Ineos Receives Environmental Approval for Ethane Cracker Project in Port of Antwerp

The positive decision by Flemish Environment Minister Zuhal Demir ends uncertainty and kicks off the launch of future projects for the Port of Antwerp.

With the environmental license granted for the ONE project, the path has opened for the construction and operation of Europe’s most sustainable ethane cracker. This decision ultimately gives confidence to all INEOS employees in Belgium and relevant subcontractors, and gives hope to other companies in Flanders with similar projects. INEOS believes in the importance of local chemicals production in continental Europe and is therefore investing in renewing it. The licensing of Project ONE enables INEOS to further realize this vision.

Ineos was stripped of its environmental permit for the plant, which began construction in July last year, due to concerns about nitrogen emissions. The plant converts ethane into ethylene.

In a statement, the company said: In October 2023, INEOS Belgium submitted a request to amend its license application in response to the Licensing Disputes Commission’s ruling of 20 July, 2023, which cancels the license granted on 7 June, 2022.

The ONE project is an investment by INEOS in the Antwerp chemical sector to build an ethane cracker. The investment totals more than 4 billion euros and is the largest investment in the European chemical sector in more than 20 years. The state-of-the-art plant will produce ethylene, one of the most widely used basic chemicals globally and a raw material for making plastics.

In particular, this investment will pioneer energy efficiency with a carbon footprint less than half that of the best 10% of Europe's best steam crackers. It is expected to start operations by the end of 2026.