Bolder Industries Announces Key Partnerships for First E.U. Facility in the Port of Antwerp
Bolder Industries, Inc., has announced partnerships with Antea Group, Cyclops, and OSQB as Bolder establishes its first E.U. facility at the NextGen District in the Port of Antwerp, Belgium. These partnerships ensure Bolder’s development plans remain on track for commercial operations to begin in 2024, significantly increasing the volume of sustainable BolderBlack® and BolderOil™ available to their customers in Europe and beyond.
The Antea Group was instrumental in helping Bolder identify its E.U. location and will support permitting moving forward. The partnership considered multiple European locations and selected the Port of Antwerp for its dedication to sustainability, partnerships with other circular organisations, access to canals and rail systems, and proximity to Bolder’s growing client roster.
“Bolder made a smart move by developing in this specific location near the largest petrochemical cluster in Europe – the multimodal transport possibilities and the site’s focus on circular economy make it the ideal choice,” said Jan Parys, General Manager of Antea Group Belgium. “We are pleased to guide Bolder Industries through the entire permitting process. It is yet another step towards building a sustainably growing port and a liveable city of Antwerp.”
Bolder Industries will use the experience of its successful US plant in Missouri and its new plant in Terre haute, Indiana, as the basis for developing the Antwerp site.
Phase 1 of Bolder’s Antwerp location will house three reactors on site, which will process approximately 3 million end-of-life tyres annually and dramatically increase production volumes for BolderBlack® and BolderOil™. Additionally, this location will bolster Bolder Industries’ environmental savings by using 98% less CO2 and 85% less water and energy than traditional virgin carbon black production methods while utilising 98% of every scrap tire.
Cyclops was chosen as Bolder’s project management partner for their experience with industrial recycling facilities and commitment to a transition towards a climate-neutral society.
“Our partnership with Bolder Industries, one of the first two companies to build on the Antwerp NextGen District, allows us to make a difference as a company and work towards a better future,” said Cyclops CEO Ruth Van Hellemont.
Bolder selected OSQB for the build-out of the site due to their ability to deliver architecture, structural engineering, and technical engineering disciplines under one roof.
“The road to sustainable tyres is only possible if we move towards full recycling of tyre waste. We are excited to partner with Bolder in building the new recycling plant for Antwerp where we will apply BolderBlack-made rubber and plastics materials in the architectural concept, showcasing the product’s versatility”, said Tanguy Oosterlynck, Founder of OSQB Architects.
“Antea Group, OSQB, and Cyclops are the ideal partners to bring Bolder Industries Belgium to fruition. They’re as ambitious and committed to solving environmental issues as we are. They have proven success in building projects similar to ours—smoothly and effectively,” said Wim van Den Broeck, Director of Project Development for Bolder Industries. van Den Broeck, a native of Antwerp, joined the Bolder team earlier in 2022, bringing experience in plastics pyrolysis and deep expertise in local development and logistics from his work on infrastructure projects in the city of Antwerp and industrial projects in the Port of Antwerp.
“The Bolder Industries Antwerp location is changing the game for our international clients. Once operational, we can more easily serve our customers and expand our delivery to major markets, including EU-based tyre manufacturers,” said Bolder Industries Founder and CEO Tony Wibbeler. “We’re eager to broaden our customers’ sustainable impact, grow our team internationally, and establish ourselves as a global circular solutions provider.”
