essenscia vlaanderen is the regional division of essenscia supporting more than 450 member companies in Flanders, offering expertise, advice, and services tailored to regional themes and competencies. With more than 64,000 employees, almost a quarter of turnover, a third of exports and more than a third of added value, the chemical and life sciences sector is one of the most important industries in Flanders. Furthermore, the sector accounts for more than half of all industrial spending on research and development (R&D) and half of all foreign investment. Chemicals, plastics, and life sciences are represented in all Flemish provinces. The port of Antwerp is home to the largest integrated chemical cluster in Europe and one of the most important in the world.  Twelve of the world’s fifteen largest chemical companies have a production site here. The other remaining chemical companies are mainly located in the Ghent canal zone and along the Albert Canal. The provinces of West Flanders and Limburg have a high concentration of plastics processing companies. As well as many SME’s, many international headquarters and R&D centres are located in Brussels and in Flemish Brabant. The pharmaceutical sector is strongly represented in the province of Antwerp, both in the Kempen and in the area around Puurs, whilst biotech is concentrated in the triangle of Ghent, Leuven and Mechelen.