Annual Report 2025

Key milestones, innovations, investments, and impact from a year of growth and transformation
Banner-Annualreport
06 / 08 / 2026
Publications

Innovation that strengthens the future of textiles and plastics

2025 was a year of growth, innovation, and impact for Centexbel. Together with companies, universities, research partners, and policymakers, we continued to develop solutions that help the textile and plastics industries address some of today's most pressing challenges: circularity, sustainability, safety, material performance, and competitiveness.

From advanced recycling technologies and bio-based materials to smart medical textiles, sustainable packaging, and chemical safety, our research translated scientific knowledge into practical solutions for industry. In doing so, we strengthened our role as a bridge between innovation and industrial application.

Throughout the year, more than 2,150 companies relied on our expertise in research, testing, certification, training, and consultancy. Together with 364 partners, we contributed to 92 collective research projects that support the transition towards a more circular and resilient economy.

At the same time, we continued to invest in state-of-the-art infrastructure and equipment, enabling companies to accelerate innovation, validate new technologies, and bring sustainable solutions to market faster. 

Pol Lombaert

From fibre-to-fibre recycling and advanced packaging technologies to chemical screening and biodegradability testing, these investments strengthen our capacity to support industry today and tomorrow.

As Centexbel enters a new chapter under the leadership of CEO Pol Lombaert, our mission remains unchanged: helping companies innovate, grow, and prepare for the future. Together with our dedicated teams in Belgium and abroad, we continue building a strong, international, and future-oriented organization.

Pol Lombaert, 
CEO 

Publication

Annual Report 2025

AR-2025

This document showcases a year marked by scientific breakthroughs, impactful collaborations, and strategic investments—all aligned with our mission to support a more sustainable and circular textile and plastics industry.

 

© 2026, Pol Lombaert

More news

Banner-Polymer processing
27 / 10 / 2026
Patent news

Polymer processing aid for polyolefin compositions

The present disclosure relates to polymer processing aids for polyolefin compositions and the methods of using the same. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to polymer processing aids that are substantially free of fluorine-containing compounds and their use in polyolefin compositions, like in linear low density polyethylene compositions, in particular to produce blown or cast films.

Polymer processing aid for polyolefin compositions
Banner-Protective Clothing (1).
27 / 10 / 2026
Patent alert

Protective Clothing

This month's patent alert highlights recent innovations in protective clothing and specifically firefighter clothing systems. Protective clothing is a rapidly evolving field that combines textile engineering with the search for ultimate properties combinations, such as comfort and protection against different hazards. Centexbel plays a key role in both the testing and certification of protective clothing. 

Protective Clothing
Banner-75jaar_CEO
23 / 10 / 2026
Press

75Y 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.
 

75Y Centexbel
All news