Ineos builds the largest ethylene plant in Europe

Ineos announces the construction of Europe's largest eco-responsible plant for the production of ethylene in Antwerp, with an investment of 3.5 billion euros. The site will be equipped to run on hydrogen and will be able to accommodate a carbon capture unit. An ambitious project that will contribute to the growth of the global ethylene market.

Share:

British chemical company Ineos recently announced that it has secured €3.5 billion in financing for the construction of a petrochemical plant in Antwerp, Belgium. This site will produce ethylene, one of the most widely used commodity chemicals in the world. The group said the project would be “the largest investment in the European chemical sector in a generation” and would have “the lowest carbon footprint” of any equivalent facility on the continent.

 

The Ineos project in Belgium

Ineos, headed by British billionaire Jim Ratcliffe, had announced plans to build the plant in 2019. At the time, the cost was estimated at €3 billion, but the company has since clarified that the total investment will be around €4 billion. The new plant, which will produce ethylene, will eventually employ 450 people and is scheduled to open in 2026.

The Antwerp site will be “Ineos’ most environmentally friendly plant”, according to the company. It will be able to run entirely on hydrogen and will be equipped to install a carbon capture unit and future electric furnaces.

 

Financing from debt and loans

3.5 billion in financing was provided mainly by debt from commercial banks and loans from export credit agencies, notably UK Export Finance (UKEF).

 

Ethylene, an essential chemical

Ethylene is used in various fields such as insulation, plastics for the health and food hygiene sector, renewable energy technologies and in light vehicles. The global ethylene market is expected to grow significantly over the next few years, which makes the Ineos project particularly promising.

  • Populaires ​
TotalEnergies sells 50% of its renewable assets in Portugal for €178.5mn
Taipower measures grid inertia in real-time to secure renewable interconnection
Envision inaugurates the world’s largest green ammonia plant in China
EDF postpones restart of Flamanville EPR to August 13
Ardian completes Akuo takeover and installs Bruno Bensasson at the helm
80 Mile increases its stake in Hydrogen Valley to 49% and signs an agreement with Tecnoparco
80 Mile announces that it has increased its stake in Hydrogen Valley to 49% and signed a memorandum of understanding with Tecnoparco for the supply of 40,000 tonnes of biofuel per year, aiming to reduce palm oil dependency.
Green ammonia: South Africa moves to execution phase of its largest project
The Hive Coega project, South Africa’s most ambitious green ammonia initiative, enters its operational phase with the release of tenders for essential infrastructure, marking a major step forward for the country in renewable energy production.
France: Court Approves Sale of McPhy to John Cockerill Hydrogen
The Belfort commercial court has approved the sale of McPhy to John Cockerill Hydrogen, a €600,000 transaction involving majority retention of staff and an industrial project partially funded by European subsidies.
Fresno joins First Public Hydrogen to develop municipal energy capacities
The City of Fresno becomes the latest member of First Public Hydrogen, the first US public authority dedicated to hydrogen development, thus strengthening its energy infrastructure and municipal bus fleet.
Natural hydrogen: France on the verge of redefining its national and European energy strategy
The official confirmation in June 2025 by the French government regarding the detection of significant natural hydrogen reserves in Lorraine, the Pyrenees, and Aquitaine could represent a major strategic turning point for national and European energy sovereignty. However, the technical, economic, and environmental challenges associated with its exploitation might slow its large-scale implementation.
Stanwell withdraws from CQ-H2 hydrogen project in Australia, impact on the sector
Stanwell announces the end of its participation in the Central Queensland Hydrogen Project, a major international hydrogen production initiative, raising questions about the sector's outlook in the region.
Lhyfe obtains the first European RFNBO certification for green hydrogen in France
Lhyfe becomes the first French producer to obtain European RFNBO certification, delivering the first batches of certified hydrogen and opening access to new support mechanisms for the industrial sector.
Finland: TES and CPC launch 500 MW e-NG project
Tree Energy Solutions and CPC Finland will produce 125,000 tonnes annually of e-NG at the Finnish port of Rauma, targeting European and international markets with a significant investment.
EU funds €3.5mn cross-border hydrogen infrastructure project
The European Commission grants €3.5mn to support preparatory work for a Franco-German cross-border network aimed at transporting hydrogen between the Grand Est region and Baden-Württemberg starting in 2029.
McPhy Energy faces judicial liquidation after reviewing submitted offers
French company McPhy Energy awaits a court decision regarding offers submitted during its judicial reorganization, paving the way for probable liquidation and potential delisting of its shares.
HyVera launches hydrogen on demand and plans two production sites
The majority-Indigenous-owned Canadian manufacturer HyVera Distributed Energy is introducing an eCat pellet that instantly produces ultra-pure green hydrogen without external electricity and is counting on two pilot plants to simplify industrial supply.
Underground Hydrogen Storage: High Costs and Technical Challenges Hamper Growth
Underground hydrogen storage, essential to support its growth, continues to face significantly higher costs than natural gas storage, along with major technical challenges hindering its competitiveness against conventional energies.
Hydrexia and Samator join forces for the Indonesian hydrogen market
Singapore-based hydrogen specialist Hydrexia seals a protocol with Indonesian gas giant Samator to deploy purification, transport and storage of hydrogen, betting on rapidly growing local demand and export outlets to the Asia-Pacific region.
Cadiz signs with Hoku Energy and targets $10mn annual revenues in California
Cadiz Inc. signs a memorandum of understanding with British company Hoku Energy for a large-scale energy project including green hydrogen, solar power, and digital infrastructure in the Californian desert, projecting annual revenues of up to $10mn.
BP suspends blue hydrogen project at Whiting, Midwest future uncertain
BP indefinitely halts its blue hydrogen project at the Whiting refinery in Indiana, raising questions about the future of federal funding and the impact on regional plans for a decarbonized hydrogen sector in the United States.
ORLEN Group secures €382 million for its hydrogen projects
The Polish energy group ORLEN receives a non-repayable grant of €382 million from the National Recovery Plan to finance its renewable and low-emission hydrogen production initiatives.
Georgia Power validates 50% hydrogen blend on gas turbine
Georgia Power and Mitsubishi Power announce successful completion of an unprecedented test incorporating 50% hydrogen into an advanced gas turbine, reducing CO2 emissions by 22% compared to natural gas alone.
Neoenergia begins construction of BRL30mn green hydrogen unit in Brazil
Neoenergia has begun construction of one of Brazil's first green hydrogen plants, aimed at supplying heavy and light vehicles, with an investment exceeding 30 million Brazilian reais ($5.99mn).
South Africa: 37mn USD fund boosts green hydrogen
The SA-H2 fund, supported by international partnerships and local institutional backing, mobilises 37 million USD to develop export-oriented green hydrogen from South Africa, with an initial concrete project announced.
Turbotech validates hydrogen turboprop using Ansys simulation
Turbotech reports successful combustion testing of a hydrogen turboprop, developed through digital simulation with Ansys, marking an industrial milestone in light aircraft using alternative fuel.

LEGAL

FOSSILS

POLICY

RENEWABLE

PLUS

© XMARKET PUBLISHING