ExxonMobil continues its commitment to its world class European Technology Center in Belgium

Belgian Minister Peeters marks the 50th Anniversary Celebration

• As a global hub for energy and chemical innovation the European Technology Center contributes to innovative and sustainable solutions that address global societal challenges.
• ExxonMobil underpins its commitment to the Benelux with latest 2 billion Euro investments in Antwerp and Rotterdam refineries. 
• On October 3, 2018 Mr. Kris Peeters, Deputy Prime Minister marks this 50 year milestone in the presence of government officials, academics and customer partners.

“With an industry R&D investment of $1 billion per year globally, we are leaders in research in fundamental science and innovation. This has resulted in several breakthroughs in the development of sustainable solutions for society, such as algae for biofuels, carbon dioxide capture and utilization through Fuel Cell Technology, as well as high performance polymer products that reduce food waste and increase automotive fuel efficiency” says David McConville, VP Global Chemicals Technology.

For 50 years, ExxonMobil’s European Technology Center has been at the heart of fundamental and applied research. As a global hub for energy and chemical innovation in Machelen, the Campus benefits from its close proximity to European institutions and easy access to world leading academic research.
ExxonMobil’s diverse, international workforce collaborates with our European and international customers to shape the future with innovative and sustainable solutions that address global societal challenges. 
Innovative chemical processes to reduce energy consumption at our manufacturing facilities, vehicle weight reduction, extended shelf life of fresh food or increased crop yield in farming and greenhouses are just some examples of how the center contributes to improve modern daily life and provide a lower carbon footprint. 

ETC researchers also work closely with leading European and Belgian universities to continuously challenge the scientific status quo and to advance our fundamental understanding of materials. Examples include cutting edge microscopy research at the Universities of Antwerp and Mons that will help us to better understand and ultimately further enhance the properties of our high performance plastics at a molecular level. 

Belgian Deputy Prime Minister, Kris Peeters, Jan Michielsen, ExxonMobil CEO Benelux and David H. McConville, VP Global Chemicals Technology will mark this anniversary and unveil a commemorative plaque in the presence of government officials, academics and customer partners.

Belgian Deputy Prime Minister, Kris Peeters: “The long presence of ExxonMobil’s European Technology Center is important for Belgium as a European hub for research and development. Companies spend 2,7% of the GDP on research and development. That is far more than the European average of 1,95%. And we keep striving for better.  With our economic reforms, we have given companies space to enlarge their activities. The Tax shift has reduced the cost of labour. We have also closed the wage handicap with our neighboring countries. And we have supported entrepreneurship with the corporation tax reform. These measures give the chance to companies such as ExxonMobil to further expand their activities.”

Jan Michielsen, ExxonMobil Benelux CEO: ”We are proud to host this vital research center in our EMEA headquarters. It underpins our long term commitment to the Benelux with continuous investments in our facilities and the recent investments of over 2 billion Euros in our world-class Antwerp and Rotterdam refineries to produce cleaner fuels and high-quality base stocks for automotive lubricants.”