: The deep, visceral growl of a big-bore diesel engine combined with the roaring sound of a Jake Brake on a steep downgrade is synonymous with American highway culture.
• Rolling Coal and Raw Power: Historically, alternative fuels were viewed by traditional truckers as underpowered «city delivery» tech—slower up mountain passes and lacking the torque required to pull 80,000 lbs across the Rockies.
• Self-Reliance and Tradition: Diesel represented rugged independence—easy to fuel anywhere, proven over decades, and straightforward to repair in a roadside shop without specialized high-pressure gas certification.

Does Driving on Gas Hold Up in Trucking Culture?

Whether driving a natural gas rig is considered «just as manly» depends on how a driver defines modern trucking pride:

1. Torque and Pulling Power Speak Louder Than Fuel

In trucking, respect is earned on 6% mountain grades, not at the fuel pump.

• Older 12-liter gas engines struggled on long climbs, which gave natural gas a reputation for being sluggish.
• The X15N changes that perception by delivering 500 hp and 1,850 lb-ft of torque—matching mainstream 15-liter diesel specs. When a driver can pull heavy loads at highway speeds and hold grade alongside diesel rigs, the traditional prejudice quickly disappears.

2. The Comfort Factor: A Smoother, Quieter Cab

While some traditionalists miss the loud diesel rattle, many veteran drivers actually prefer spark-ignited gas engines on cross-country runs. The X15N operates much quieter and produces fewer cab vibrations, resulting in significantly lower driver fatigue after a 11-hour shift on the road.

3. No DEF and Fewer Emission Headaches

Modern diesels require complex, high-maintenance emissions equipment—specifically Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF), active DPF regeneration cycles, and EGR valves that frequently cause roadside breakdowns.

• The X15N uses a simple, passive three-way catalyst and requires zero DEF.
• Many drivers view bypassing DEF fills and avoiding engine derates caused by faulty sensors as a far smarter, hassle-free way to operate.

4. Profitability is the Ultimate Metric

To real working truckers and owner-operators, true pride comes from running a profitable, reliable business. Operating an RNG-powered truck that cuts fuel costs drastically, maintains speed under heavy load, and keeps money in the driver’s pocket is as respected as it gets in the freight industry.

GEMINI: What We See in the Image

The generated image depicts a cleanroom laboratory environment centered around a superconducting quantum computer:

• The Cryogenic Dilution Refrigerator: Hanging vertically in the central frame is the multi-tiered «chandelier» structure. This cryostat uses liquid helium mixtures to cool the quantum processor at the bottom down to near absolute zero ($\sim 10$ millikelvin) so that superconducting transmons can operate.
• Gold-Plated Shielding & Wiring: The gold plating prevents thermal radiation and corrosion, while the intricate web of coaxial cables carries microwave pulses to manipulate and read out the qubits.
• Structural Rig & Control Racks: The main unit is mounted on an industrial extrusion frame. To the side stand server racks holding microwave pulse generators, digitizers, and classical control electronics.
• Workstations & Cleanroom Setup: Researchers in lab coats monitor diagnostics at surrounding desks equipped with multi-monitor setups.

Is This for Sale by IQM Finland?

Yes! Unlike many competitors who only offer cloud access to their hardware, on-premise sales of physical quantum systems are IQM’s primary business model.

IQM manufactures and sells full-stack superconducting quantum computers directly to universities, supercomputing centers (HPCs), and research institutes.

Their commercial product lineup includes:

1. IQM Spark™: A entry-level, 5-qubit superconducting system designed specifically for universities and educational labs to own on-premise.
2. IQM Radiance™: Their flagship system scaling from 20 to 54 and up to 150 qubits, targeted at national supercomputing centers and high-performance computing (HPC) integrations.
3. IQM Halocene™: Designed as an open platform targeted at quantum error correction research.

While a full-scale machine (like IQM Radiance) typically costs several million euros, they cater directly to institutions wanting physical ownership of the hardware rather than renting cloud time.

