Chemical industry invests billions at the Port of Antwerp
Continued growth at the Port of Antwerp reflects the substantial investments made by private companies at the port, by Antwerp Port Authority – in collaboration with the various Flemish and Belgian governments – and by various trade associations.
Ineos Oxide recently opened its EUR 100 million ethylene terminal at the Port of Antwerp, the largest in Europe and the second largest in the world. This plant is connected to the ARG network, the ethylene pipeline that connects the Belgian, Dutch and German chemical industries.
Evonik, the German speciality chemicals group, is investing in a major new production facility at the Port of Antwerp. Due to open in 2015, this is Evonik’s first plant to produce AQUAVI® Met-Met, a nutrient added to the feed used in shrimp aquacultures. The largest markets for this product are Asia (particularly China and Thailand), south and central America.
Noord Natie Terminals offers 350,000m3 of bulk liquids capacity at the Port of Antwerp, plus value added services such as blending, drumming and packaging. Continuing its significant investment of recent years, Noord Natie Terminals is adding a 6-hectare extension, 2 new berths, 90,000m3 of tank storage, and dredging berths to 14 metres.
German logistics group Talke recently invested EUR 1.6 million in a new facility for filling dangerous chemicals in drums. Talke can now fill up to 80,000 tonnes at its Port of Antwerp facility annually.
Also at Antwerp: Praxair, a major producer of industrial gases, is investing in a second air separation unit and an extension of its pipeline; Air Liquide is investing in the production of carbon monoxide for the MDI factory of BASF; Total is modernising its refinery and petrochemical platform; and ExxonMobil is evaluating a facility upgrade.
Other companies that have recently announced investments in Antwerp include Lanxess and FRX Polymers.
Antwerp Port Authority is investing heavily in new infrastructure and facilities. Work is well advanced on the impressive Deurganck dock lock – the world’s biggest lock – which is due to become operational in 2016. This dock will give seagoing vessels easy access to dock facilities on the left bank.
Among other projects underway and planned at the port, in 2014 a second rail tunnel is due to open between the left and right banks of the River Scheldt, increasing rail capacity and flexibility.
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