Scientific research and development: the largest employers in Antwerp province
As of 14 Nov 2026, 37 companies in Scientific research and development (NACE 72) in Antwerp province report employees in recent accounts (financial year 2025). The 10 largest employers account for 2,954.3 FTE, out of 3,034.3 for all of them; median headcount is 3.2 FTE. Vlaamse Instelling voor Technologisch Onderzoek leads with 969.8 FTE (financial year 2025).
Top 37 · Scientific research and development · Antwerp province
Ranked by average headcount (FTE) reported in the latest filed accounts (accounts less than 3 years old).
| # | Company | Total assets | Revenue | Equity | FTE | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Vlaamse Instelling voor Technologisch Onderzoek 2400 Mol | €256.2m | €88.2m | €88.8m | 969.8 | 2025 |
| 2 | Basf Belgium Coordination Center 2040 Antwerp | €215.4m | €627.4m | €105.9m | 555.7 | 2025 |
| 3 | Instituut voor Tropische Geneeskunde 2000 Antwerp | €68.1m | €21.1m | €36.2m | 454.9 | 2025 |
| 4 | LabCorp 2800 Mechelen | €36.1m | €64.2m | €26.0m | 254.5 | 2025 |
| 5 | CellCarta 2610 Antwerp | €60.5m | €79.9m | €25.9m | 242.7 | 2025 |
| 6 | Biocartis 2800 Mechelen | €61.8m | €48.2m | €37.2m | 205.6 | 2025 |
| 7 | Lakefront Biotherapeutics 2800 Mechelen | €3.34bn | €1.10bn | €3.15bn | 172.9 | 2025 |
| 8 | Etherna Immunotherapies 2845 Niel | €12.8m | €8.79m | −€3.91m | 52.1 | 2025 |
| 9 | Proefbedrijf Pluimveehouderij 2440 Geel | €8.63m | — | €3.94m | 23.5 | 2025 |
| 10 | Normec Micro-Smedt 2200 Herentals | €1.75m | — | €1.08m | 22.6 | 2025 |
| 11 | Vlaco 2800 Mechelen | €1.45m | — | 712,425 € | 9.7 | 2025 |
| 12 | Indar 2340 Beerse | €1.20m | — | 490,192 € | 8.9 | 2025 |
| 13 | Pathosense 2500 Lier | €1.21m | — | 157,114 € | 7.3 | 2025 |
| 14 | Allegro 2020 Antwerp | €6.30m | — | €3.25m | 6.7 | 2025 |
| 15 | ImmuneSpec 2845 Niel | €3.54m | — | €2.64m | 5.7 | 2025 |
| 16 | Instituut Born-Bunge voor Wetenschappelijk Onderzoek VZW 2610 Antwerp | €12.2m | — | €12.1m | 5.6 | 2025 |
| 17 | HERA 2800 Mechelen | €1.94m | — | 320,416 € | 5.5 | 2025 |
| 18 | MedImprove 2640 Mortsel | €2.26m | — | 301,052 € | 3.3 | 2025 |
| 19 | Amynas 2570 Duffel | 54,895 € | — | −272,136 € | 3.2 | 2025 |
| 20 | Antwerp Labs 2018 Antwerp | 177,426 € | — | −263,142 € | 3.0 | 2025 |
| 21 | Meclinas 2820 Bonheiden | 478,356 € | — | −321,650 € | 2.7 | 2025 |
| 22 | IDRO 2100 Antwerp | 234,400 € | — | −309,664 € | 2.5 | 2025 |
| 23 | Exentra 2600 Antwerp | 262,727 € | — | −16,054 € | 2.3 | 2025 |
| 24 | Calidris Bio 2020 Antwerp | 506,792 € | — | −114,480 € | 2.1 | 2025 |
| 25 | Clintrial-Net 2930 Brasschaat | 141,506 € | — | 61,546 € | 2.1 | 2025 |
| 26 | Dr. Van Haeringen Polygen 2390 Malle | 63,230 € | — | 8,744 € | 1.9 | 2025 |
| 27 | Studiecentrum voor Vlaamse Muziek 2018 Antwerp | 564,308 € | — | 528,804 € | 1.2 | 2025 |
| 28 | Huis Corpus Sanum Tongerlo 2260 Westerlo | 278,454 € | — | 78,186 € | 1.2 | 2025 |
| 29 | Brein Instituut 2610 Antwerp | 974,856 € | — | 958,242 € | 1.0 | 2025 |
| 30 | Vascular Research Center Bonheiden 2270 Herenthout | 159,871 € | — | 66,964 € | 1.0 | 2025 |
| 31 | ImmuneWatch 2000 Antwerp | 173,740 € | — | −30,203 € | 1.0 | 2025 |
| 32 | InCorDev 2260 Westerlo | 366,801 € | — | −318,802 € | 0.9 | 2025 |
| 33 | Grand Medical (Europe) 2845 Niel | 135,260 € | — | −€1.43m | 0.4 | 2025 |
| 34 | Aquature Technologies 2020 Antwerp | 122,734 € | — | 63,998 € | 0.3 | 2025 |
| 35 | Dr. Vera Vankeerberghen 2431 Laakdal | 769,643 € | — | 760,446 € | 0.2 | 2025 |
| 36 | Dr. Sprenghers Jan 2260 Westerlo | 577,577 € | — | 204,054 € | 0.2 | 2025 |
| 37 | Future Proof 2460 Kasterlee | 4,667 € | — | −45,632 € | 0.1 | 2025 |
Ranking based on each company's own annual accounts (statutory, not consolidated): a subsidiary and its parent appear separately, and the ranking differs from lists based on consolidated group accounts. Headcount reported by the company for all its sites: the jobs may be located elsewhere.
