TripleW Expands to NextGen District: Pioneering Circular Chemistry in Port of Antwerp-Bruges

TripleW, a global leader in circular biochemistry technology, proudly announces the relocation of its new and improved demonstration facility to the NextGen District in the Port of Antwerp-Bruges. As the first company to establish operations in this hub for sustainable industry, TripleW sets a milestone for innovation, circularity, and the future of waste valorization.

With its groundbreaking process, TripleW transforms food waste into high-value lactic acid, a key feedstock for production of biodegradable plastics, and an ingredient for applications in the food, homecare, and cosmetics industries. This move underscores the company's commitment to scaling sustainable solutions and showcases the adaptability of its technology. The facility is co-financed by the Flemish Agency for Innovation & Entrepreneurship (VLAIO) and the European CBE-JU program under Horizon 2020, reinforcing its role as a leading disruptor in the bio-based economy.

To mark this milestone, TripleW is hosting the “Making Waste History” event on February 7, 2025, from 14:00 to 17:00 at the iconic Havenhuis in Antwerp. This event will bring together industry leaders, policymakers, and sustainability pioneers to discuss circular chemistry's role in shaping global industries' future. Several keynote speakers emphasized the importance of companies like TripleW for the future of the pPort of Antwerp-Bruges as an international innovation hub and for the industry in Europe as a whole.

TripleW has already made significant strides in Belgium’s innovation ecosystem, investing over €10M in its local operations and building a highly skilled team. In its next step, TripleW plans to expand its investment, transitioning from a 10-ton per day capacity to a commercial 300-ton per day flagship installation. With the transition to a commercial flagship facility, TripleW is set to revolutionize how industries manage waste, reduce emissions, and create sustainable products.

With support from Vandemoortele, Friesland Campina, Looop, Ecover and so many others, TripleW is building a circular supply chain that turns waste streams into valuable resources. The NextGen District, designed as a hub for circular economy leaders, provides the perfect environment to scale innovation and drive systemic change in industrial production.

Jacques Vandermeiren, CEO Port of Antwerp-Bruges: "With the opening of TripleW's demo plant at NextGen Demo, we are taking yet another significant step towards a sustainable future in the Port of Antwerp-Bruges. Our port and the NextGen District are ready to play a pioneering role in the new industry and chemistry sector. We are proud that an innovative and growing company like TripleW has chosen to further develop and expand its activities here. This demo plant is just the beginning—plans for a large-scale factory within the district show that TripleW is already working on the next phase of its growth trajectory."

Johan Klaps, port alderman for the city of Antwerp:"TripleW is the first player to establish itself in NextGen Demo, paving the way for a series of innovative experiments that tackle climate and nature conservation challenges with great dedication. We look forward with great interest to their scaling and refinement process."

Tal Shapira, CEO TripleW: “The Port of Antwerp-Bruges is not just a location for us—it is the foundation of our European operations and a key enabler of our vision,” said Tal Shapira, CEO of TripleW. “Our expansion here proves that industrial-scale sustainability is possible and that circular chemistry is a viable and profitable path forward.”

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​Astrid Saerens
​astrid@growth-inc.be
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Pictured from left to right: Johan Klaps, Tal Shapira, Ken Casier, ​Jacques Vandermeiren, Amir Oranim, ​ Imke Welzen.Jacques Vandermeiren