BASF Antwerp builds pilot installation to produce absorbent material in nappies more sustainably

Have you heard of super-absorbent polymers or SAP for short? They ensure dry bottoms in baby nappies, among other things. BASF Antwerp is investing 25 million euros in a high-tech pilot installation to make SAP production more sustainable and digital. An investment in the future and an extra asset for the chemicals sector in Flanders. […]
Digitalisation of the vaccine development and production process at GSK

The pharmaceutical company GSK collaborates with Siemens and ATOS, two of the world’s leading expert companies in digital transformation and technology, to digitalise its vaccine development and production process. This innovative concept named digital twin, which combines the real and digital worlds in a closed loop. A key benefit will be much shorter development times for […]
1 million litres of disinfectant gel thanks to successful cooperation between government and industry

With an additional production capacity of more than one million litres of hydroalcoholic gel, chemical, pharmaceutical and food companies, in close cooperation with the federal government, solved the impending shortage of hand disinfectant gel that existed at the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic. Thanks to the rapid approval of temporary authorisations and the increase in […]
DETIC takes part in the Green Deal Anders Verpakt to reduce the environmental impact of packaging

The Green Deal Anders Verpakt is an agreement initiated by OVAM, DETIC, COMEOS, FEVIA and VIL at the initiative of the Flemish government. This multisector agreement focuses on preventing and reusing packaging. The initiative aims to encourage organisations, companies and other stakeholders to seek alternatives to reduce the environmental impact of packaging. The Green Deal […]
Pack it better promotes ecodesign in packaging

The industry has made significant commitments to reduce the impact of packaging and increase recyclability. In response to these commitments, Comeos, Fevia and DETIC, together with Fost Plus and Valipac, have set up the platform www.packitbetter.be. Pack It Better promotes ecodesign in packaging by bringing companies and centres of expertise into contact with one another. […]
Takeda Lessines saves 600 million litres of water per year

In March 2021, the pharmaceutical company Takeda inaugurated a new wastewater recycling facility in Lessines. This investment will result in a 90% reduction in the consumption of drinking water at the site. This represents 600,000 cubic metres of water per year, equal to the average amount of drinking water consumed by almost 18,000 people. After treatment, the […]
Portfolio Sustainability Assessment : innovation towards Safe and Sustainable by Design product applications

Already in 2018, under the umbrella of the World Business Council on Sustainable Development, thirteen pioneering chemical companies developed the Portfolio Sustainability Assessments methodology to demonstrate how chemical companies – on top of regulatory requirements – can proactively screen and steer their chemical innovation, products and services portfolio’s towards safer and enhanced environmental and sustainability […]
Bridgestone, ARLANXEO and Solvay launch stronger and more environmentally friendly types of tyres

Tyre manufacturer Bridgestone, rubber specialist ARLANXEO and chemical company Solvay have launched a new type of tyre with Techsyn with improved environmental performance. Techsyn combines chemically optimised synthetic rubber with customised silica. This ensures that the tyres wear out less quickly and last up to 30% longer, which reduces the consumption of raw materials in […]
Calidris Bio transforms CO2 and renewable energy into a source of protein

Fermentation technology is used, along with renewable energy and CO2 capture, to produce a good quality, nutritious source of protein with a low ecological footprint. With this innovation, Calidris Bio, which works out of the incubator for sustainable chemistry, BlueChem, is developing an alternative to environmentally damaging products such as soya or fish meal for […]
Creaflow makes molecules with light

Can you make molecules with light and simultaneously use less energy and raw materials? Creaflow’s unique reactor is proving it can be done. This start-up, working out of the incubator for sustainable chemistry BlueChem, is thus helping to create a sustainable industry. Creaflow was also one of the nominees for the essenscia Innovation Award.