“—”: not published. Small companies (micro and abridged accounts) do not have to publish their revenue.
Scientific research and development across Belgium → All sectors · Antwerp province →
Other sectors · Antwerp province
- 01 Crop and animal production, hunting and related service activities552
- 02 Forestry and logging16
- 10 Manufacture of food products602
- 11 Manufacture of beverages28
- 13 Manufacture of textiles46
- 14 Manufacture of wearing apparel34
- 16 Manufacture of wood and of products of wood and cork, except furniture; manufacture of articles of straw and plaiting materials123
- 17 Manufacture of paper and paper products43
- 18 Printing and reproduction of recorded media133
- 20 Manufacture of chemicals and chemical products117
- 21 Manufacture of basic pharmaceutical products and pharmaceutical preparations26
- 22 Manufacture of rubber and plastic products80
- 23 Manufacture of other non-metallic mineral products131
- 24 Manufacture of basic metals43
- 25 Manufacture of fabricated metal products, except machinery and equipment494
- 26 Manufacture of computer, electronic and optical products68
- 27 Manufacture of electrical equipment51
- 28 Manufacture of machinery and equipment n.e.c.162
- 29 Manufacture of motor vehicles, trailers and semi-trailers42
- 30 Manufacture of other transport equipment18
- 31 Manufacture of furniture121
- 32 Other manufacturing172
- 33 Repair, maintenance and installation of machinery and equipment227
- 35 Electricity, gas, steam and air conditioning supply32
- 37 Sewerage21
- 38 Waste collection, recovery and disposal activities91
- 39 Remediation activities and other waste management service activities16
- 41 Construction of residential and non-residential buildings915
- 42 Civil engineering250
- 43 Specialised construction activities2,768
- 46 Wholesale trade3,357
- 47 Retail trade3,469
- 49 Land transport and transport via pipelines805
- 50 Water transport88
- 51 Air transport13
- 52 Warehousing, storage and support activities for transportation574
- 53 Postal and courier activities56
- 55 Accommodation186
- 56 Food and beverage service activities2,791
- 58 Publishing activities71
- 59 Motion picture, video and television programme production, sound recording and music publishing activities119
- 61 Telecommunication23
- 62 Computer programming, consultancy and related activities1,218
- 63 Computing infrastructure, data processing, hosting and other information service activities73
- 64 Financial service activities, except insurance and pension funding692
- 66 Activities auxiliary to financial services and insurance activities567
- 68 Real estate activities867
- 69 Legal and accounting activities945
- 70 Activities of head offices and management consultancy804
- 71 Architectural and engineering activities; technical testing and analysis546
- 73 Activities of advertising, market research and public relations289
- 74 Other professional, scientific and technical activities101
- 75 Veterinary activities83
- 77 Rental and leasing activities164
- 78 Employment activities171
- 79 Travel agency, tour operator and other reservation service and related activities78
- 80 Investigation and security activities23
- 81 Services to buildings and landscape activities496
- 82 Office administrative, office support and other business support activities239
- 84 Public administration and defence; compulsory social security13
- 85 Education173
- 86 Human health activities871
- 87 Residential care activities138
- 88 Social work activities without accommodation277
- 90 Arts creation and performing arts activities125
- 91 Libraries, archives, museums and other cultural activities21
- 92 Gambling and betting activities13
- 93 Sports activities and amusement and recreation activities277
- 94 Activities of membership organisations87
- 95 Repair and maintenance of computers, personal and household goods, and motor vehicles and motorcycles289
- 96 Personal service activities546
Municipalities with the most companies in the sector · Antwerp province
Frequently asked questions
Which is the largest employer in Scientific research and development in Antwerp province?
Among companies, Vlaamse Instelling voor Technologisch Onderzoek, with 969.8 full-time equivalents reported (financial year 2025).
Are all the jobs located in the area?
Not necessarily: headcount is reported by the company for all its sites, and the company is ranked by the address of its registered office. 37 out of 156 companies in the sector report employees there.
Why does this ranking differ from other lists?
It uses each company's annual accounts as filed with the National Bank, not consolidated group accounts. A holding, a subsidiary or a purchasing entity can therefore appear separately. Only companies whose latest accounts are less than 3 years old are ranked.
Analyse companies · Antwerp province
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Open the full file →Active companies (legal entities) that have filed at least one set of annual accounts, based on the Crossroads Bank for Enterprises and the National Bank of Belgium. The sector is the main activity in the register; the municipality is that of the registered office. Data updated on 14 Nov 2026.