Working together at BlueChem

Official launch

BlueChem PORT: building the next chapter of ChemTech in Antwerp

October 2026

Rob Smeets, Matthias Diependaele, Johan Klaps, Isabel Vermeulen, Saartje Swinnen, Nils Wuytens, Miranda Coppens, Tine Schaerlaekens, Barbara Veranneman

On 6 October 2026, we celebrated an important milestone for BlueChem: the official launch of BlueChem PORT. Together with Flemish Minister-President Matthias Diependaele, Antwerp Vice-Mayor Johan Klaps, our partners and the wider ChemTech ecosystem, we marked the start of construction of our second location at the NextGen District of Port of Antwerp-Bruges. More than the start of a new building, this milestone represents the next step in our ambition to help sustainable chemistry innovations grow into industrial solutions.

From BASE to PORT: supporting every step of the journey

Since opening our doors in 2020, BlueChem has supported more than 25 start-ups and scale-ups in turning promising technologies into growing businesses. With BlueChem PORT, we are building on that experience and taking our support one step further.

While BlueChem BASE, located at Blue Gate Antwerp, helps researchers and early-stage start-ups take their first steps from research towards entrepreneurship, BlueChem PORT focuses on the next challenge: moving from entrepreneurship towards industrialisation.

Located at the heart of Antwerp's chemical cluster, BlueChem PORT will bring start-ups and scale-ups closer to industrial expertise, potential customers, investors and partners. Together with BlueApp and NextGen Demo, we are strengthening an ecosystem where companies can develop and validate their technology, business model and market opportunities, all the way towards industrial application.
 

A symbolic first stone, delivered by drone
 

Of course, a milestone like this called for a special groundbreaking ceremony. And since our celebration took place at the iconic Port House, while construction is happening at NextGen District, we decided to give the traditional groundbreaking ceremony a BlueChem twist.

Instead of placing the first stone ourselves, we sent it on a journey across the Port of Antwerp by drone!
The flight was carried out by ADLC, the world’s first company to transport petrochemical samples classified as dangerous goods by drone. While guests followed the take-off from the Port House, a live feed allowed everyone to watch the stone make its way towards the construction site at NextGen District.

And this wasn't just any symbolic stone. The stone will actually become part of the façade of BlueChem PORT. To make it even more special, our start-up Carboganic printed the BlueChem logo directly onto the stone using its innovative printing technology. A small but meaningful example of what BlueChem is all about: bringing innovation, entrepreneurship and industry together.

Growing through collaboration

The event brought together the people and organisations helping shape the future of sustainable chemistry in Antwerp.
We were pleased to welcome Saartje Swinnen, Chair of BlueChem's Board of Directors, Isabel Vermeulen, General Manager of BlueChem, Johan Klaps, Antwerp Vice-Mayor for Port and Economy, Rob Smeets, CEO of Port of Antwerp-Bruges, and Matthias Diependaele, Flemish Minister-President. We also welcomed Bolder Industries, who shared their ambitions for scaling up in Antwerp and how BlueChem PORT fits into their plans for future growth. Their contributions reinforced a common message: innovation creates lasting value when research, entrepreneurship and industry work together to bring new technologies into the real economy. With BlueChem PORT, we look forward to strengthening those connections and helping more promising ChemTech companies take their next steps towards industrialisation.

A big thank you to everyone who joined us for this special milestone, and to all our partners who are helping us build the next chapter of BlueChem.

The first stone has landed. Now, let's build the future of sustainable chemistry together!
 

Watch the landing here: