The week in business: 4 July
ExxonMobil invests in Antwerp refinery, Zhonglun law firm opens Brussels office and an overview of the rest of the week's business news
Oil – ExxonMobil
The new unit will convert crude oil into diesel and fuel for ships. The investment brings ExxonMobil’s spending in Antwerp to $2 billion in less than 10 years. The Antwerp refinery has a refining capacity of 320,000 barrels a day.
Biotech – Celtic Renewables
The Ghent-based Bio Base Pilot Plant has signed a €1.5 million agreement with the Edinburgh University spin-off to test and develop applications to turn whisky by-products into bio-fuels.
IT – Cegeka
The Hasselt-based IT services provider is paying €24 million to acquire the German and Italian affiliates of the Austrian Brain Force Software company. The move will allow Cegeka to expand with operations in Italy, Germany, Austria, Slovakia and the Czech Republic.
Legal – Zhonglun
The Chinese corporate law firm has opened an office in Brussels as part of its international development. As a result, the Brussels firm Janson Baugniet will be represented in six of Zhonglun’s W&D offices in China.
Oil – ExxonMobil
The US oil giant ExxonMobil is to invest $1 billion (€731 million) in a new coking unit at its refinery in the Port of Antwerp, the company announced. The new unit will convert crude oil into diesel and fuel for ships. The investment brings ExxonMobil’s spending in Antwerp to $2 billion in less than 10 years. The Antwerp refinery has a refining capacity of 320,000 barrels a day.
Parking – Interparking
The Brussels-based parking operator has acquired the French Park’A company managing 17 car parks in Paris, Antibes, Nice and Cherbourg. Interparking will now operate some 50 car parks for a total of 23,000 places in 14 French cities.
Retail – AS Adventure
The outdoors and sport equipment retailer, which has been put on the market by the UK-based Lion Capital fund for €375 million, may be acquired by Mike Ashley, owner of Newcastle United football club and the Sports Direct chain of clothing and equipment in the UK.
Tobacco – Davidoff
The Swiss cigar and smoking paraphernalia group has renovated its two Brussels stores and installed new smoking rooms to meet growing demand for its luxury brands.
