Flanders unveils €2bn industrial decarbonisation plan with focus on carbon capture
Flanders will invest €2 billion over the next 10 years to help cut industrial carbon emissions and support heavy industry, with most of the funding going to carbon capture and storage (CCS) projects.
The Flemish government has set aside €1.2 billion for CCS. Of this, €1 billion will be available through a funding round from 2028 for energy-intensive industries, such as steel and chemicals, where reducing emissions is difficult. A further €200 million has already been allocated to the Kairos@C project, led by BASF and Air Liquide in the Port of Antwerp, which will capture, liquefy and permanently store CO2.
The remaining €800 million will support businesses replacing fossil fuel-based equipment with cleaner technologies, including electric boilers, industrial heat pumps and more efficient production processes. Funding will be awarded to projects that achieve the greatest CO2 reductions at the lowest cost.
The government says the programme, funded partly through EU emissions trading revenues, is the largest industrial support package ever launched in Flanders. Minister-president Matthias Diependaele said the investment would strengthen industry, encourage innovation and help secure skilled jobs while supporting the transition to lower-carbon manufacturing.
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