Maersk parent to invest $1.7 bln in fossil-free plastics plant at Antwerp port

Koninklijke Vopak NV

30/09/2024 16:17

Sept 30 (Reuters) - A.P. Moller Holding, majority owner
of shipping giant Maersk  MAERSK.CO , plans an initial
investment of 1.5 billion euros ($1.7 billion) for the
construction of a fossil-free plastics production facility in
the Belgian port of Antwerp, it said on Monday.
    The plan comes as the Danish holding company announced the
founding of Vioneo, a venture seeking to transform plastics
production.
    "Vioneo intends to establish its first production complex in
Antwerp, Belgium, Europe's largest integrated chemical cluster.
The Antwerp plant will benefit from the region’s expertise in
the chemicals industry, strong export facilities and access to
renewable energy," A.P. Moller Holding said in a press release.
    The project represents a 1.5 billion euros initial
investment, with a Potential Final Decision (FID) in 2025, the
investment company said, adding that the success of the venture
remains dependent on stakeholders' support.
    The facility, set to be developed within Vopak Energy Park
Antwerp, will benefit from the support of Dutch tank storage
firm Vopak  VOPA.AS  and the Port of Antwerp-Bruges, the Belgian
port authority said in a press release.
    Vioneo's Antwerp plant is expected to start commercial
operations in 2028, with the creation of around 250 permanent
positions once the facility is fully operational, the Danish
holding firm said.
($1 = 0.8959 euros)

 (Reporting by Alban Kacher
Editing by Keith Weir)
 ((alban.kacher@thomsonreuters.com))