‘Port of Antwerp-Bruges has the firm ambition to become a leading hub for recycling in the future.’

Jacques Vandermeiren: Port of Antwerp-Bruges is the port authority in charge of save nautical chain and land management within the port area. In April 2022, Port of Antwerp and the Port of Zeebrugge merged, since then Port of Antwerp-Bruges is one organisation with two platforms. We were once known as a port due to our historical roots, but today we’ve evolved into a multifaceted hub encompassing logistics, energy, industry, and maritime activities. Within this rol, our hub is the largest automotive port in the world and home of the largest chemical cluster in Europe. We aim to be the first port to reconcile profit, people and planet.

ICM: Which role has Port of Antwerp-Bruges within the automotive recycling community?  

Jacques Vandermeiren: Port of Antwerp-Bruges has the firm ambition to become a leading hub for recycling in the future. We continue to make land available for circular economy investments. We are home of a wide waste processing industry where most companies are related to plastics recycling, but some companies are also specifically involved in automotive recycling such as: High5, for glass recycling and Belgian Scrap Terminal and Galloo for car recycling. Plots of land in the port are becoming scarce so when we have the opportunity to tender a plot of land in the port, sustainability is one of the core criteria in the concession evaluations. Next Gen District is one of the examples of land development where we have chosen to divide a large piece of land into smaller pieces, specifically targeted on small industrial players or growing companies. These will be occupied by companies operating within circular economy, recycling or contributing to the energy transition. Currently we have 5 companies under construction at ‘Next-Gen’ District. Some automotive recycling related companies are Triple Helix (PET recycling) and Bolder Industries (end-of-live tires recycling). 

ICM: How does Port of Antwerp-Bruges prepare itself to meet its circular ambitions? 

Jacques Vandermeiren: There are multiple challenges ahead for our port, but not impossible to overcome. As a port authority we have 4 different roles: operator, landlord, regulator and community builder. That last role is important to overcome all challenges and the ambitions towards a circular hub. Most chemical companies in our port use fossil-based feedstock to produce monomers and polymers. We stimulate the companies to look for alternative energy sources and recycled feedstock. Together with the Flemish Institute for Technological Research (VITO) we examined the potential of the Antwerp chemical cluster to incorporate recyclates to replace fossil raw materials. VITO scrutinized the existing industrial system for the production and recycling of plastics in Belgium, as well as in neighboring countries. The study confirmed the strategic potential of Antwerp as circular hub. We continue to investigate the whole value chain and logistics supply chain to strengthen our proposition together with all stakeholders. 

Another project is the net-zero acceleration valley study together with Agoria Flanders where we investigate the set-up of an end-of-life battery hub in the port. Currently Recupbat already performs HEV battery recycling in our port. 

Together with stakeholders at the port platform, we also work on a set of rules related to the safety of battery storage in the warehouses in our port. 

The new European ELV regulation will also have an impact on operations in the port. We organise workshops with, among others, Febelauto and our automotive terminal operators to advocate for the necessary adaptation of the regulation towards the European Commission.   

ICM: You are hosting the plant tour at IARC 2025, what will our delegates visit?  

Jacques Vandermeiren: We are pleased to accommodate the IARC participants in Antwerp. The port visit starts with a guided tour and presentation in the Antwerp Port House. The participants will discuss future projects, challenges and business development. Afterwards we dive into the port and go to the Antwerp Euroterminal (AET), the largest multipurpose terminal in Europe and largest automotive terminal in Antwerp. Yves De Larivière (CEO, AET) and his team will guide you on their terminal and offer a networking lunch to continue the discussions.