Chemicals
In the heart of the European oil and chemical industry, Antwerp and Zeebrugge play a crucial role. Antwerp in the middle of a unique chemical cluster and Zeebrugge as a hub for the storage and transshipment of LNG.
Integrated chemical cluster
Within the chemical industry, the port brings together production, tank storage & terminals, and distribution within a single, integrated ecosystem. The high degree of integration and diversity throughout the value chain of the chemical actors based here is unique in the world.
Antwerp is home to the largest integrated chemical cluster in Europe.Various global players in the chemical production sector are based in Antwerp, either logistically or with a production unit.
Local production
The port supports companies in the chemical industry with a highly integrated chemical production cluster. The close connection between production facilities, infrastructure, and logistics ensures efficient processes and economies of scale. This creates stable and competitive conditions for manufacturing companies in the chemical sector.
Strong chemical cluster drives efficient production
The refineries of TotalEnergies and ExxonMobil, and the three steam crackers in the port ensure the stable local availability of raw materials. In addition, several lubricant production sites are based in the port area.
The close cooperation between the companies, both in the chemical cluster at the production level and in the field of energy and services such as sustainable waste treatment, ensures extremely cost-efficient production.
Antwerp as a hub for polymers
Antwerp is the leading polymer hub in Europe for the production, handling and distribution of plastic pellets. Every year, millions of pellets find their way, via the port of Antwerp, to other hubs in Europe.
Various companies at the port of Antwerp have specialised in handling, storing and repackaging plastic grains.
In addition, they also offer quality control, stock management and distribution, or even specialised services such as blending or optical sorting, among other things.
The pellets are stored in bags on pallets, in octabins, in ‘big bags’ or as bulk goods in silos. There are more than 1,300 silos at the port, accounting for 680,000m³ in storage capacity, of which more than 430,000m³ is available to third parties.
Tank storage & terminals
Tank storage and terminals play a crucial role in the chemical supply chain. Specialized tank terminals support the safe and efficient storage of liquid chemical products and gases, with high safety and compliance standards. Integration with production and logistics ensures smooth flow within the chemical chain.
Zeebrugge as a hub for LNG
LNG (liquefied natural gas) is an important fuel in the transition to a low-carbon economy. It produces lower CO2 emissions, less particulate matter, and less nitrogen emissions.
Zeebrugge is one of the main access points for LNG supplies in Northwest Europe. The Fluxys LNG terminal was built for loading and unloading LNG from ships. The LNG is temporarily stored in buffer tanks with an annual capacity of 9 billion m³.
The LNG is transported via the distribution network, on LNG ships or LNG trucks. Zeebrugge is connected by pipeline to the Norwegian gas fields (via the Gassco Zeepipe) and the United Kingdom (via the Interconnector).
Global distribution
Antwerp is known worldwide as a European distribution hub for chemical products. The Port of Antwerp-Bruges is the perfect transshipment point for chemicals, with direct services to 1,300 ports in North and South America, and West Africa. It is also the ideal location for the European market.
Extensive pipeline network
Port of Antwerp-Bruges owns and controls 720 km of pipelines, 90% of which serve the chemical and petrochemical industry and its hinterland. Within the port area there are more than 1,000 km of pipelines, managed both by private companies and by Port of Antwerp-Bruges itself.
Multimodally connected
Thanks to a large number of short-sea, inland navigation, rail, and road connections, and an extensive pipeline network, the port enjoys excellent links with Europe's major chemical centres. In addition, the Port of Antwerp-Bruges offers a large number of deep-sea connections to ports around the world.
Brochures
Home to customised logistics
15/12/2025
Companies choose Port of Antwerp-Bruges as their European distribution centre for packaged chemicals, oils and gases because of five advantages. Discover them in this brochure.
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