Join Royal Smit & Zoon’s R&D team in Amersfoort and contribute to the future of sustainable leather production! From our awareness about the importance of a responsible leather industry around the world, Royal Smit & Zoon is continuously searching for sustainable solutions for the entire leather value chain. In the leather industry, R&D plays a crucial role in this search through developing chemistry into products suitable for leather processing. At Royal Smit & Zoon R&D, we believe that we have a social responsibility to offer a good learn & work environment for trainees. Furthermore, we target to have internships designed such that these are not only beneficial for the individual intern, but also for Royal Smit & Zoon. Internship location The R&D department consists of 15 chemists/chemical engineers, and the trainee is anticipated to be fulfilling the internship as a member of the research team. For this particular project, the trainee is expected to work primarily from the R&D laboratory located on the Smit & Zoon production site in Amersfoort. Internship assignment The chemical industry is experiencing big changes while moving into circular economy by for example replacing petro-based ingredients with bio-based alternatives. Since 2016, Royal Smit & Zoon, a Dutch family business with its core business in providing chemical solutions to the leather industry, has made a lot of progress developing new generation bio-based chemicals for leather making supporting the company’s vision of “creating socially and environmentally friendly leather value chain, together”. Royal Smit & Zoon would like to further develop its patented technology in the area of sustainable chemistry. In this Internship assignment you will be working on developing new chemical prototypes based on sustainable ingredients that are either still in late stage of development or just entering the market. Background trainee HBO/University trainee (preferably Organic Chemistry); You are engaged to build knowledge and experience in the chemical industry; You have an open mindset and a can-do attitude; You are interested in working in an international operating family-owned company; You are driven to make the industry more sustainable; You have good communication skills; You are available from September 2025 for a minimum period of 5 months. What does Royal Smit & Zoon offer you Professional supervision providing valuable feedback on your performance; An internship allowance of €550,- for HBO students or €600,- for University students gross per month, based on 40 hours per week; Opportunity to develop your technical skills and interests; About Royal Smit & Zoon Acknowledged Royal Smit & Zoon is a dynamic, internationally operating company with an ambitious mission: to make the leather value chain more sustainable. Are we there yet? Not quite, but we are making great strides. We are proud to have been awarded the prestigious EcoVadis Platinum rating for the second consecutive year, a testament to our continuous innovation and commitment to making a positive impact on both the environment and society. Since our founding in 1821, we have grown into a seventh-generation family business, specializing in the production of high-quality, sustainable materials for leather processing. Tanneries around the world use our products to create premium leather for applications in the automotive industry, furniture upholstery, and high-end fashion. Our family roots remain deeply embedded in the company culture, where collaboration and genuine care for one another are at the heart of everything we do. At Royal Smit & Zoon, you’ll find the freedom to develop your skills and achieve your professional ambitions. We are a respected and highly valued player in the leather industry. Our headquarters and main production site are located in Weesp, with a second production facility in Amersfoort. Across the globe, 400+ dedicated colleagues work for Royal Smit & Zoon, including in the Netherlands, Italy, China, India, and Germany. With a rich heritage, a clear focus, and a long-term vision, Royal Smit & Zoon is shaping the future of sustainable leather. Join us in creating a more sustainable future! More information Do you want to jumpstart your chemical process development career and contribute to the chemical aspiration of Smit & Zoon as an intern? For more information about this internship or the Royal Smit & Zoon organization, please contact Mark Letter (HR & Recruitment Advisor) at +31 6 28 136 119 or [email protected] Introduction of candidates by Recruitment agencies is neither appreciated nor wanted. Our story Our mission Creating a socially and environmentally sustainable leather value chain Our mission is to create value for customers, shareholders, employees, and society by developing product and process innovations and raising awareness of the need for sustainable solutions in the entire leather value chain. With this mission we help society as a whole, by not only offering leather as a sustainable source for all kinds of products but also by taking care of our planet and of the next generations of people that will be living here. Apply Have you become enthusiastic? Send us your resume now and apply immediately. Apply Questions? Do you have any questions or would you like to know more about this position? Contact our Recruiter. Contact
