Seven companies are involved in the project, namely Air Liquide, BASF, Borealis, ExxonMobil, Ineos, TotalEnergies and Fluxys. A final investment decision is expected by the end of 2022, once the engineering studies have been finalized.

Jacques Vandermeiren, CEO Port of Antwerp said: “We are very keen to move on to this next phase of engineering studies as this project will contribute to the Flemish, Belgian and European climate goals and to the increased EU 2030 targets for emission reduction to at least 55%.”

In the meantime, Air Liquide, Fluxys and Pipelink – a subsidiary of Port of Antwerp – are mapping initial demand for the CO₂ infrastructure.

Also part of the engineering studies is a shared CO₂ liquefaction unit with interim storage and marine loading facilities for cross-border shipping. Port of Antwerp said the project would be “among the first and world’s largest multimodal open access CO₂ export facilities.”

Author: Elaine Burridge, Freelance Journalist