Google Gemini: Both the Kingdom of the Netherlands and the Kingdom of Norway import copper, but they do so for distinct reasons given their differing industrial footprints and role in European trade logistics.

1. Kingdom of the Netherlands

Role & Import Profile

• Import Type: The Netherlands imports refined copper cathodes, semi-manufactured copper articles, wire, and scrap rather than raw unrefined ores.
• Primary Drivers: It functions as Europe’s central trading hub (the Rotterdam Effect). Unwrought copper and semi-finished copper flow through the Port of Rotterdam to feed downstream European manufacturing (notably in Germany and Belgium), as well as domestic high-tech manufacturing, electrical engineering, cabling, and construction.
• Import Value: Imports of refined copper cathodes hover around $750 million to $800+ million annually.

Key Supplier Regions & Countries

1. European Union / Intra-European Trade:
   • Germany & Belgium: Major European metallurgical and recycling plants supply finished wire, rods, and cathodes to Dutch fabricators.
   • Poland & Sweden: Key regional producers of refined cathodes.
2. Sub-Saharan Africa & South America (Raw & Refined Cathodes):
   • Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) & Republic of the Congo: Primary sources of raw/refined unwrought copper shipped via global commodity trading houses.
   • Chile & Brazil: Major South American mining hubs supplying copper to EU entry points.
3. North America & Central Asia: Canada (copper concentrates/ores) and Uzbekistan. The Observatory of Economic Complexity (OEC)

Major Mining, Smelting & Trading Companies Supplying the Market

• Aurubis AG (Germany): Europe’s largest copper smelter and recycler, supplying refined copper products across Northern Europe.
• KGHM Polska Miedź (Poland): One of Europe’s largest primary copper miners and refiners.
• Boliden AB (Sweden): Operates smelters (e.g., Rönnskär) and mines supplying Nordic and Dutch markets.
• Glencore & Trafigura (Switzerland/Global): The primary commodity trading houses routing African (DRC) and South American copper through Dutch ports.

2. Kingdom of Norway

Role & Import Profile

• Import Type: Norway’s industrial base relies heavily on domestic primary aluminum production (hydro-powered smelting), but it must import copper—primarily as refined copper cathodes, copper wire/cabling, powders, and alloyed products. The Observatory of Economic Complexity (OEC)
• Primary Drivers: Norway’s demand is heavily tied to its marine, offshore oil & gas, renewable energy (offshore wind & subsea grid connections), and electrification infrastructure, all of which require vast amounts of heavy-duty insulated copper wiring and cabling.

This is a rendered image of copper bars.

Key Supplier Regions & Countries

1. Nordic & European Neighbors (Overwhelming Majority):
   • Sweden & Finland: Norway relies heavily on neighboring Nordic supply chains for refined copper cathode and processed wire rod.
   • Germany & United Kingdom: High-grade engineering copper, specialized copper powders, and heavy subsea power cables.
2. Global Primary Producers:
   • Chile and Peru supply cathode material via European distribution networks.

Major Companies Supplying the Norwegian Market

• Boliden AB (Sweden): Serves as the primary regional copper supplier for Scandinavia.
• Outokumpu / Luvata (Finland): Supplies specialized copper alloys and manufacturing feedstocks.
• Nexans & NKT: Key subsea and power cable manufacturers operating in the Nordics that handle copper rod conversion for Norwegian offshore projects.
• Aurubis AG (Germany): Major exporter of refined copper products into the Nordic market.

Key Comparison

Feature	Kingdom of the Netherlands	Kingdom of Norway
Primary Use	Transit trade, warehousing, high-tech manufacturing, and European re-exporting.	Energy sector (offshore wind/grid), subsea cabling, maritime engineering.
Import Form	Refined cathodes, unwrought alloys, scrap, finished articles.	Electrical wiring, cable rod, specialized copper powders, and cathodes.
Top Regional Sources	Germany, Belgium, DRC, Chile, Poland, Congo.	Sweden, Germany, UK, Finland.

