Bio Group Holding takes place in port of Ostend: up to 60 new jobs

Bio Group occupies a 10-hectare site in Plassendale (inner port). The holding will carry out the activities of BioCircle BV and BioFertiCol BV. BioCircle will dry and enrich up to 600,000 tons per year of food, fruit and vegetables, dairy, beer and other nutrients at cruising speed. BioFertiCol takes the dried material and analyzes the composition of the nutrients, mixing them with additives to compose à la carte organic fertilizers. Ultimately, Bio Group will export the organic fertilizers (300,000 tons on an annual basis) abroad via the port or rail.

Circular economy

The choice to settle in the port of Ostend is because a cluster around the circular economy is being formed there. Many companies in the area have a heat surplus, heat that Bio Group can put to good use. They will dry the organic material using the heat generated there. That way nothing is lost. “Together with the operational circular companies, we will be able to fully achieve our goal as a sustainable, green and circular company in a circular cluster,” says Ronald Daene, director of BioCircle and BioFertiCol.

The various raw materials and the finished products will partly be supplied and removed via water. The arrival of this holding will therefore not only have a positive impact on employment, but also on additional maritime traffic. “The entire circular cluster, which has meanwhile taken shape, contributes to tackling climate issues and fits in with the attention for sustainability and corporate responsibility of the Port of Ostend,” says chair Charlotte Verkeyn.

Bio Group Holding hopes to be operational in the port of Ostend in the course of 2024.