Sumitomo Bakelite Europe (Ghent) NV

Sumitomo Bakelite Europe (Ghent) NV

About us

Sumitomo Bakelite Europe (Ghent) NV is a market leader in the sector of thermoset molding compounds & composites for the mobility sector.

🏭 Active within two business units of the Group of Sumitomo Bakelite Co., Ltd.; the Ghent factory produces thermoset molding compounds based on phenolic (SBHPP High Performance Materials dept., Vyncolit® brand name) and epoxy (Information & Technology Materials dept., Sumikon® brand name).

🧪 The Automotive Solutions Center, established at the same site as the Ghent factory, provides customers with application development & prototyping support.

🌱 We work hard to become a sustainable enterprise, by using & producing our own renewable energy, focusing on green commute, and following the Sustainable Development Goal targets.

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Sumitomo Bakelite Europe (Ghent) NV, located in Ghent, Belgium, is a subsidiary of Sumitomo Bakelite Co., Ltd. (HQ in Tokyo, Japan) and sister company of two further European production sites within the High Performance Materials dept.: Sumitomo Bakelite Europe NV (located in Genk, Belgium) & Sumitomo Bakelite Europe (Barcelona), S.L.U. (located in Barcelona, Spain).

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Sustainability

We have drafted a strategy, aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals and focused on four areas:

  • Climate & Energy
    (renewable energy usage & production, energy efficiency, carbon footprint reduction)

  • Sustainable Materials
    (development of a roadmap towards sustainable thermoset molding materials)

  • Factory of the Future
    (digital transformation, sustainable work, inclusive factory)

  • Global Company, Local Engagement
    (diversity, equity & inclusion; intercultural understanding)

On the short-term, we want to accomplish 3 concrete goals within the first cornerstone (climate & energy): Electrified production plant by end of FY 2026 (allowing carbon net zero operations); increased energy efficiency (15% energy intensity saving by 2026); and increase our own renewable energy production up to 1 MWp.

In FY 2023, we commuted 115 000 km by bike to the office. For FY 2024, our target is to again exceed 100 000 commute-km to the office, by bike instead of by car.

In 2023 & 2024, Sumitomo Bakelite Europe (Ghent) NV was recognized as "SDG Laureate" by the Flanders Chamber of Commerce (VOKA), as well as "SDG Pioneer" by the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR).

History

The history of Sumitomo Bakelite Europe (Ghent) NV starts at the beginning of the 20th century with the founding of "Vynckier" in 1920. "Vynckier" was a pioneer in the field of electric appliances. When looking for an improved alternative material to the ceramics used at the time, "Vynckier" ended up making its own composite raw material "Vyncolite". This material was based on the phenolic chemistry, invented in 1907 by Prof. Leo Baekeland (born in Ghent, 1863).

In 1993, the "Vyncolite" material production department spun off into an independent legal entity, called "Vyncolit NV". The "Vyncolite" compounds have since then evolved from simple wood and stone flour filled grades, to high-performance fiber-reinforced engineering composites, for use in demanding applications where other materials are unable to perform.

Since 2005, the Ghent production site is an integral part of the global group Sumitomo Bakelite Co., Ltd.

In 2023, the construction of both a 600-panel photovoltaic installation and a novel production line at the historic Ghent site was finalized. This strong investment introduced local manufacturing of Sumitomo Bakelite Co., Ltd.'s epoxy-based thermosetting molding compounds within Europe, and ensures the future of the Ghent site with new composite materials focused on e-mobility applications.

On April 1st, 2023, we said goodbye to our old name ("Vyncolit NV") and celebrated our rebirth as "Sumitomo Bakelite Europe (Ghent) NV". The new name validates the investment in the historic Ghent production site & our strategic transformation into a materials supplier for the electrified mobility sector.

Careers

We seek people who are passionate about their professions, innovative, committed to excellence, and perform in a way that reflects our corporate culture. We ensure that talent is rewarded, developed and retained and we will share the responsibility for your career development with you.

Key facts

170

people employed

1993

independent legal entity established

€41

million turnover

+200

MWh/y solar energy production

+100 000

km/y of bike commute

All Careers

Worker

Spontaneous job application

Spontaneous job applications are always welcome. If you want to apply, please send your application to HR Gent.

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