Key
sectors
Today, Antwerp is at the forefront of innovation and sustainability and the city is a leader in numerous key industries. Home to Europe's largest integrated chemical cluster and second-largest port, Antwerp enjoys state-of-the-art infrastructure, including strategic research centres, renowned universities, the latest technology, and a highly skilled workforce.
With a myriad of start-ups and professional collaborations, Antwerp champions circular economy initiatives and embraces digital trends to foster a healthier and smarter community.
The city’s superb connectivity and its proximity to other major economic centres in Europe have made Antwerp a major economic hub for more than 500 years.
A world-class port: Antwerp-Bruges
The Port of Antwerp-Bruges, the second-largest port in Europe, is a critical hub in global maritime trade and logistics. Accommodating the largest integrated chemical cluster in Europe, it is rapidly becoming a sustainable, carbon-neutral port of the future. By prioritising innovation and digitalisation to optimise operations, the port aims to become a smart port, enhancing safety, security and efficiency.
Europe’s largest integrated and sustainable chemical cluster
Antwerp hosts Europe's largest integrated chemical cluster, the second-largest worldwide. With over 300 different chemicals and 500 chemical companies, many of the world’s top chemical companies are represented in Antwerp, and the cluster attracts significant global investment.
Boasting the most diverse portfolio in the world, connected by a state-of-the-art pipeline network which facilitates product interchange, Antwerp plays a pivotal role in the global chemical landscape.
Health: a vital innovation cluster
In the European health innovation landscape, Antwerp distinguishes itself not just through the presence of renowned institutions or the quality of its healthcare infrastructure, but through its ability to structurally enable innovation. The city’s Health & Life Sciences cluster transforms healthcare through an interconnected ecosystem of data, research, industry, and care provision. Antwerp’s strength lies in coordination. Its dense but highly active network of research institutions, clinical centres, startups, and innovation platforms operate within an environment that favours collaboration. This makes Antwerp a hub for scientific advancement and a testbed for real-world health solutions.
Digital innovation
Antwerp's long history as a centre for trade and innovation has cultivated a culture of experimentation and adaptation. This culture equips us with the agility to navigate modern challenges. Our entrepreneurs’ ability to evolve allows them to address pressing global issues like climate change, energy transitions, pandemics, digitisation, and mobility. Antwerp's innovation landscape is characterised by The Beacon – a technology institute connecting digital innovators to solve the challenges of our cities, ports and industries. It fosters collaboration among 100+ companies and research institutes.
A world diamond capital
Playing in the diamond Champions League since the 15th century, Antwerp is proud to claim the title of World Diamond Capital with the world’s oldest and largest – as well as most-trusted – diamond centre. Centuries of experience in cutting-edge craftsmanship are now being combined with innovative technologies, sustainability, creativity and transparency to make Antwerp the heart of today's global diamond business.
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