From Petrochemicals to Pharma: How Benelux is Shaping Europe’s Sustainable Industrial Landscape

As policy uncertainty in the U.S. redirects global capital, Europe and the Benelux, in particular, are seeing a surge in renewable energy investment. Benelux, which comprise of Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg, is a strategic hub for Europe’s energy and chemical industries. With its location within Western Europe’s pipeline network, world-class infrastructure, and progressive policy environment, the Benelux is uniquely positioned to help Europe meet its net-zero ambitions while driving industrial innovation and expanding into differentiated markets.

From refining and distribution to advanced chemical manufacturing, the region has deep industrial roots and a highly integrated logistics network. Its ports, pipelines and storage facilities support efficient operations and a strong base in chemicals and steel enables an industrial area ripe for diversified industries and markets. 

The International Energy Agency (IEA) reported that investments in renewable energy in the European Union reached nearly $390 billion in 2025 . Institutions such as the European Investment Bank (EIB) and the Benelux Union’s 2025–2028 action plan  are prioritising energy transition and hydrogen infrastructure, areas where Wood has deep expertise, thanks to a decades-long presence in the region and close ties to its Centre of Excellence in Milan. 

Benelux’s evolving engineering landscape 

For decades, Wood has partnered with clients in the region to navigate change and sustainable growth. Utilising its centre of excellence model provides the local team with support and knowledge from Milan as well as other high-quality engineering hubs in Madrid, Reading and Antwerp. As the downstream chemicals sector evolves, there is increasing focus is on enabling transformation by reducing carbon intensity while rethinking production models. 

Today, Wood is delivering some of Europe’s most innovative and impactful projects, revolutionising feedstock production, such as ethylene, polyethene and polypropylene, all widely used in the manufacture of goods, textiles and packaging. These include:

• EPCM services to a landmark petrochemicals complex in Antwerp, to create Europe’s most advanced ethane cracker, designed to have the lowest carbon footprint in the region, a major step towards sustainable ethylene production. 
• Providing Front End Engineering and Design (FEED) for the world’s first industrial-scale facility powered by green methanol, producing 300 kilo tonnes per annum (KTPA) of carbon-negative polyethene and polypropylene with full traceability and scope 3 emissions reduction. 
• Supporting large-scale infrastructure and innovation projects aligned with Europe’s decarbonisation goals.
• Helping a client to expand sustainable aniline production at its Antwerp site, boosting capacity and making it one of Europe’s largest producers. 

Over the past two years, the Benelux team has more than doubled in size, securing multiple frame agreements with key clients and expanding our regional footprint. Wood remains committed to helping Europe achieve its net-zero ambitions through engineering excellence, digital innovation and strong client partnerships. To meet growing demand, the team is scaling up to support both flagship developments and ongoing operations, leveraging expertise in green chemicals, biofuels, hydrogen and circular economy solutions to shape the future of Europe’s industrial landscape.

Supporting Europe’s industrial goals

As Europe accelerates its digital transformation, the rise of AI and the exponential growth of data centres are reshaping industrial priorities across the region. In Benelux, this trend presents a unique opportunity to integrate advanced engineering with low-carbon solutions. By applying decades of expertise in complex industrial projects, Wood are helping clients design and deliver facilities that not only meet the demands of high-performance computing but also align with Europe’s ambitious climate goals. 

As industries converge around sustainability, innovation and health, Wood is not just responding to change; it’s driving it. Through comprehensive lifecycle support, from design to EPCm to operations and maintenance support, harnessing decades of expertise and pioneering solutions in energy transition, advanced recycling and pharmaceuticals, Wood is supporting Benelux to shaping the next era of industrial progress, one that delivers resilience, efficiency and a cleaner future for Europe and beyond.

Bavo Spreuwers, General Manager of Wood's Belgium operations

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