At the heart of worldwide petrochemical industry

Ideally situated, the Region of Wallonia is already home to the great and good of the petrochemical industry and SMEs. No surprise then that equipment manufacturers are pressing at the door to supply this ultramodern sector, well-versed in research and development, top-quality services and materials!

Chemical companies of all sizes are active in Wallonia. From international groups to SMEs, chemists have found there industrial estates adapted to their needs and value the presence of a large number of several enterprises within the sector.

It hardly needs reminding that in Europe, the Antwerp-Rotterdam zone, linked to the Ruhr basin, brings together 50% of Europe’s petrochemical industry. Let us take by way of example, to mention only the largest, the 4th international petroleum and gas group which operates not only in the sectors of refining/marketing and chemistry, but also has research centres in Belgium. Brussels houses both its worldwide petrochemical centre and its refining headquarters for northern Europe (Benelux, UK, Germany), while providing the services associated with representing a global industrial and commercial group in the capital of Europe. In chemistry, besides a production unit for fertilisers and marketing activities in connection with glues, adhesives and industrial rubber, this group has two of the largest petrochemical sites in Europe at Antwerp and Feluy. Those sites, that are neighbours or linked by pipelines, form one of the hubs of the group’s industrial integration in Europe.

Situated at Feluy in Hainault close to its polymers plant, the research centre of the group in turn shelters the “catalysis” competences for the petrochemical industry, basic chemistry and refining, as well as the development of new technologies and new polyolefines. It alone provides some 4,700 jobs in Belgium.

Wallonia, a breeding ground for network-enhanced skills

It is true that enterprises are encouraged by the potential of a work-force specialised in chemistry graduating from the region’s Polytechnic Faculties and high schools and are continuing their investments confidently. They are moreover supported in their efforts by various centres of excellence such as the Centre of Technological Resources in Chemistry (CERTECH), which conducts applied research in the fields of polymers, surface analysis, material emissions and air quality. The vicinity of many key chemical and petrochemical operators, on an industrial and scientific level (Feluy), therefore acts as an entry product. Finally the Region, concerned with encouraging the grouping together of competences within its borders, also facilitates the development of young enterprises in the chemical sector, by creating incubators or shared infrastructures to limit young enterprises’ initial investments.

Strict enforcement of safety and environmental standards respected

Active in all scientific, technical and industrial developments within the chemistry of petrol and its derivatives such as plastics, rubbers, alcohols and acids, the chemical industry has today achieved a rare degree of complexity. Apart from the wide range of chemical processes, ever more rigorous environmental standards must be observed and preoccupations linked to safety taken into account. Against a highly competitive background, customers are demanding perfect quality at a lower cost.

A varied offer to industry

Walloon equipment manufacturers are fully aware of those requirements. The industry is supported by enterprises of all sizes offering equally solutions to improve the efficiency of steam plants and X-ray equipment including portable and stationary devices and automated monitoring systems, 3D volumic and interactive computer-aided design and manufacturing (CADCAM) software for the steel construction sector, and so on.

We should also mention those enterprises that design and manufacture test benches for valves and gates, equipment for repairing industrial piping, honing and lapping machines.

Some in turn specialise in the sale, design, manufacture and maintenance of industrial fans. Others offer a wide range of air filters specially designed for gas turbines of industrial centrifugal pumps, weight and force sensors. Additionally, some have the distinction of ranking as leading European producers of special cements, known as drilling cements, for the petroleum industry.

Some service enterprises for their part devote themselves to analysing the different petroleum products: lubricants, fuels, antifreeze, brake fluid, solvents, base oils, vegetable oils, etc. Others yet have specialised in the study and implementation of industrial turnkey projects in the petrol and gas sector, the transport and storage of LNG & LPG in liquid or gaseous form, the rehabilitation of tanks, etc.

The picture is clear: even though Wallonia has no petrol, it possesses the whole range of skills required for all the aspects of its exploitation.