Visual WACK

Why (Why is it important?)

The chemicals and plastics sector is both ubiquitous and essential: it provides the building blocks for products in almost all value chains - from food and construction to textiles and technology. But that versatility comes at a price. Today, the sector is responsible for significant resource use, high carbon emissions and low use of recycled materials. 

The impact is significant: plastics account for about 6 percent of global petroleum consumption, and production processes are energy intensive. Moreover, material recovery in Flanders is still too limited. By 2022, Belgian plastics processors used barely 10 percent recyclate in their production.At the same time

, here also lies the key to change. Because precisely this sector haseverything to makea difference: strong companies, top knowledge, innovative players and an established international position. Flanders is not only a chemical hotspot, but also a fertile ground for circular innovation. 

Circular switching: from challenge to opportunity 

plastics

Circular switching: from challenge to opportunity 

The chemical plastics work agenda seeks & to accelerate that change. Out of ecological necessity and because there is great economic potential at stake: 

  • Jobs - The sector accounts for 250,000 direct and indirect jobs - a fifth of Belgian industrial employment.Turnover

  • - 75 billion euros, or 22% of total industrial turnover in Belgium.

  • Value added - 38.1% of Belgian industrial value added.Innovation strength

  • - Two thirds of all RD&investments in Belgian industry are in this sector.Investment

  • - 3.8 billion euros annually.Discover more key figures

here.By

focusing on circular design, high-quality recycling, safe chemistry and sustainable materials, we can strengthen our economy , reduce our climate impact and increase our resource security. This will only succeed if companies, knowledge institutions and policy makers join forces to take shared actions. 

Why now? 

Time is running out. To become a circular leader by 2030 as envisioned by the working agenda, we need to accelerate. The work agenda makes work of that acceleration with a clear strategy, concrete experiments and cooperation across sectors and national borders.Together we are

building a circular chemical and plastics sector. Not as an end point, but as a foundation for a climate-neutral future by 2050.