Reint Jelger: But you would agree to that the missiles this Norwegian company also makes, make more money in terms of revenue to the company overall

Google Gemini: Yes, absolutely. You are entirely correct.

When looking at the revenue breakdown of Kongsberg Gruppen, their missile systems and defense operations (housed under Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace) generate substantially more revenue than their subsea technology and unmanned vehicles.

A closer look at how the financial weight breaks down highlights why:

1. The Heavyweight: Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace (KDA)

• Revenue Share: KDA regularly accounts for roughly 50% of the entire group’s total revenue, and in recent years, defense segment revenues have surged past NOK 20 to 25 billion on their own as global defense spending has spiked.
• The Flagship Products: While they make remote weapon stations and command systems, their most famous and commercially lucrative big-ticket items are missile systems:
  • NASAMS (Norwegian Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile System): Developed in partnership with Raytheon, it is a primary air-defense shield used by numerous nations, including guarding the airspace around Washington D.C.
  • NSM (Naval Strike Missile) & JSM (Joint Strike Missile): Highly sought-after anti-ship and precision-strike cruise missiles adopted by the U.S. Navy, U.S. Marine Corps, F-35 operators, and multiple allied European/Asian navies.

2. Comparing the Scale

While HUGIN AUVs and subsea sensors are engineering marvels that command high price tags per unit, they are sold in smaller fleet quantities primarily to specialized survey companies, research institutes, and select navies.

In contrast, multi-million-dollar missile contracts, mass production of NASAMS batteries, and major international defense procurement orders drive the bulk of Kongsberg’s top-line growth and corporate profit expansion.

Reint Jelger: Is it possible to be a stockholder in Kongsberg Gruppen ASA Norway, and believe in world peace at the same time?

Gemini: Yes, it is entirely possible, and it represents a common stance within modern geopolitical ethics, investment, and international relations philosophy. Whether these two positions align depends on how an investor views the role of modern defense technology in maintaining global stability.

Here are the primary ways people reconcile holding stock in a company like Kongsberg Gruppen ASA with a strong belief in world peace:

1. The Principle of Deterrence (“Peace Through Strength”)

A foundational concept in international law and strategy—dating back to the Latin adage Si vis pacem, para bellum («If you want peace, prepare for war»)—is that war is best prevented when peace-loving democracies possess sufficient defense capabilities to deter potential aggressors.

• Defensive Arms: Systems produced by Kongsberg, such as the NASAMS air defense system, are specifically designed to protect civilian populations, cities, and critical infrastructure from incoming missile and drone strikes.
• Supporting Sovereignty: From this perspective, investing in defense manufacturers provides the technological foundation necessary to uphold national sovereignty, territorial integrity, and international order, thereby preventing conquest and major military conflict.

2. Defense as Strategic Stability & Subsea Security

Kongsberg’s portfolio extends beyond weaponry into environmental, navigational, and infrastructure security:

• Infrastructure Protection: As seen with their HUGIN AUVs, Kongsberg’s technology is used to monitor subsea internet cables, energy pipelines, and environmental ecosystems. Protecting vital energy and communications infrastructure prevents hybrid warfare and economic destabilization.
• Compliance & Regulation: Norway operates under some of the world’s strictest military export control frameworks. Kongsberg operates within tight democratic oversight, export regulations, and international treaties, which appeals to investors who distinguish between regulated state defense and unregulated arms trade.

3. Ethical Frameworks & Responsible Investing (ESG)

In recent years, institutional investors and ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) frameworks have actively debated the role of defense stocks:

• The Evolving ESG View: Historically, many ethical funds excluded defense stocks entirely. However, global events in recent years have led many European funds and ethicists to reclassify national defense as a necessary component of «Social» stability and democratic governance—arguing that peace and human rights cannot exist without security.
• Deterrence vs. Aggression: Investors often distinguish between companies that supply sovereign defense systems to allied democracies versus those involved in controversial weaponry or sales to oppressive regimes.

Alternative Ethical Perspectives

Conversely, strict pacifist or non-violent philosophical frameworks hold that:

• Any capital directed toward defense manufacturing inherently contributes to the global military-industrial complex.
• True world peace requires demilitarization and diplomatic resolution, rather than relying on armed deterrence.

Summary

Believing in world peace while holding shares in a defense and technology company like Kongsberg often comes down to viewing defensive technology not as a tool for waging war, but as a protective shield that deters conflict and preserves international stability.

Google Gemini: Yes, the Dutch did indeed invent the modern stock market, but the idea that the Danish are «doing it too» depends on whether you mean historical architecture, contemporary finance, or a clever nod to history.

Here is how the history and the connection play out:

1. The Dutch Roots (The First Stock Market)

The credit firmly goes to the Netherlands of the early 17th century. Following the establishment of the Vereenigde Oostindische Compagnie (VOC)—the Dutch East India Company—in 1602, the company issued transferable shares to the public to raise capital for its massive trading voyages.

Beurs van Berlage

To let investors buy and sell these shares easily after the initial issuance, a secondary market emerged in Amsterdam—centered first around the Nieuwe Brug and later formalized in exchanges like the Beurs van Hendrick de Keyser. This gave birth to the world’s first official, continuous, and liquid stock market.

2. The Danish Connection (Børsen and King Christian IV)

Denmark actually has a remarkably close chronological and architectural link to this history, which might be what prompts the thought about the Danish «doing it too»:

• The Inspiration: King Christian IV of Denmark (who ruled from 1588 to 1648) was heavily inspired by Dutch mercantile success and trade innovations.
• Building Børsen: Between 1619 and 1624, Christian IV commissioned the construction of Børsen (the Old Stock Exchange) in the heart of Copenhagen. Designed in the Dutch Renaissance style, it featured merchant stalls on the ground floor and served as a bustling commercial hub. Visit Copenhagen
• From Goods to Securities: While Børsen started primarily as a commodity exchange (trading everything from spices and textiles to fish and cheese), it gradually evolved into a marketplace for securities and bonds in the 19th century before modern electronic trading took over.

(Note: If you’ve heard news about Børsen recently, it tragically made international headlines in April 2024 when a massive fire destroyed a large portion of the historic 400-year-old building, though restoration efforts are currently underway).

Summary

The Dutch invented the concept of public joint-stock companies and continuous stock trading in 1602. Neighboring Denmark adopted the physical and institutional framework of a national exchange very shortly afterward under Christian IV—borrowing heavily from the Dutch blueprint to boost their own Nordic trade network.

Are you looking into how early modern corporate law and financial instruments evolved across the North Sea and the Baltic, or tracking a specific modern financial development between the two regions?

Reint Jelger: What is the address of the Danish Stockmarket, and how is it called, like Euronext too, or like Nasdaq?

The modern Danish stock market is named Nasdaq Copenhagen. Rather than following the Euronext model, it belongs to the Nasdaq family—specifically operating under Nasdaq Nordic, which links exchanges across Sweden, Finland, Denmark, and the Baltic states. Its modern corporate headquarters is located

If you are referring to the iconic 17th-century architectural masterpiece built by King Christian IV that originally housed the stock exchange for centuries, it is known historically as Børsen. Its physical location is:

• Address: Børsgade 4, 1215 København K, Denmark (situated right next to Christiansborg Palace on the island of Slotsholmen)

Like do the Danish people also have companies? Could you name twenty of them that apart from being listed, also use a cooperative structure

The short answer is yes, absolutely: Denmark is home to thousands of major commercial corporations, spanning sectors from global shipping and pharmaceuticals to green energy, robotics, and consumer goods.

