Port of Antwerp-Bruges — 2024-09-23
Members Corner
Port of Antwerp-Bruges and the Flemish Institute for Technological Research (VITO) investigated the potential of the Antwerp chemical cluster for the uptake of recyclate as a replacement for fossil raw materials. They analysed how the use of recycled and renewable raw materials can be increased, with the aim of anchoring the industrial cluster in Antwerp in a sustainable, resilient and future-proof way as a vital part of European industry.
Commissioned by the Port of Antwerp-Bruges, VITO studied the concrete possibilities to replace the fossil raw materials that form the feedstock for the Antwerp chemical cluster as much as possible with either bio-based or recycled sources of carbon. In order to better understand this potential, VITO examined the existing industrial system for the production and recycling of plastics in Belgium, but also in neighbouring countries.
From mechanical to chemical recycling
The analysis shows that plastic recycling in Belgium currently takes place almost exclusively via mechanical recycling. Although Belgium is the European champion for plastic recycling according to a recent study by Plastics Europe – with a recycling rate of 39% – a significant portion of plastic waste is still incinerated. However, only a limited portion of plastic waste can be processed into recycled products via mechanical recycling. The chemical industry offers solutions for these limitations of mechanical recycling, both for processing it into new raw materials and for using these raw materials as feedstock for their production processes.
Antwerp Model
In its study, VITO proposes the Antwerp Model that aims for defossilization, whereby fossil carbon sources are replaced by renewable sources. As home to the largest integrated chemical cluster in Europe and the most important hub for the production, treatment and distribution of plastic pellets - 4 million tons of polymers are produced in Antwerp annually - the port is the ideal location to develop a circular hub and take on a pioneering role.
Expansion of circular hub
The first steps to develop this circular hub and bring the entire chain together were taken on 18 September 2024 during an interactive workshop in the Antwerp Port House. VITO presented the results of the study there, including the Antwerp Model. After which, during a panel discussion with sector associations essenscia PolyMatters and Cefic, the challenges in terms of policy on the one hand and the strengths such as the presence of the chemical cluster on the other hand were discussed in more detail. All parties mainly called on companies to work together to form a close-knit circular cluster.
All partners strongly believe that despite all the challenges, chemical recycling in Belgium is promising due to the presence of significant polymer production, the high degree of expertise in waste processing and the excellent connections with other clusters and the rest of the world, with the port of Antwerp as the ideal circular hub.
"The Port of Antwerp-Bruges plays a crucial role in the transition to a more sustainable economy," says Jacques Vandermeiren, CEO Port of Antwerp-Bruges. "By working together with VITO and other partners, we can strengthen our port as a centre for innovation and sustainability, which is not only good for the environment but also for the economy and employment in our region."
“For the future of the Antwerp chemical cluster, collaboration between industry, government and research organisations is essential to accelerate the transition to a circular economy and defossilisation,” says Inge Neven, CEO of VITO . “VITO plans to further strengthen its support for the chemical sector with targeted technological innovations and the provision of test facilities and pilot installations. However, the demand for chemically recycled raw materials is still lagging behind due to higher costs compared to primary raw materials. To address this and guarantee a competitive scale, regulations and supporting measures are essential.”