The port of Antwerp is home to the second largest petrochemical cluster in the world. Economically vital, but the industry also has a heavy ecological footprint. That has to change and BlueApp will play an important role in this. With the support of Port of Antwerp-Bruges, city of Antwerp, province of Antwerp and essenscia, among others, the University of Antwerp wants to develop BlueApp into the reference centre of sustainable chemistry.

BlueApp, a project in which 20 million euros were invested, focuses on four areas. The reuse of water in industry is a first topic: scarcity and pollution are a problem. Another important area is carbon and nitrogen recycling. Here it will be investigated how can valuable substances be produced by the means of plasma applications and electrochemistry. Finally, BlueApp will also work on hydrogen storage and distribution, and air purification.

Today, several companies are already active in BlueApp. These include university spin-offs Oxylum and D-CRBN. In the autumn, the French company Fairbrics will also settle in BlueApp. This scale-up is working on a process to convert captured CO2 into polyester, which can then be used for clothing production. The innovation hub is expected to employ 100-150 people by 2024.