Scientific research and development: the largest employers in West Flanders
As of 14 Nov 2026, 13 companies in Scientific research and development (NACE 72) in West Flanders report employees in recent accounts (financial years 2025 to 2026). The 10 largest employers account for 308.7 FTE, out of 310.7 for all of them; median headcount is 4 FTE. Institut Flamand de la Mer leads with 168 FTE (financial year 2025).
Top 13 · Scientific research and development · West Flanders
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 | Institut Flamand de la Mer 8400 Ostend | €27.0m | €1.86m | €18.2m | 168.0 | 2025 |
| 2 | Poulpharm 8870 Izegem | €15.5m | €17.0m | €2.17m | 106.0 | 2025 |
| 3 | Magnax 8500 Kortrijk | €18.7m | — | €15.8m | 6.7 | 2025 |
| 4 | DECOCK & Co 8920 Langemark-Poelkapelle | €1.31m | — | 143,791 € | 6.1 | 2025 |
| 5 | European Marine Board 8400 Ostend | €1.70m | — | €1.26m | 5.8 | 2025 |
| 6 | BiometrIQ 8500 Kortrijk | €1.65m | — | €1.11m | 4.1 | 2025 |
| 7 | APIX Biosciences 8750 Wingene | €5.89m | — | €1.08m | 4.0 | 2025 |
| 8 | Dokter Derous 8700 Tielt | €4.13m | — | €2.49m | 3.9 | 2025 |
| 9 | Dokter Siegfried van Eygen 8501 Kortrijk | 888,279 € | — | 463,244 € | 2.1 | 2025 |
| 10 | Dr. Lieven WOSTYN 8670 Koksijde | €3.05m | — | €2.70m | 2.0 | 2026 |
| 11 | Dokter Schelstraete Björn 8750 Wingene | €1.83m | — | €1.07m | 0.9 | 2025 |
| 12 | Dr. Verstraete – Dr. Ryckaert 8300 Knokke-Heist | €1.53m | — | 749,986 € | 0.6 | 2025 |
| 13 | Dokter Maarten Buyle - Neurologie 8890 Moorslede | 917,118 € | — | 572,954 € | 0.5 | 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 · West Flanders →
Other sectors · West Flanders
- 01 Crop and animal production, hunting and related service activities484
- 02 Forestry and logging16
- 03 Fishing and aquaculture54
- 10 Manufacture of food products528
- 11 Manufacture of beverages35
- 13 Manufacture of textiles217
- 14 Manufacture of wearing apparel39
- 16 Manufacture of wood and of products of wood and cork, except furniture; manufacture of articles of straw and plaiting materials136
- 17 Manufacture of paper and paper products32
- 18 Printing and reproduction of recorded media104
- 20 Manufacture of chemicals and chemical products64
- 22 Manufacture of rubber and plastic products94
- 23 Manufacture of other non-metallic mineral products129
- 24 Manufacture of basic metals32
- 25 Manufacture of fabricated metal products, except machinery and equipment553
- 26 Manufacture of computer, electronic and optical products42
- 27 Manufacture of electrical equipment51
- 28 Manufacture of machinery and equipment n.e.c.171
- 29 Manufacture of motor vehicles, trailers and semi-trailers45
- 30 Manufacture of other transport equipment16
- 31 Manufacture of furniture139
- 32 Other manufacturing69
- 33 Repair, maintenance and installation of machinery and equipment177
- 35 Electricity, gas, steam and air conditioning supply29
- 37 Sewerage14
- 38 Waste collection, recovery and disposal activities95
- 41 Construction of residential and non-residential buildings768
- 42 Civil engineering107
- 43 Specialised construction activities2,473
- 46 Wholesale trade1,891
- 47 Retail trade2,478
- 49 Land transport and transport via pipelines699
- 52 Warehousing, storage and support activities for transportation107
- 53 Postal and courier activities29
- 55 Accommodation356
- 56 Food and beverage service activities1,844
- 58 Publishing activities30
- 59 Motion picture, video and television programme production, sound recording and music publishing activities22
- 62 Computer programming, consultancy and related activities305
- 63 Computing infrastructure, data processing, hosting and other information service activities33
- 64 Financial service activities, except insurance and pension funding589
- 66 Activities auxiliary to financial services and insurance activities410
- 68 Real estate activities696
- 69 Legal and accounting activities577
- 70 Activities of head offices and management consultancy411
- 71 Architectural and engineering activities; technical testing and analysis385
- 73 Activities of advertising, market research and public relations109
- 74 Other professional, scientific and technical activities47
- 75 Veterinary activities58
- 77 Rental and leasing activities97
- 78 Employment activities76
- 79 Travel agency, tour operator and other reservation service and related activities63
- 80 Investigation and security activities12
- 81 Services to buildings and landscape activities363
- 82 Office administrative, office support and other business support activities124
- 85 Education92
- 86 Human health activities550
- 87 Residential care activities123
- 88 Social work activities without accommodation125
- 90 Arts creation and performing arts activities46
- 92 Gambling and betting activities12
- 93 Sports activities and amusement and recreation activities159
- 94 Activities of membership organisations34
- 95 Repair and maintenance of computers, personal and household goods, and motor vehicles and motorcycles181
- 96 Personal service activities270
Municipalities with the most companies in the sector · West Flanders
- 8300 Knokke-Heist (Knokke, Westkapelle)7
- 8500 Kortrijk6
- 8700 Tielt (Aarsele, Kanegem, Schuiferskapelle)6
- 8900 Ypres (Brielen, Dikkebus, Sint-Jan)4
- 8200 Bruges (Sint-Andries, Sint-Michiels)3
- 8301 Knokke-Heist (Ramskapelle)3
- 8400 Ostend (Stene, Zandvoorde)3
- 8800 Roeselare (Beveren, Oekene, Rumbeke)3
- 8870 Izegem (Emelgem, Kachtem)3
- 8970 Poperinge (Reningelst)3
- 8000 Bruges (Koolkerke)2
- 8210 Zedelgem (Loppem, Veldegem)2
Frequently asked questions
Which is the largest employer in Scientific research and development in West Flanders?
Among companies, Institut Flamand de la Mer, with 168 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. 13 out of 76 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 · West Flanders
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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.