French biopharma firm Sanofi claimed the grand prize for channeling EUR 300 million into the expansion of its biotech factory in Geel. Gunther Pauwels, general manager at Sanofi Geel received the trophy for Foreign Investment of the Year from Claire Tillekaerts, CEO of Flanders Investment & Trade. Sanofi’s investment received the majority of the votes after 3 voting rounds. In addition to a professional jury, the public also cast its vote online. During the awards ceremony, a final voting declared Sanofi the overall winner. Sanofi gained victory over four competitors: air-conditioning specialist Daikin (Japan), sporting goods retail chain Decathlon (France), vinyl flooring manufacturer IVC (US) and package delivery company UPS (US).

Five decades after opening its first base in Antwerp, German chemical giant BASF has won the Lifetime Achievement Trophy. Philippe Muyters, Flemish Minister for Work, Economy, Innovation and Sport, presented the trophy to Wouter De Geest, CEO at BASF Antwerp. “This win is a recognition of all the generations that have contributed to BASF’s success, but also an incentive to continue connecting with and innovating in Flanders,” commented Mr. De Geest.

“This trophy underlines BASF’s decades-spanning investments that fortified Flanders’ chemical industry and the petrochemical cluster in Antwerp,” said Mr. Muyters. “The fact that BASF continues to invest an average of around EUR 150 million per year in its Antwerp site and the 3,100 people working there further highlights its importance for Flanders.”