Cécile Neven visited Engis, at the Knauf site, which is simply home to the largest plaster factory in the world.
A visit that very concretely illustrates the approach she champions within the Walloon Government: an environmental transition that strengthens our industry rather than weakening it.
For nearly 50 years, Knauf has been recovering phosphogypsum produced by the neighbouring company Prayon, long considered industrial waste, turning it into a raw material for plaster production.
Less transport, less dependence on imports and more value created in Wallonia: this is the kind of model that should be encouraged.
The site now employs 279 people and also hosts a research and development laboratory that is unique in Europe for the group.
For the Minister, the climate transition must be a lever for competitiveness, innovation and sovereignty. It cannot be built against our businesses or our industry.
The Knauf example shows that it is possible to produce better, reduce our environmental footprint and keep jobs and know-how here. This is the ecology of results that Cécile Neven wants to keep championing in Wallonia.