Project Management
Second BlueChem Incubator Building in the Port of Antwerp
BlueChem, the incubator for sustainable chemistry in Antwerp, has signed a concession agreement with Port of Antwerp-Bruges for an expansion project in the NextGen District, the testing ground for the circular economy. Sweco supports BlueChem as delegated builder in the execution of this project.
- Client
- BlueChem
- Location
- Antwerp
- Expertise
- Programming, Reporting, Planning Management, Cost Management, Risk Management, Contract Management
As the current incubator at Blue Gate is nearly full, BlueChem is planning an expansion: BlueChem XL. This new facility will be located at the NextGen site in the Port of Antwerp, where BlueChem is taking a concession on the land. BlueChem XL will be a modern building with approximately 2,200 m² of gross floor area, spread over two floors with laboratories, meeting, and networking spaces. An additional floor will house technical installations.
In consultation with BlueChem, Sweco has decided to organize the realization of BlueChem XL through a Design & Build contract. This contract is currently being tendered through a competitive procedure with negotiations.
The chemical sector is one of the pillars of Flemish industry and a cornerstone of our prosperity. Through a strong innovation ecosystem, we are actively working on solutions for a circular economy, which is essential for our strategic autonomy. Thanks to BlueChem and this new expansion project, we are attracting additional investments and making the chemical industry in Flanders more innovative, competitive, and productive. In challenging economic times, sustainable innovation is exactly what we need to secure our long-term prosperity.
Matthias Diependaele, Minister-President of the Flemish Government and Flemish Minister for Economy, Innovation and Industry
Doubling of Lab Capacity for Sustainable Chemistry
With an investment of over €6.8 million, BlueChem is taking a major step forward. The second incubator building will double the laboratory capacity, further strengthening the innovative ecosystem for sustainable chemistry in Europe’s largest chemical cluster.
The new site will be located in the NextGen District, on the former Opel site in the Port of Antwerp. This area is specially designed for groundbreaking projects and test installations in circular economy and sustainable chemistry – a perfect match for BlueChem’s expansion. The focus is again on laboratories, increasing capacity from 900 to 1,800 m². If everything goes according to plan, construction will start in May 2026 and the new location will open a year later, in May 2027.
From Startup to Industrial Success Story
Since May 2020, BlueChem has been the hotspot for sustainable chemistry at Blue Gate Antwerp, the innovative industrial zone along the Scheldt. The initiative is supported by essenscia, the City of Antwerp, POM Antwerp, and VITO, and offers a unique combination of high-tech laboratories and modern office space for startups, scale-ups, and larger companies. Entrepreneurs not only receive professional guidance from the BlueChem team but also become part of a vibrant ecosystem with leading chemical players and strategic partners.
The mission? To help promising startups in sustainable chemistry and the circular economy grow into industrial success stories. BlueChem does this by giving them access to specialized laboratories and tailored support. Think of innovations such as converting CO₂ into valuable raw materials, advanced technologies for recycling and water purification, or using food waste as a basis for new chemical processes and products.
