essenscia vlaanderen, the regional section of essenscia for the Flemish Region, represents and defends the interests of its members in matters for which the Flemish Region and the Flemish Community are competent.
essenscia vlaanderen includes around 400 companies in basic chemicals, para-chemicals, pharmaceutical and plastics processing sectors, accounting for a total of 66,000 jobs (160,000 direct and indirect jobs). The chemicals and life sciences sectors together constitute the second largest branch of industry in the Flemish Region, or approximately 23% of the total turnover of the Flemish processing industry
Companies in this sector are located primarily in the port of Antwerp and along the three waterways: to the east, towards Limburg, along the Albert Canal, to the south along the Rupel and to the west, towards Ghent along the Scheldt and the Ghent-Terneuzen Canal. The port of Antwerp is the largest and most diversified petrochemicals cluster in the world, particularly the Antwerp-Rotterdam area.
essenscia vlaanderen strives to create an efficient and sound business climate and cooperates constructively with the authorities, socio-economic partners and other parties involved.
essenscia vlaanderen closely follows developments in new laws, decrees and regulations and provides its members with the necessary expertise in this area. As regards the practical implementation of legislation, it helps its members and gives them advice on environmental matters, health and safety, education, training, the labour market, innovation and R&D, energy and climate, foreign trade, spatial planning, infrastructure and logistics.