It was a challenging and adventurous year for Ekopak. We announced numerous new projects and the Eko-Wolf-pack continued to grow. We list below what you might have missed.
The project Waterkracht (‘hydropower’)
In January, we announced the Waterkracht project. We are joining forces with Aquafin, PMV and water-link to upgrade the treated wastewater of Antwerp households into cooling water for companies in the Port of Antwerp by 2025. The collaboration is a major milestone in the transition to a sustainable port.
A new, high-tech cooling water plant to be built will bring 20 billion liters of wastewater treated by Aquafin to a much higher quality level of cooling water on an annual basis from 2025. Ekopak will build and operate this plant.
The Waterkracht project also won a Trends Impact award in the Circular Economy category on November 30.
Investment in new premises
Due to our increasing growth, we announced the investment of new premises in Deinze. Ekopak will construct the new building on the De Prijkels site in Deinze on a plot of approximately 2.1 ha. The new building is a concrete illustration of Ekopak’s vision of sustainability. It includes everything to be completely self-sufficient in terms of energy and water consumption. We will move into the new building in the spring of 2024.
1 year on Euronext
On March 31 it was exactly 1 year ago that our CEO Pieter Loose, rang the bell on Euronext Brussels. The IPO is crucial for the future growth of Ekopak.
On the occasion of this IPO, we published our first Annual Report and Sustainability Report, and organized our first Annual General Shareholders’ Meeting.
Our E-team keeps growing
Our workforce continued to grow in 2022. In total, we recruited 50 new people. Various activities were scheduled such as Safety Day, Nokere Koerse, After work drinks, … We also organized numerous sports activities such as Ekofit to encourage sports at work. Would you also like to join our team? Then be sure to check out our current vacancies.
Proud sponsor Quick-step Alpha Vinyl team
2022 also marks the first year that we are a proud sponsor of the Quick-step Alpha Vinyl team. You can admire our logo for the next 3 years on the official cycling jerseys and the drinking bottle.
And what a year with 47 team victories! Remco Evenepoel became World Champion and received the red jersey in La Vuelta, Yves Lampaert won the yellow jersey in the Tour de France, Fabio Jakobsen became the new European champion, etc.!
NextGen district concession
In June, we acquired the concession on the NextGen district in Antwerp to build the water plant of the future. On the one hand, the new water treatment plant will provide surrounding companies with qualitative and sustainable process water. Ekopak will thus offer the NextGen District the opportunity to be responsible for its own water supply.
On the other hand, the water treatment plant plays an important role in the project Waterkracht. Ekopak will further upgrade the plant’s supplied treated wastewater into process water for the port.
Ekopak France
The activities in France did not stand still either. Ekopak France is rocketing ahead with several new projects. In September we acquired the French company H20 Production in Pithiviers, which brings 20 years of experience in various technologies for the production of demineralized water. This further strengthens our portfolio in the French market.
Ekopak Cycling Tour for Fight Against Cancer
In October, we organized the first edition of the Ekopak Cycling Tour. Together with some of our customers, suppliers and some riders of the Quick-Step Alpha Vinyl Cycling Team we cycled a beautiful route through the Flemish Ardennes. With this event, we also took the opportunity to raise money for the 1000km of Kom op tegen Kanker. In total, we collected € 8305!
Circeaulair project takes off
On December 14, we launched the Circeaulair project. Together with Aquafin and EPICo² we further stimulate the reuse of wastewater for the industry. In concrete terms, the effluent (or treated wastewater) coming from Aquafin’s wastewater treatment plant (WWTP), is converted into process water for industrial purposes. This is done through a water treatment installation which Ekopak will install close to Aquafin’s WWTP. From here, a new pipeline network will be created transporting the process water directly to the company or the business park. By taking action now and offering circular water to the industry, Circeaulair enables companies to arm themselves for the future.
Of course, there is so much more to tell… We look forward to seeing you in 2023!
