The week in business: 9 January
Picanol's Luc Tack is Manager of the Year, Solvay acquires Ryton PPS and an overview of the rest of the week's business news
Award – Luc Tack
Chemicals – Solvay
The Brussels-based chemicals and plastics group has finalised the $220 million acquisition of Ryton PPS, the speciality polymers affiliate of the US-based Chevron Phillips Chemical company.
Energy – GDF Suez
The French energy group has earmarked investments up to €400 million in its Doel 1 & 2 nuclear plants to extend their useful production cycles for 10 years till 2025. The government has postponed the closure deadline of the plants, slated for the end of this year, to avoid electricity shortages.
Energy – Wind farms
The government has approved plans for the development of five extra offshore wind farms in addition to the three in operation. Authorities expect that wind energy could cover up to 10% of Belgium’s energy requirements when all parks are on stream.
Gaming – Waterland
The Dutch investment group is taking over Napoleon Games, operator of 23 gaming halls, betting parlours and online gaming products from the founding Michiels family. It also acquires the Knokke Casino, one of Flanders’ largest, which was bought by the Michiels in 2013 for €16.5 million from the French Partouche group.
Handling – Chiquita
The US-based food group has decided to shift its 170,000-tonne European import activities from the Port of Antwerp to nearby Flushing, the Netherlands, blaming the lack of flexibility and organisation of the port’s workforce.
Investment – Dukan
The French family that owns the dieting and nutrition group has opened an affiliate in Belgium housing more than 23% of its assets.
Shipping – CMB
The Antwerp-based shipping group has acquired 14 container ships from Delphis. The ships are said to be among the world’s largest with reinforced hulls for sailing in ice-covered seas.
photo by Jean Michel Byl/Solvay
