Pioneers of the Green Process Industry
Interview with Frédéric Anthone, Chief Sales Officer of De Smet SA Engineers & Contractors
Whether it's a sugar factory, biofuel plant or a fermentation project for alternative proteins – wherever industrial processes are to be made more efficient, sustainable, and energy-saving, De Smet SA Engineers & Contractors is in demand. The Belgian company, headquartered in Mont-Saint-Guibert, has evolved over the last decades from a traditional plant manufacturer to an agile, globally active EPCM partner.
Wirtschaftsforum: Mr. Anthone, De Smet was founded in 1990. How has the company developed since then?
Frédéric Anthone: De Smet has its roots in the oil and sugar industry. Our origin lies in the development of processes for the extraction of vegetable oils – a typical field of Belgian engineering tradition. Early on, it became clear that our customers wanted more than just process equipment: They were looking for partners who could plan, build, and hand over complete factories on a turnkey basis. Thus, in 1990, De Smet SA Engineers & Contractors, or DSEC, was established. Today, we are much more than a plant manufacturer. We support projects from the initial concept study through detailed planning to commissioning – and we do this worldwide. Our DNA is in construction, but our thinking is that of a process integrator.
Wirtschaftsforum: In which areas is De Smet active today?
Frédéric Anthone: We serve five major sectors: sugar and ethanol, vegetable oils and derivatives, bio-based industries, alternative proteins, and agricultural nutrients. In the sugar industry - with customers like the Südzucker Group - we provide everything from the diffusion process to the refinery. In recent years, we have added bio-based chemicals, fermentation processes, and plant proteins. Furthermore, we plan and realize facilities for fertilizers and phosphoric acid - a sector we have expanded through the acquisition of De Smet Agro. Our strength is that we master all the processes, from solid preparation to fermentation, under one roof. This makes us interesting for customers who are looking for complete solutions.
Wirtschaftsforum: A focus seems to be on sustainability and energy efficiency. What does that mean specifically?
Frédéric Anthone: Sustainability is not just a buzzword for us, but a central part of every project. We work on defossilizing industrial processes, i.e., freeing them from the use of fossil fuels, while simultaneously increasing energy efficiency. This ranges from electrifying facilities, CO2 valorization, to renewable energies and heat recovery. We help our customers reduce energy demand and make their production future-proof - a topic that is becoming increasingly important due to volatile energy prices and climate goals.
Wirtschaftsforum: How does De Smet respond to market changes, such as the trend towards plant-based proteins or the circular economy?
Frédéric Anthone: We see ourselves as bridge builders between traditional industries and new bio-based markets. Our experience in sugar and oil processing helps us to industrialize fermentation and biochemical processes. An example is the project for CropEnergies in Germany, where we are building a facility for ethyl acetate based on bioethanol - a step towards a chemical industry without fossil resources. We are also involved in enzymatic recycling of plastics: For Carbios in France, we are constructing a facility where PET waste is broken down into its basic components by enzymes and reprocessed into new plastic. This is circular economy in action.
Wirtschaftsforum: What role does the new majority ownership by the French Parlym Group play?
Frédéric Anthone: The Parlym Group has been our majority owner since mid-2025. This partnership opens up new opportunities for us, especially in Africa, where Parlym has a strong presence. De Smet was very active there in the past – now, thanks to these synergies, we can again realize more projects on the African continent. Today, we employ about 450 people worldwide, including about 150 in Belgium, 50 in France, and 200 in our two offices in India - in Pune and Chennai. The Indian team plays a central role, especially in the area of detail engineering. The close integration between Belgium and India allows us to work efficiently globally while remaining flexible.
Wirtschaftsforum: What sets De Smet apart from major competitors?
Frédéric Anthone: Our agility. We are large enough to tackle complex projects with an investment volume of 50 to 300 million EUR, but small enough to remain flexible. Our teams are hands-on and do not work in silos. Here, engineers, purchasers, and site managers speak to each other daily. This direct communication saves time, avoids friction losses and leads to more economical projects. Moreover, despite the EPCM model, we give our customers guarantees on costs and schedules, which is rather unusual in our industry.