INEOS has reached a major milestone in the development of its Project ONE ethane cracker with the arrival of the first two furnaces at the Port of Antwerp. The delivery, which marks a crucial step in the realization of the company’s significant investment in a new chemical plant, brings the project closer to its operational phase. The furnaces, weighing an impressive 6,000 tonnes, are central to the functioning of the ethane cracker, where ethane is converted into ethylene, a fundamental building block in the chemical industry. These modules are part of a broader project aimed at modernizing chemical production and reducing carbon emissions in Europe.

This delivery is no ordinary feat. The two furnaces, measuring over 32 meters wide and standing 60 meters tall — equivalent to the height of Antwerp’s Museum aan de Stroom — are among the largest industrial shipments ever to dock at the port. Their combined value is approximately EUR 150 million, underlining the scale and significance of the Project ONE investment. The arrival of the furnaces from Thailand was the culmination of a 55-day, 12,500-nautical-mile journey, which was diverted around the Cape of Good Hope due to instability in the Red Sea. To ensure stability during transport, the furnaces were securely welded to the ship with a reinforced steel framework. The module will remain at the quay wall for another nine days for unloading and installation, a process managed by Flemish contractor Sarens using specialized transport equipment.

The arrival of these massive modules is more than just a technical achievement; it signifies the shift of Project ONE from a paper proposal to a tangible, real-world construction project. John McNally, CEO of INEOS Project ONE, expressed the excitement and motivation within the team as the project progresses. “Project ONE is no longer a virtual project on paper, but is increasingly gaining a foothold in the port,” he said. The construction activities will intensify in 2025, with more modules expected to arrive, marking the start of a full-scale construction phase.

Project ONE is a modular construction project, involving extensive international cooperation. As many as 10,000 workers were mobilized globally, including in module yards across Thailand, Abu Dhabi, and the Philippines, where over 10 million man-hours were spent. The project employs cutting-edge technology, including ultra-low NOx burners and combustion air preheaters, designed to maximize energy efficiency and minimize emissions. These features make the furnaces some of the most environmentally friendly in the industry, with the project already set to meet 60% of its heat demand with low-carbon hydrogen instead of natural gas. By switching to 100% hydrogen in the future, INEOS aims to reduce the carbon footprint per ton of ethylene produced by half compared to other European crackers.

With civil and underground works complete, Project ONE will continue to take shape in 2025, with around 2,500 workers expected on-site by the peak of construction in the third quarter of the year. The successful completion of this project will not only solidify Antwerp’s role as a vital chemical hub but also support Europe’s broader sustainability goals.

Jacques Vandermeiren, CEO of Port of Antwerp-Bruges, praised the arrival of the first furnaces, noting the project’s importance for both the European economy and the future of sustainable industry in the region.