- The project requires nearly €1.5bn investment, with FEED starting in Q4 2024 and FID in 2025.
- Commercial operations are expected to begin in 2028.
- The plant will produce fossil-free PP and PE using green methanol.
- Vopak Belgium and Port of Antwerp-Bruges support the project.
Project Overview
Vioneo plans to establish a large-scale production facility for fossil-free plastics in Antwerp, Belgium. The initiative, backed by A.P. Moller Holding, aims to support the sustainability transition of the European chemicals industry by producing polypropylene (PP) and polyethylene (PE) using certified green methanol as feedstock.
Environmental Impact
The project addresses significant environmental challenges in the plastics industry, which currently relies heavily on fossil feedstock and has low recycling rates. Plastics contribute to 5% of global greenhouse gas emissions, a figure projected to rise to 15% by 2050. Vioneo's production method, powered by renewable electricity, aims to reduce these emissions significantly.
Production and Capacity
The first production plant will be located in Antwerp, Europe's largest integrated chemical cluster, within the Vopak Energy Park Antwerp. Once fully operational, the plant will produce approximately 300,000 tonnes of fossil-free plastics annually, reducing CO2 emissions by 1.5 million tons. The construction phase is expected to create significant job opportunities, with around 250 permanent positions once operational.
Investment and Timeline
The project requires an investment of nearly €1.5 billion and will proceed in phases. Front-End Engineering Design (FEED) is set to begin in Q4 2024, followed by the Final Investment Decision (FID) likely in 2025. Commercial operations are expected to commence in 2028.
Stakeholder Support
Success depends on broad stakeholder support, including regulatory frameworks, competitive conditions for fossil-free plastics, and customer commitment to long-term offtake agreements. Vioneo is in advanced discussions with major global brands across various industries to secure these agreements.
