Construction of Ineos' Project One ethane cracker in Antwerp, Belgium, has reached a significant milestone following the safe arrival of the final large process modules needed to complete the facility.

The last two modules, manufactured in Abu Dhabi, experienced months of delay after geopolitical tensions in the Middle East disrupted shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. The components were eventually able to transit during the mid-June ceasefire before arriving in Antwerp via the Suez Canal in late July. Each module weighs around 7,000 tonnes and completes the delivery of the plant's major process equipment.

With all key modules now on site, construction will move into its final mechanical, electrical and instrumentation phase. Around 2,500 workers are currently involved in the project, with mechanical completion expected in mid-2027 and commercial operations scheduled to commence in the second half of 2027.

Ineos describes Project One as Europe's most sustainable ethane cracker, with a projected carbon footprint around 50 per cent lower per tonne of product than the next best-performing cracker in Europe. The facility has been designed to meet up to 60 per cent of its heat demand using low-carbon hydrogen at start-up and could transition to 100 per cent hydrogen if sufficient supplies become available. The cracker also incorporates ultra-low nitrogen oxide (NOx) burners and advanced combustion technologies to maximise energy efficiency and minimise emissions.

The project has overcome a series of permitting and legal challenges in recent years, with construction approvals ultimately reinstated following an expanded environmental assessment. Once operational, Project One is expected to strengthen Europe's petrochemical manufacturing capability while demonstrating how new-generation production facilities can deliver improved environmental performance alongside increased production capacity.

Read more about Project One here.