However, when combining stock market listings with cooperative structures, there is a crucial legal and organizational distinction in Danish corporate law:

Legal Structure: Stock Exchange vs. Cooperative

• An Andelsselskab (a.m.b.a.) is a pure cooperative owned directly by its member-suppliers or customers (farmers, energy consumers, etc.). Because membership shares are private and non-transferable on public markets, a traditional cooperative itself cannot be directly listed on a stock exchange.
• To access public stock exchanges (like Nasdaq Copenhagen), Danish cooperatives often use a hybrid structure:
  1. The member-owned cooperative acts as a parent foundation or holding entity (a.m.b.a.).
  2. The commercial operating arm is structured as a joint-stock company (Aktieselskab / A/S), which lists shares publicly or issues public corporate bonds.
  3. Alternatively, a consumer cooperative bank or energy firm buys major equity stakes in public listed companies.

20 Notable Danish Companies (Cooperatives, Hybrid Structures & Listed Enterprises)

Below is a breakdown of 20 major Danish enterprises across three categories: pure farmer/consumer cooperatives (a.m.b.a.), listed hybrid cooperatives/banks, and major listed joint-stock corporations (A/S).

Category A: Co-ops with Publicly Traded Listed Equity or Public Bonds (Hybrids)

1. Danske Andelskassers Bank A/S (DABA) — Listed on Nasdaq Copenhagen. Originally formed by a network of local cooperative banks (andelskasser), operating today as a listed bank retaining strong cooperative principles. Investing.com
2. Ørsted A/S (ORSTED) — Listed on Nasdaq Copenhagen. A global offshore wind giant. A major shareholder in Ørsted is Andel a.m.b.a., Denmark’s largest regional cooperative energy company owned by over 400,000 member-consumers. Investing.com+ 1
3. Sydbank A/S (SYDB) — Listed on Nasdaq Copenhagen. A major regional bank created through mergers of regional cooperative and local trade banks. Investing.com
4. Jyske Bank A/S (JYSK) — Listed on Nasdaq Copenhagen. Denmark’s second-largest bank, formed by local cooperative banks and retaining democratic voting caps to prevent hostile corporate takeovers.
5. DLG Group (Dansk Landbrugs Grovvareselskab a.m.b.a.) — A farmer-owned agricultural cooperative that issues publicly traded corporate bonds on European capital markets to fund international expansion while keeping 100% member ownership.

Category B: Pure Cooperatives (a.m.b.a.) — Direct Member Ownership

6. Arla Foods a.m.b.a. — One of the world’s largest dairy cooperatives, owned by over 8,000 dairy farmers across Denmark, Sweden, the UK, Germany, and the Benelux.
7. Danish Crown A/S — Europe’s largest pork processing group, structured as a joint-stock company fully owned by its parent cooperative entity (Leverandørselskabet Danish Crown AmbA).
8. Coop Danmark A/S — The retail giant operating grocery chains across Denmark (Kvickly, SuperBrugsen, 365discount), owned by Coop amba (a cooperative of over 2 million Danish consumers).
9. Andel a.m.b.a. — Denmark’s leading energy and fiber-network cooperative, owned democratically by 400,000+ member-households in Zealand.
10. Lely / VikingGenetics f.m.b.a. — A farmer-owned cattle breeding cooperative leading agricultural genetics across the Nordic countries.

Category C: Major Publicly Listed Danish Companies (A/S on Nasdaq Copenhagen)

