29 Oct Euroports Partners with SynPet Technologies on €300 Million Circular Plastics Recycling Plant at the Port of Antwerp-Bruges

Euroports is proud to support SynPet Technologies in the development of their first commercial advanced plastics recycling plant at the Port of Antwerp-Bruges — a landmark €300 million investment that will convert 250,000 tonnes of mixed plastic waste per year into high-value circular products, including circular naphtha substitute (CNS®) and renewable natural gas.

This groundbreaking project positions the Port of Antwerp-Bruges as a global centre for circular plastic recycling and reinforces Euroports’ commitment to industrial innovation and the energy transition.

A New Circular Production Facility on a Euroports Terminal

The new SynPet facility will be built directly on one of Euroports’ terminals in the Port of Antwerp, with direct water and land access. Euroports will manage all on-site logistics operations, including:

  • Inbound flows of mixed plastic waste from across Europe

  • Internal logistics and terminal handling operations

  • Outbound distribution of circular end-products to petrochemical partners

This integrated approach ensures efficient, safe, and sustainable operations fully aligned with the port’s long-term decarbonisation roadmap. The facility is scheduled to become fully operational in the second half of 2028 and will also serve as an R&D centre to further optimise circular technologies.

Revolutionary Technology: SynPet’s Thermal Conversion Process (TCP®)

SynPet’s patented Thermal Conversion Process (TCP®) represents a breakthrough in chemical recycling. Unlike conventional pyrolysis or gasification methods, TCP® can process all types of carbon-containing waste, including mixed and contaminated plastics that cannot be recycled with existing technologies.

The process uses water under elevated pressure and temperature in combination with multi-stage thermal cracking — making it more energy-efficient and economically viable at industrial scale. The main output, Circular Naphtha Substitute (CNS®), can be directly blended by petrochemical companies into their existing feedstock for new plastics manufacturing, without the need for additional refining or upgrading.

Euroports’ Strategic Role and Market Position in Antwerp

« Headquartered in Antwerp, Euroports handles 35% of the Breakbulk and 16% of the Bulk volumes of the Port of Antwerp-Bruges — including 100% of export sugar — through our specialised terminals. We are proud to be part of this innovative project that will transform plastic waste into circular products.

Euroports will collaborate with SynPet to handle all on-site logistics for the plant, ensuring seamless and sustainable operations. This collaboration reflects our commitment to supporting industrial innovation and the transition toward a circular economy, fully aligned with the Port of Antwerp-Bruges’ strategic vision. »

— Frédéric Platini, CEO of Euroports

Key Facts About Euroports

  • 50+ terminals across Europe and Asia

  • Over 70 million tonnes of essential commodities handled annually

  • 1,000 employees (600 in terminals, 400 in MPL logistics arm)

  • Belgian group headquartered in Antwerp

  • +3% growth in breakbulk volumes year-over-year

Euroports’ Sustainability Commitment and ESG Roadmap

This partnership with SynPet aligns with Euroports’ broader sustainability strategy and the Port of Antwerp-Bruges’ climate neutrality objective by 2050:

  • -20% reduction in relative emissions achieved since 2021

  • -40% reduction target by 2030

  • Solar panel project launching in 2026 at Antwerp terminals for energy self-sufficiency

  • Strategic phase-out of coal — only 1 of 50 terminals remains dedicated to coal

  • Diversification into alternative energy: offshore wind turbines at Port-La-Nouvelle, lithium handling in Antwerp, waste recycling operations in Italy and Spain

Economic Impact: Job Creation and Regional Development

The project will create over 100 direct and indirect jobs and position Flanders as a European leader in the circular economy. The facility will use recovered energy sources from its own process streams, making it almost self-sufficient in energy consumption.

This investment demonstrates how collaboration between port operators, industry leaders, and technology innovators can deliver real, scalable environmental impact at Europe’s largest integrated port platform.

Strategic Partners

The project is backed by leading international Tier-1 partners:

  • SynPet Technologies — Belgium-based chemical recycling company with 13 years of R&D

  • Euroports — One of the world’s leading port infrastructure operators

  • Port of Antwerp-Bruges — Europe’s largest integrated port platform

  • Kolmar Group AG — Swiss petrochemical trading and manufacturing company (seed investor and marketing partner)

International Press Coverage

This strategic investment has received extensive coverage across European media, reflecting its importance for the circular economy and Belgium’s industrial leadership.

Belgium (Dutch-speaking media)

Belgium (French-speaking media)

About the Partners

About Euroports Euroports is one of the leading port infrastructure operators with a network of 50+ terminals across Europe and Asia, strategically located on key trade routes. Every year, Euroports handles over 70 million tonnes of essential commodities including bulk, breakbulk, containers and liquid cargo. Headquartered in Antwerp, Belgium, Euroports employs 1,000 professionals and is committed to supporting industrial innovation and the circular economy transition. https://www.euroports.com

About SynPet Technologies SynPet S.A. is an international cleantech company with R&D centres in Belgium and Turkey. Since 2012, the company has developed its patented Thermal Conversion Process (TCP®), which converts all carbon-containing waste — including hard-to-recycle plastics — into high-quality circular feedstocks. http://www.synpet.com

About Port of Antwerp-Bruges With an annual throughput of 278 million tonnes, Port of Antwerp-Bruges is a world port in the heart of Europe and a global pioneer in the circular transition. http://www.portofantwerpbruges.com