AGP Executive Report

Smart Glasses Clampdown: Dutch eyewear chain Hans Anders suspended sales of Meta’s Ray-Ban smart glasses in the Netherlands and Belgium, citing privacy concerns after regulator warnings about camera-equipped devices in public spaces. Eurozone Inflation & Energy Strain: Eurostat put September eurozone inflation at 3.8% (energy inflation 18.8%), with Belgium estimated at 4.6%, keeping ECB rate pressure in focus. EU Diesel Emergency: EU governments moved toward releasing emergency diesel and crude from stocks after a G7 deal to ease supply and price stress, with Brussels coordinating via the Energy Union Task Force. Border Tech Push: The European Commission added €130m to expand drone and counter-drone funding for external border security, topping a broader €500m-plus effort. Composites Recycling Rule Change: Tech-Fab Europe backed the Commission’s plan to “greenlist” nonhazardous FRP composites waste shipments between member states to scale collection and recycling. Pharma Logistics Surge: LATAM Cargo reported a 150% jump in Europe–Brazil pharmaceutical transport in early 2026, driven largely by GLP-1 demand. Embedded Finance Map: Apideck launched an Embedded Finance Index tracking 6,000+ fintechs and 1,297 providers, highlighting compliance gaps around KYC. Belgium Defense Readiness: A Belgian official said Europe lacks resources for war or hybrid threats, pointing to long underinvestment even as spending targets rise. EV Charging Meets AI: Xeal unveiled Laitent, using idle EV charging capacity to power edge AI inference across 1,600 sites.

Aviation Disruption: Ryanair says it cancelled 1,000+ flights in September after a “collapse” in UK air traffic control, while also pointing to Belgium ATC strikes and volcanic ash from Mount Etna—sparking fresh scrutiny of reliability across European airspace. Belgian Security & Logistics: Brussels Airlines routes tied to Liberia and Sierra Leone face tougher scrutiny after Belgian customs stopped a woman in Anderlecht with 51kg of cocaine and investigators linked earlier cargo seizures to Brussels-bound operations. Aerospace & Defence Industry: Airbus support for the RAF A400M fleet is extended under a £190m deal, targeting higher daily availability (from 10 to 13 fully mission capable aircraft by end-2027) and sustaining 350+ UK jobs. Energy Prices: EU diesel hits a record average of €2.24/litre as governments roll out fuel and gas price measures; Belgium is among states reporting all-time peaks. EU Compliance: Brussels opens infringement steps over Spain’s failure to update electricity risk-preparedness plans, with Belgium also receiving additional formal notice. Telecom Cybersecurity: EU governments propose dropping a fixed 36-month deadline for replacing “high-risk” telecom equipment, after industry warned costs could reach €40bn. Defence Supply Chain: Spain, Belgium and Poland begin supplying 20mm ammunition for Ukraine’s drone fight.

Belgium in Defence & Industry: Belgian Defence Minister Theo Francken warned Europe is still short on hard-power and industrial capacity after years of “soft power” focus, as NATO spending rises and Brussels pushes defence-industry policies. EU Security & Cyber: Europol says it dismantled the KillSec ransomware group, believed run by a 16-year-old, after taking control of its leak site and blocking access to at least 110TB of stolen data. Steel & Trade: Global steel producers agreed a framework to tackle excess capacity, with Belgium among participating economies. Shipping & Connectivity: UNCTAD data shows China widening its lead in liner-shipping connectivity, underlining Asia’s dominance in port and service networks. Energy Costs: EU diesel hit a new record average of €2.24/l; Belgium reached €2.43/l. Transport Tech: Transoft Solutions launched InSTRATO, a web-based collaboration platform for transportation engineers, bringing AutoTURN Online swept-path tools into one workflow. Health Tech: Powerful Medical and corpuls will integrate AI ECG analysis into prehospital emergency workflows across Europe. Food & Agriculture: A drought impact study flags major potato losses in Belgium and neighbouring countries, with value losses running into hundreds of millions of euros.

Belgium–EU Industry & Policy: Brussels is watching fast-moving talks on EU car rules, with France and Germany edging toward a compromise that could reshape emissions flexibility and “Made in Europe” content requirements—key for automakers and EV investment. Public Health: Belgium’s autumn flu drive ramps up, with 2.9M+ vaccine doses expected for 2026–27 and mid-October roll-out prioritising higher-risk groups. Energy Costs: Fuel ceilings drop at the start of October, easing petrol, diesel and heating oil maximum prices for drivers and households. Digital & Telecom: Orange Belgium and Nokia showcased 50G-PON fibre speeds up to 50Gbps, alongside automation via Nokia’s Altiplano controller. AI in Healthcare: A Belgium-linked analysis finds multi-vendor AI adoption in radiology can deliver measurable efficiency gains across years of rollout. Security & Defence: Belgium will transfer three F-16s to Ukraine by year-end, while NATO pushes a quantum-ready roadmap for secure communications and sensing. Sustainability & Materials: Ghent Design Museum reopens with a new wing built from locally made “waste bricks,” turning municipal construction rubbish into low-carbon architecture.