11. Novo Nordisk A/S (NOVOb) — Listed. A global pharmaceutical giant specializing in diabetes and weight-loss treatments (Ozempic/Wegovy). Controlled by the Novo Nordisk Foundation.
12. AP Møller – Mærsk A/S (MAERSKb) — Listed. One of the world’s largest container shipping and logistics conglomerates.
13. Vestas Wind Systems A/S (VWS) — Listed. A world leader in wind turbine manufacturing and green energy installation.
14. Carlsberg A/S (CARLb) — Listed. One of the world’s iconic brewing groups, controlled by the Carlsberg Foundation.
15. DSV A/S (DSV) — Listed. A global transport and logistics provider headquartered in Hedehusene.
16. Coloplast A/S (COLOb) — Listed. A global medical device company specializing in ostomy, urology, and wound care products.
17. Genmab A/S (GMAB) — Listed. A biotechnology company specializing in antibody therapeutics for cancer treatments.
18. Pandora A/S (PNDORA) — Listed. The international jewelry designer and manufacturer known worldwide for its customizable charm bracelets.
19. Demant A/S (DEMANT) — Listed. A hearing healthcare and diagnostic leader, majority-owned by the William Demant Foundation.
20. Rockwool A/S (ROCKb) — Listed. The global leader in stone wool insulation and building material solutions.

Google Gemini: 1. The Ten Commandments (Judeo-Christian)

The Ten Commandments (also known as the Decalogue) are foundational religious and moral laws found in the Old Testament / Hebrew Bible (primarily in Exodus 20:2–17 and Deuteronomy 5:6–21).

1. You shall have no other gods before Me.(Prohibits worshipping any deity other than God.)
2. You shall not make for yourself an idol or worship grave images.(Prohibits idolatry and representation of the Divine.)
3. You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain.(Prohibits disrespecting or swearing falsely by God’s name.)
4. Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy.(Commands resting and worship on the Sabbath day.)
5. Honor your father and your mother.(Commands respect and care for parents.)
6. You shall not murder.(Prohibits taking innocent human life.)
7. You shall not commit adultery.(Commands marital fidelity.)
8. You shall not steal.(Prohibits taking someone else’s property.)
9. You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.(Prohibits lying, perjury, and false accusation.)
10. You shall not covet.(Prohibits longing for your neighbor’s spouse, house, or possessions.)

2. Moral Commandments in Islam

Islam recognizes Moses (known as Musa in Arabic) as a major prophet of God (Allah) and honors the revelation given to him (Torah / Tawrat). However, Islam does not have a single formal list specifically called «The Ten Commandments» in the exact same manner.

Instead, the core moral and ethical directives corresponding to the Ten Commandments are prominently highlighted in the Quran, most notably in Surah Al-Isra (17:22–39) and Surah Al-An’am (6:151–153).

The 10 Principles from Surah Al-Isra (Quran 17:22–39)

Scholars frequently point to this passage as the Islamic counterpart to the Ten Commandments, as it outlines ten clear, fundamental moral injunctions:

1. Worship only God (Monotheism): Do not set up any other deity alongside Allah (Tawhid).
2. Be good to your parents: Treat parents with utmost respect, care, and kindness, especially in their old age.
3. Fulfill rights of family, the needy, and travelers: Be generous and help those in need, avoiding miserliness.
4. Do not be extravagant or wasteful: Spend responsibly and avoid squandering wealth.
5. Do not kill your children out of fear of poverty: Trust in God to provide for families.
6. Do not approach or commit adultery (Zina): Avoid all forms of illicit sexual relations and actions leading to them.
7. Do not kill any soul unjustly: Human life is sacred, and killing is strictly forbidden except by legal due process.
8. Protect the property of orphans: Safeguard and manage the property of orphans fairly until they reach maturity.
9. Keep your promises and fulfill covenants: Stand by your contracts, pledges, and words.
10. Be honest in trade and measurements / Walk humbly on Earth: Give full measure/weight in transactions, and do not walk upon the earth with arrogance or pride.

Comparison Summary

Principle	Judeo-Christian Tradition	Islamic Tradition (Quran)
Monotheism	No other gods before Me	Set up no deity besides God (17:22)
Idolatry	No graven images	Avoid idol worship and false gods (22:30)
Parents	Honor your father and mother	Show kindness to parents (17:23)
Life	You shall not murder	Do not kill any soul unjustly (17:33)
Adultery	You shall not commit adultery	Do not approach unlawful sexual relations (17:32)
Honesty	Do not bear false witness	Be honest in measurements and contracts (17:34–35)

Reint Jelger: Would atheists not have any commandments? There is something like deugdethiek in philosophy, right?

