Antwerp hosts the second biggest chemical cluster in the world. Many big companies have a production facility in Antwerp. But this cluster is renewing itself. Sustainable chemistry is a major focuspoint in Antwerp.
During the visit the following projects will be visited or presented:
- Pre-incubation University of Antwerp: Blue_App
- Incubation & acceleration: BlueChem
- Testbed Port of Antwerp
- Locations: Blue Gate Antwerp & Churchill Industrial Zone (Port of Antwerp)
- Chemical cluster: company presentations
Full program
9h00 – 11h00 Umicore
Umicore is a global player in materials technology. A solid international group, but every inch a Belgian company, with four sites across the country. Umicore develops technologies and produces materials for high-grade solar cells, rechargeable batteries, LED apllications and catalytic converters. Umicore recycles precious metals from laptops, mobile phones and more.
In 2013 Umicore was ranked as the most sustainable company in the Global 100 Sustainable Corporations in the World Index.
Address: Adolf Greinerstraat 14, 2660 Antwerpen
11h30-12h00 Blue Gate Antwerp
Blue Gate Antwerp is Belgium’s first circular, eco-effective, waterbound business park. Until 2012, Blue Gate Antwerp was a heavily polluted brownfield as it served as a logistics hub for petrochemicals in the early 19the century. Today, the site is being remediated and redeveloped into a state of the art business park. Sustainable, innovative businesses in chemicals, cleantech and logistics will find the breeding ground for their future growth here.
The site is located next to the river Scheldt, close to the centre of Antwerp. Blue Gate Antwerp is a ground-breaking public-private partnership for businesses wanting to take control of the future, starting today. These goals will be achieved by resolutely choosing innovation.
Together with like-minded entrepreneurs, Blue Gate Antwerp activates circular flows at micro and macro levels. This results in cost efficiency and environmentally-friendly collaborations both on and off site.
Address: Naftaweg, 2020 Antwerpen
12h15-14h30 Lunch & network break at Circular South
Circular South is an Urban innovative action project in the New south district in Antwerp. It’s a real life citylab for sustainability where residents will live smarter together.
The aim is to encourage smarter use of energy and water, to produce less waste and to keep materials in the circular loop as long as possible. The key factor is the behavioural change of the citizens. To achieve this change both offline and online activities are organised and implemented. We use high-end technology like smart homes, blockchain based rewarding systems and behavioural nudging to create knowledge and incentives for this behavioural change. This multi-faceted approach of combining resident collaboration with high-end technology, makes Antwerp South a truly innovative neighbourhood.
Address: D’Herbouvillekaai 19, 2020 Antwerpen
15h15-16h00 Visit the Port House
The Antwerp Port House is an architectural jewel. This innovative building is the headquarters of the Antwerp Port Authority and accommodates over 500 employees.
At the Port House, the port of Antwerp’s past and future come together: the bottom part was once a fire station, on top a striking and contemporary superstructure in the shape of a diamond. A monumental design of the famous architect Zaha Hadid. A such, it is a metaphor for the Port of the 21st century: a port with a rich history that is ready to face the future head-on.
Address: Zaha Hadidplein 1, 2030 Antwerpen
16h15-17h45 Ecosystem sustainable chemistry
The city of Antwerp is know far and wide for its economic engines: it’s Europe’s second biggest port and hosts Europe’s largest petrochemical cluster. But what does ‘the next economy’ mean for Antwerp? The city of Antwerp has a clear vision: to build unique ecosystems in sustainable chemistry and digital innovation.
At the Port House we will present the ecosystem sustainable chemistry:
BlueApp is the pre-incubator of the University of Antwerp. It’s an open innovation and training hub for potential entrepreneurs and innovators from knowledge institutions, large and smaller industries. This pre-incubator enables the growth of business and technology ideas in sustainable chemistry to develop, validate and demonstrate technologies and their market readiness.
BlueChem is the incubator for sustainable chemistry. BlueChem helps startups and growth companies in the field of sustainable chemistry to accelerate, bring products to market faster and reach their full commercial potential as quickly as possible. The incubator focuses on four key areas in the field of sustainable chemistry: the valorisation of waste and side streams, renewable chemicals, advanced sustainable products and process optimisation. BlueChem is a unique public-private partnership between industry, government and research centres with the joint ambition to strengthen the future of sustainable chemistry in Antwerp.
Blue Gate Antwerp is Belgium’s first circular, eco-effective, waterbound business park. Until 2012, Blue Gate Antwerp was a heavily polluted brownfield as it served as a logistics hub for petrochemicals in the early 19the century. Today, the site is being remediated and redeveloped into a state of the art business park. Sustainable, innovative businesses in chemicals, cleantech and logistics will find the breeding ground for their future growth here.
The Port of Antwerp hosts Europe’s the largest integrated petrochemical cluster. The goals are clear: achieve a modal shift and facilitate the transition to a circular and low carbon economy.
Address: Zaha Hadidplein 1, 2030 Antwerpen
18h00 Reception at the Felix Pakhuis
Address: Godefriduskaai 30, 2000 Antwerpen