During the 8th Voka Sustainable Business Day in Mechelen, SBE from Sint-Niklaas was announced on Thursday evening (23/10/25) as one of the five new Flemish sustainability ambassadors of the United Nations. From now on, the Waas engineering firm will serve internationally as an example for other companies striving for more sustainable operations.
With the Voka Charter for Sustainable Business, Voka – Chamber of Commerce Antwerp-Waasland has been helping companies take steps toward more sustainable operations since 2017. “Participating companies implement actions each year linked to the seventeen United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Companies that can demonstrate they have strategically embedded sustainability in their operations can qualify for the SDG Pioneer certificate. We award this in collaboration with CIFAL Flanders, the local hub of the UN training and research agency UNITAR,” explains Kaat Van Aelst, Sustainable Business Advisor at the Antwerp-Waas Chamber.
During the Voka Sustainable Business Day at Technopolis in Mechelen, 51 Flemish companies received this additional certificate. With AB Eiffage, GSJ Advocaten, Circet Belgium, and Noord Natie Terminals, four companies from the Antwerp and Waasland region were awarded the title of SDG Pioneer this year.
Companies that start a measurable change process with a lasting sustainability impact can be designated as SDG Champion. This year, that recognition went to the chocolate manufacturer ChocDecor from Lokeren, known for its Belfine chocolate figurines and lollipops, the only company from this region to receive the title.
Companies that take on a role model function in sustainability across their entire value chain and can convince an international jury may ultimately become SDG Ambassadors. The first Flemish SDG Ambassadors were honored two years ago. This year, SBE from Sint-Niklaas is the first company from our Antwerp-Waas region to achieve this prestigious certificate, having worked, for example, on a project developing self-sufficient tiny houses in Ethiopia.
“We believe that companies that want to move forward must strategically embrace sustainability. This is embedded in our vision: ‘building the world of tomorrow’. As designers of complex infrastructure projects, we have a responsibility to contribute to a future-proof society. Therefore, we approach every step of the design process from a sustainable perspective to create positive impact,” explains Jan Thomas, who leads SBE together with his brother Koen Thomas.
This text can be used as an official press release.
This appeared in the media.
- VOKA, 24/10/25 – Read the full interview with Karen and Joshua here
- VOKA 23/10/25 – Hoogste duurzaamheidsonderscheiding voor vijf Vlaamse ondernemingen
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