Synpet moves towards a final investment decision

A number of circular economy projects in Port of Antwerp-Bruges have recently received key permits.

This brings the port one step closer to its goal of becoming climate neutral by 2050.

Synpet is investing EUR 300 million in an innovative recycling plant at Port of Antwerp-Bruges. The aim is to recycle around 250,000 tonnes of mixed plastic waste each year. Waste that cannot currently be recycled and often ends up in incinerators. Using patented technology, Synpet aims to recycle waste into a circular substitute for naphtha and natural gas.

Synpet received the environmental and building permits for the construction of the facility in early June 2026.This will make it one of the largest state-of-the-art recycling plants currently under development. This important milestone enables the company to move towards a final investment decision.

NextGen District is the hub for circular economy companies in Port of Antwerp-Bruges. TripleW already operates a demonstration facility in the NextGen Demo area. The company produces lactic acid from food waste. Other companies use it to manufacture a wide range of products, such as hair gel and toilet cleaners. TripleW has now been granted the environmental permit for the construction of a commercial lactic acid plant in NextGen District. It will be Europe's first industrial-scale plant to convert food waste into circular lactic acid. The facility is expected to become operational in the first half of 2029. It will then process up to 100,000 tonnes of mixed food waste each year and create more than 35 direct jobs.

Bolder Industries will also be able to start construction at NextGen District. The American company has been granted final approval for its first European production site. Its focus is on a waste stream that is often overlooked: discarded car tyres. Through a continuous thermal pyrolysis process, Bolder recovers up to 98% of the material from each tyre.

Bolder will expand the facility in two phases to an annual processing capacity of 86,000 tonnes. This will enable the company to process around 6 million discarded tyres each year. Phase 1 alone will create more than 50 jobs in the region. The company can now proceed with the selection of a contractor.