Ineos Will Fall calls “Project One” by Ineos “the example of the wrong choices that are made about the future of the Flemish industry”. The campaigners fear that Ineos will use controversial shale gas in the new ethylene and propylene plant, increase CO2 emissions and that production will serve to make disposable plastic. Moreover, they do not like the fact that 55 hectares of forest will be cleared for such a project.
The timing of the action is not coincidental, because the “Project One” file is currently on the table of the Flemish government, which will have to decide on the environmental permit. The Regional Environmental Permit Commission gave a positive advice last week. Because earlier notices of objection and small-scale actions apparently did not have the desired effect, the activists have now moved to occupy the site in question. They also want to stay there “for a longer period of time”.
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“People are always looking to fly less or use less plastic,” says Jasmijn Defize, spokeswoman for the activists. “These are valuable efforts, but if the government continues to pamper the fossil industry and allow it to produce even more plastic, little will change.”
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The activists also complain that the project can probably count on a lot of Flemish subsidies. They reject the argument of job creation. “If the government wants to invest in job security, it must do so in climate-neutral, circular companies and sectors,” he says.
“Arguments are wrong”
Ineos confirms in a response that the activists have gained access to private land on the Scheldelaan by cutting fences. “The police are on the spot to monitor the situation”, it sounds. “We are of course concerned because of the nearby chemical installations. After all, these are Seveso companies. Ineos takes all possible measures to safeguard the safety of the chemical installations, the environment and the activists. We have also informed the neighboring companies about this. ”
The chemical company further states that the arguments of the activists against “Project One” are incorrect. Ethylene and propylene are the building blocks of essential chemical products that are part of everyday life, such as in the automotive, construction, energy and medical sectors, it sounds, and are not just used for single-use plastics. Ineos also states that the project will make the chemical industry in Europe more sustainable. “It has been 25 years since we brought another such investment – 5 billion euros – to the EU,” the company said. “Project One will emit less than half the CO2 of the current best performing comparable installations in Europe. This raises the bar for other, more polluting installations. “
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The fact that trees have to be cut down for the factory is correct, according to Ineos. “The trees on this site originated on industrial land, in the port area,” he says. “If we do not develop these sites, they will be used for another industrial project.” Ineos promises to plant more trees elsewhere than is legally required to compensate. “We also handle the protected animal species present with the greatest care,” says Ineos. “The found colony of hairy forest ants will find a new home in a protected nature reserve and we will create a new breeding place for the natterjack toad and look for a new habitat.”
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