Member in the Spotlight: Bekaert's Role in China and Beyond
On June 23rd, our Chamber had the pleasure to pay a visit to Bekaert, a longstanding member and community sponsor of the Benelux Chamber of Commerce and a global leader in material science, steel wire transformation, and coating technologies. Founded in 1880 in Zwevegem, Belgium, Bekaert has grown into a multinational powerhouse listed on Euronext Brussels, employing over 21,000 people, generating €4.0 billion in revenue, and currently valued at €1.7 billion.
Bekaert entered the Chinese market in 1993 and has since become one of the most prominent Belgian investors in the region. Today, the company operates 17 production sites across 7 major cities: Shanghai, Jiangyin, Shenyang, Weihai, Qingdao, Suzhou, and Hangzhou. With over €1.5 billion invested and around 6500 employees in China alone, the country now contributes approximately one-quarter of Bekaert’s global revenue.
Importantly, Bekaert’s Chinese operations are not limited to the domestic market. With application of global standards in quality and production, these sites are positioned to serve not only China, but also the broader Asia-Pacific (APAC) region. This dual focus reflects Bekaert’s strategy to leverage its local capacity while contributing to regional growth.
While Europe remains Bekaert’s largest market, China ranks as its second-largest overall, and the top individual country market. The company’s solutions are deeply embedded in a diverse range of industries: automotive, elevators, offshore mining, filtration, construction, and energy infrastructure. In many of these sectors, Bekaert is a recognized market leader and strong challenger.
Bekaert continues to invest heavily in innovation and R&D, with an annual spend of €74 million and over 2,100 active patents. The company’s R&D teams span Belgium, the UK, and China, promoting cross-border collaboration. In China specifically, Bekaert is focused on emerging industries like electric vehicles (EVs), smart manufacturing, and green hydrogen, with products like Ampact™ for EV drive systems and Currento® for electrolysis membranes gaining traction.
In 2022, Bekaert’s sustainability targets were officially validated by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi), a major milestone underscoring its environmental commitment. With a goal to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 46.2% by 2030 and reach net zero by 2050, Bekaert aligns its growth strategy with long-term ecological responsibility. This focus has not gone unnoticed. That same year, Bekaert was recognized in China with the “China National Green Factory” award. In 2024, TIME Magazine listed Bekaert among the Top 500 Most Sustainable Companies worldwide.
Recently, on January 25, 2024, Bekaert's Regional Headquarters Asia in Shanghai was awarded the prestigious LEED Gold Certification by the U.S. Green Building Council. The LEED system is the world’s leading benchmark for green buildings. Bekaert’s new offices were recognized for their sustainable design, including energy-efficient lighting systems, eco-friendly materials, water-saving devices, and the use of eco-certified interior materials that maximizes natural daylight. Conveniently located near Hongqiao’s transport hub, the office also helps reduce commuting emissions.
Bekaert continues to build its presence in China, working closely with local partners to bring its global ambition to life. By embedding its commitment to safety, intelligence, and sustainability into everything it does, Bekaert is shaping the way we live and move. We look forward to following their continued growth and impact.
