85% of liquid bulk is transported by water
Within the chemical industry, the storage of liquid raw materials and products is often outsourced to companies specialising in the storage and transport of liquid bulk. These service providers are grouped into a business association called BATO, the Belgian Association of Tank Storage Businesses, part of essenscia. Their strategic location within the port area means […]
Soudal doubles production capacity in Turnhout with new ‘factory of the future’
Soudal, an expert in chemical building materials, is building a new factory for adhesives and mastics that will double the current production capacity in Turnhout. The advanced production facility – with an investment of 40 million euros – will cover more than 20,000 m² and will operate with a fully automatic process. There is no […]
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.
Climate innovation at chemical company LANXESS: new installation reduces nitrous oxide and nitrogen emissions
The specialty chemicals company LANXESS is taking a step towards climate neutrality in the port of Antwerp. It has invested 10 million euros in a special installation to significantly reduce the emissions of nitrous oxide and nitrogen at the production site in Lillo. In an initial phase, the company achieves an annual reduction in greenhouse […]
Vynova is the first world-wide to produce caustic soda with an ISCC PLUS label
The Belgian branch of chemical company Vynova in Tessenderlo can lay claim to a world first. The company has launched caustic soda or sodium hydroxide produced entirely with the use of renewable energy. Vynova was the first company in the world to receive the international sustainability certification ISCC PLUS for this. Sodium hydroxide is used, […]
Energy4Climate: unique energy and climate project for more energy efficiency and better climate performance
Helping SMEs and companies in the chemical and life sciences to increase their energy efficiency and improve their climate performance. That is the goal of Energy4Climate, a unique energy and climate project set up by essenscia with the support of the Flemish Energy and Climate Agency. Thirty companies with a lower energy intensity receive tailor-made […]
Höganäs inaugurated a 30,000 m2 solar park
Höganäs, global specialist in metal powders, primarily for the automotive industry, inaugurated a 5.961 MW solar park at its Ath site in September 2021. The 30,000 m2 of photovoltaic panels will meet 20% of the site’s needs, equating to an annual saving of 961.450 tonnes of CO2. This project makes a good contribution to the Swedish […]
Avery Dennison greens production process with largest industrial solar mirror park in Europe
Adhesive manufacturer Avery Dennison Performance Tapes is planning the largest industrial installation for solar parabolas in Europe in Turnhout. In collaboration with the Belgian energy company Azteq, the solar mirror park of almost 6,000 m² will provide renewable solar energy for the drying ovens in the production process. Previously, sector companies ADPO in Antwerp and […]
Air Liquide starts up next-generation hydrogen unit at Covestro
Air Liquide has commissioned a hydrogen factory of the latest generation at chemical company Covestro in the port of Antwerp, with an investment of 82 million euros. Hydrogen production is done with better energy efficiency and lower CO2 emissions. What makes this so-called SMR-X plant so special — compared to a traditional SMR (Steam Methane […]
Residual heat from Agfa-Gevaert heats 300 houses in new residential area
With the residual heat from industrial processes, Agfa-Gevaert will provide heating and hot water to some 300 homes in a nearby residential area. The heating network Warmte Verzilverd (‘Heat Silver Plated’) at the Minerve site in Edegem and Mortsel is a first for the province of Antwerp. It is the first heat network to use […]