Bel Fibres: A circular company investing in the future
Bel Fibres was founded 25 years ago by two recycling enthusiasts who envisioned sustainable entrepreneurship that combines economic prosperity with environmental awareness. Based in Saint-Ghislain, the company collects paper and cardboard from customers and partners, sorts the materials, and recycles them into bales. These bales are then sold directly to paper and cardboard mills in Belgium, Europe, and Asia.
By establishing itself as the leading paper and cardboard recycler in Wallonia, Bel Fibres has created a remarkable circular economy ecosystem over the years.
From Uncertainty to Success!
Today, Bel Fibres is a key player in the Belgian recycling sector. As the leading recycler in Wallonia, the company recovers over 30% of the region’s collected paper and cardboard, totaling nearly 280,000 metric tons of waste per year.
However, this success has not always been so certain. In 2003, while still in its development phase, the company was devastated by a fire that destroyed all its facilities. Thanks to its resilience and the determination of its management team, the company was able to continue its business activities despite the magnitude of the challenges it had to overcome. During this critical period, IMBC played a decisive role in providing the financial support needed to meet liquidity requirements while awaiting payment of insurance claims.
“IMBC’s support was crucial during this difficult period. Their commitment enabled us to get through this crisis and keep our business going. Thanks to their support, rapid assistance, and understanding of our urgent financial needs, we were able to bounce back and keep moving forward. IMBC has been a key partner in our resilience and our ability to overcome this difficult challenge,” explains Marielle Gommans, Director of Bel Fibres.
Following this, IMBC continued to support Bel Fibres, supporting its development through several investments. This financing, primarily in the form of unsecured venture capital loans, was crucial in supporting the company during its growth phase.
“IMBC has been a long-standing partner to our company. They have been by our side for over 20 years, and this relationship has been a key factor in our development. IMBC understands our challenges, and their ability to take calculated risks has enabled us to achieve several important milestones in our growth. Thanks to their constant support, Bel Fibres has been able to diversify, increase its production capacity and position itself as a key player in the recycling industry,” Johan Scholiers concludes.
This success story is perfectly in line with IMBC’s investment strategy and the missions of its new subsidiary, IMBC.FiVE.