Because atheism is simply the absence of belief in deities, it is not a religion or a centralized belief system. As a result, there is no single authority, holy text, or set of universal «commandments» for atheists.

However, atheists do not live in a moral vacuum. Most base their ethics on secular philosophy, human reason, empathy, and social cooperation.

1. Secular Ethics & Virtue Ethics (Deugdenethiek)

You are completely right to bring up virtue ethics (deugdethiek in Dutch). It is one of the three major normative ethical frameworks in philosophy, alongside deontology (duty-based ethics) and consequentialism/utilitarianism (outcome-based ethics).

Unlike commandment-based systems (which focus on rules: «Thou shalt not…»), virtue ethics focuses on character:

• Core Question: Instead of asking «What rule should I follow?», virtue ethics asks «What kind of person should I be?»
• Origin: Rooted in ancient Greek philosophy—most notably Aristotle (Nicomachean Ethics)—and completely independent of monotheistic religion.
• How it Works: It emphasizes developing good character traits (virtues, or deugden) like courage, temperance, justice, honesty, and wisdom. According to Aristotle, living virtuously leads to Eudaimonia (human flourishing or well-being).
• Application for Secular/Atheist Thought: An atheist practicing virtue ethics doesn’t refrain from lying because God banned it, but because honesty is essential to personal integrity and building a trustworthy, flourishing society.

2. «Commandments» in Secular Humanism

Many non-religious people align with Secular Humanism, a worldview centered on human agency, reason, and compassion. While Secular Humanists explicitly reject the concept of divine «commandments,» several philosophers and groups have drafted alternative sets of principles to summarize secular morality.

The «Ten Commitments» (American Humanist Association)

Rather than rigid prohibitions, these are framed as positive aspirations:

1. Critical Thinking: Practice reason and scientific inquiry.
2. Ethical Development: Continually reflect on values and actions.
3. Peace and Social Justice: Work toward a fair and peaceful world.
4. Service: Help others and improve society.
5. Responsibility: Take responsibility for our actions and their impact.
6. Global Awareness: Recognize humanity’s interconnectedness.
7. Humility: Acknowledge our limitations and remain open to learning.
8. Environmental Stewardship: Protect the natural world.
9. Empathy: Practice compassion and treat others with dignity.
10. Altruism: Seek the well-being of all people.

Christopher Hitchens‘ «Ten Commandments»

The outspoken secular author Christopher Hitchens famously proposed a reworked, non-religious list of guidelines in 2010. Among his suggestions were:

• Do not swallow your moral convictions to satisfy a group.
• Do not condemn people for their sexual preferences.
• Do not treat children as property or indoctrinate them.
• Do not believe that your religion/ideology makes you superior to others.

3. How Other Secular Frameworks Handle Morality

Beyond virtue ethics, atheists often draw on other secular moral frameworks:

• The Golden Rule (Reciprocity): «Treat others as you would like to be treated.» This principle predates monotheism and appears in almost every human culture independently.
• Utilitarianism (Consequentialism): Formulated by thinkers like Jeremy Bentham and John Stuart Mill, this framework argues that the moral choice is the one that minimizes suffering and maximizes overall well-being for the greatest number of people.
• Social Contract Theory: Philosophers like Thomas Hobbes, John Locke, and Jean-Jacques Rousseau argued that moral rules and laws exist because humans collectively agree to them in order to live in peace and safety.

Key Difference: Rules vs. Reason

Religious «Commandments»	Secular Morality / Virtue Ethics
Source: Divine revelation or authority	Source: Human reason, empathy, and experience
Structure: Top-down rules (Thou shalt not)	Structure: Character cultivation (How to flourish)
Flexibility: Absolute & immutable	Flexibility: Context-dependent & open to refinement
Motivation: Obedience, divine grace, or afterlife	Motivation: Well-being of self, community, and society