75 years of Centexbel
On Thursday, October 22, Centexbel celebrated its 75th anniversary with a special event at The Lab in Ghent. Customers, companies, researchers, innovation partners, and policymakers came together to reflect on 75 years of technological progress and, above all, to look ahead to the challenges that will shape the textile and plastics industries in the years to come. Since its legal establishment in 1950 and the start of its activities in 1951, Centexbel has evolved from a knowledge center for the Belgian textile industry into an international innovation partner for textile and plastics processing companies. The integration of the Flanders Plastics Center, known as VKC, in 2014 marked an important milestone, bringing the expertise of both industries closer together.
From expertise to societal impact
Throughout this evolution, technology, markets, and societal challenges have changed significantly. However, the essence of Centexbel’s mission has remained the same: helping companies turn knowledge into innovation and innovation into tangible impact.
During the event, this impact was illustrated through four real-world examples: the rapid support provided for face mask testing during the COVID-19 pandemic, improving the safety of children’s products, developing and testing protective clothing for firefighters, and advancing the search for circular material solutions.
Our impact is created when expertise and new developments are applied in practice and generate real value. That is the essence of innovation. It happens when a company develops a safer product, introduces a more sustainable material, or gains access to a new market thanks to reliable test results. It is precisely at this intersection of knowledge and practical application that Centexbel makes a difference.
Pol Lombaert, CEO at Centexbel
Shaping the future of materials together
During the panel discussion, Driving Innovation and Shaping the Future, representatives from industry and the research and innovation community discussed the future of materials.
Changing regulations, sustainability, circularity, digitalization, and emerging technologies create opportunities, but they also present companies with increasingly complex challenges. Small and medium-sized companies, in particular, cannot always keep all the necessary knowledge, equipment, and expertise in-house.
Collaboration is therefore more important than ever. Innovation increasingly takes place within ecosystems in which companies, research centers, governments, and industry organizations share knowledge, expertise, and infrastructure.
Continuing to invest in knowledge and innovation
The event also addressed the position of industry and innovation in Flanders. In an international environment in which technology, regulations, and competition are evolving rapidly, continued investment in research, talent, infrastructure, and entrepreneurship remains essential.
Centexbel aims to continue serving as a link between research and industry. By translating scientific and technological knowledge into testing, certification, consulting, and practical applications, Centexbel helps companies innovate faster, produce more sustainably, and remain competitive. This support covers the entire journey, from an initial research or development question to testing, certification, and market introduction.
With 75 years of expertise as its foundation, Centexbel continues to look ahead and support companies in addressing the technological challenges and innovations of tomorrow.
“All our employees and partners can look back with pride on the journey Centexbel has made over the past 75 years. In the years ahead, we want to continue contributing to the competitiveness of the textile and plastics processing industries.”
Jan Laperre, former CEO and Chair of the Board of Directors at Centexbel
Two organizations, 75 years of expertise
Centexbel’s international growth gained new momentum in 2024 with the acquisition of VÚTCH in Slovakia. VÚTCH is also celebrating 75 years of history in 2026. Both organizations have their roots in the textile industry and today share the same ambition: to use their expertise to support companies through research, testing, certification, and innovation.
As part of the Centexbel Group, Centexbel and VÚTCH combine their experience and expertise to provide stronger international support to companies and help shape the future of the textile and plastics industries.
