That first system is now operational in Austria, marking a major milestone. “It has been running since the end of 2025. We worked through the initial issues, and now it is performing as intended.” Thomas is currently working on the next step, including a second project and different scales, continuing to develop the technology further.
The story of Thomas Brouwer
Meet Thomas Brouwer, our Product Manager
Thomas Brouwer has been working at HoSt Group for five years, starting in the central R&D department with a focus on gas purification. One of his early projects was developing a carbon capture system to extract CO₂ from flue gases. What began as a concept on half a page gradually evolved into a full-scale commercial system. “At some point we had our first customer, and that’s when it became real. I became the technical lead and eventually product manager for carbon capture systems.”
Thomas joined HoSt Group after completing his PhD at the University of Twente. He had the option to stay in academia but chose a different path.
“In academia, you often move from one temporary position to another. I wanted more stability, but also work that leads to something tangible.” That shift from theory to practice was decisive. “Here, you work on real problems and see results quickly. In the R&D within a company, you can go from concept to something in the field within a short period. That makes a huge difference.”
A steep learning curve
At the HoSt Group, Thomas quickly moved beyond his technical background as a chemical engineer. “You’re not just working on the technology. You’re coordinating with mechanical, electrical and software engineers. You also deal with documentation, certification and all the other aspects that come with building a system.” That learning curve was intense but valuable. “You get a lot of responsibility from the start. Mistakes happen, but that’s part of the process. You solve them and learn from them. That’s typical for the HoSt Group.”
Innovation in motion
What makes the work interesting for Thomas is the speed of innovation. “The company is developing across multiple technologies at the same time. That keeps things dynamic. You’re constantly learning and adapting.” He also sees parallels with his academic background. “In science, you sometimes discover things by accident. That still happens here, but in a much more applied context. You are constantly improving and refining.”
A dynamic and growing organization
Thomas describes HoSt Group as a fast-growing and evolving organisation. “It’s a dynamic environment with a young mindset. Not necessarily in age, but in the way people think and work.” Growth also brings challenges. “You need to keep improving how the organisation works. It’s not always perfect, but that’s part of growing. Personally, I find that interesting. You never quite know where things will be in six months.”
Building more than technology
Outside his technical role, Thomas is also involved in building the company culture. He helped establish the employee association, is part of the working council and organizes activities such as cooking workshops and karting events. “It’s important to connect people, especially in a company that is growing quickly.”
Creating real impact
For Thomas, the biggest motivation is seeing his work come to life. “As an academic, you often stay in theory. Here, you see your own design as a real installation, operating in the field.” That connection between design and reality is what drives him. “From a 3D model to a working system capturing CO₂, that’s something special. It also gives you ideas for improvements. You keep learning from what you see in practice.”
Employees Testimonials
Hear directly from our dedicated employees who contribute to our success each day.
“I work on both individual sub-installations and complete systems. That keeps the work varied and technically interesting.”
You don't join our company for a job, you join for a journey. A journey that is sure to teach you, test you, and transform you.
“Here, you work on real problems and see results quickly. In the R&D within a company, you can go from concept to something in the field within a short period.