Belgium Defence & Industry: Belgium will transfer three operational F-16AM/BM jets to Ukraine by 31 Dec 2026, as part of a wider 2026–2029 delivery plan, but a Wall Street Journal report warns maintenance delays in Belgium leave more than half of Ukraine’s F-16s unable to fly combat missions. Air Defence Procurement: Belgium also signed for NASAMS air-defence firing units to protect strategic sites from cruise missiles, drones and low-altitude threats, with interim capability targeted from 2027. EU Emergency Comms: The European Commission proposed a Critical Communication System for first responders, aiming for secure cross-border links from 2030. Energy & Security Pressure: Russia launched a major strike on Ukraine’s electricity network ahead of winter, while Belgium’s Theo Francken warned of a “dark winter” with more Russian hybrid actions—calling for faster production and scaled air defences. Food & Consumer Policy: EU-backed research suggests “plant-based” messaging may backfire versus promoting taste, seasonality and locality. Tech & Regulation: EU consumer authorities probe video game firms over virtual currencies and potential user-rights issues. Climate & Manufacturing: Reazn plans CO2 capture at its Belgian zinc plant using CarbonCloud tech, targeting up to 8,000 tonnes/year.

Belgium Defence & Security: Belgium’s defence minister Theo Francken warns of a “dark winter for Europe”, citing longer-running Russian hybrid warfare and the need to speed up air defence and stockpiles, including against jet-powered drones. Air Quality & Health: A Copernicus CAMS analysis says heat, wildfires and dust pushed ground-level ozone to extremely high levels for about 40% of the world’s population in early 2026, with major fire events including in Belgium. Industrial Tech & Automation: Avnu Alliance and OPC Foundation team up to align testing and certification for OPC UA FX over TSN, aiming at multi-vendor interoperability for industrial automation. Logistics & Connectivity: Opengear signs its first European distribution deal with Ingram Micro, expanding access to network resilience services across 20 markets including Belgium. Energy Transition: European heat pump sales rose 11% in H1 2026 across 12 countries (including Belgium) as gas-price pressure and lower electricity taxes boosted demand. Consumer & Retail: Beauty brand rhode expands into Sephora across 19 European markets, adding Belgium and Luxembourg. Circular Materials: goplasticpallets hits a 3,000-tonne recycling milestone, shipping plastic pallets to Belgium for conversion into new products.

Belgium Inflation Watch: Belgium’s consumer prices jumped to 4.69% in September, the highest since May 2023, driven by energy costs (energy inflation 24.37%) and higher motor fuel, gas and electricity prices. Defence & Industry: Ukraine says it is setting concrete October targets to improve interception of Russia’s jet-powered drones, while Zelensky also points to strengthened F-16 capabilities and prototypes to counter “Shaheds”; Belgium is cited as pledging three F-16 jets by year-end. Fintech & Payments: Belgian stablecoin infrastructure firm Venly won the Mastercard For Fintechs 2026 Belux trophy, aiming to help fintechs add stablecoin accounts, conversions and payouts via one API. Corporate Moves: Lakefront Biotherapeutics reported share repurchases under its buyback programme (106,060 shares bought between Sept 21-25). Food & Cocoa Strategy: Barry Callebaut expands its gourmet push to rebalance its portfolio amid structural cocoa challenges, shifting more weight toward bakery, inclusions and ice cream. Logistics & Rail: A rail market discussion flags barriers for foreign entrants, naming Belgium and France, and argues for investment support to scale cross-border rail freight.

Belgium–Africa Trade & Industry: A delegation of 15 Walloon companies is heading to Botswana to explore new cooperation under Vision 2036, with focus areas including sustainable agriculture, water tech, energy, industrial engineering, digital traceability and mobility. Rail Tech & Certification: Universal Signalling (with Ferrocene) is working on the first Rust-based railway certification package aligned with EN 50716, aiming to create a certification pathway for safety-critical rail software. IT & Critical Infrastructure Resilience: Opengear has signed its first pan-European distribution deal with Ingram Micro, expanding access to its out-of-band management portfolio across Belgium and neighbouring markets. Cosmetics Safety Testing: AsedaSciences and Wepredic will integrate Eurosafe non-animal cosmetics safety screening services into the 3RnD platform for France, Belgium and Switzerland. Energy & Transport Pressure: Belgium-linked cross-border fuel behaviour is rising as Dutch motorists spend more in Germany and Belgium, while broader European fuel-price strain continues to shape business and consumer decisions. EU Budget & Legal Risk: Belgium is highlighted in the ongoing legal fight over frozen Russian assets at Euroclear, as courts across Belgium and Europe weigh control and next steps for Ukraine financing. Maritime Skills & Networks: WISTA International’s president Elpi Petraki is strengthening Nordic and Baltic maritime ties through visits focused on maritime education, technology and leadership.

Belgium Corporate & Finance: Nyxoah appoints Liam Kelly as CEO from 1 October, replacing Olivier Taelman, as the Mont-Saint-Guibert medical tech group doubles down on its U.S. commercial push after FDA approval and the launch of Genio. EU Industry & Defence: EU member states back the first five European Defence Projects of Common Interest, with €325m from the European Defence Industry Programme to scale drones, maritime defence, space security, air-and-missile defence and Eastern Flank protection. Belgium Logistics & Manufacturing: Cordiant Digital Infrastructure reports AI-driven demand for digital infrastructure services, with portfolio revenue up 20.2% year-on-year (constant currency) and GPU-as-a-Service contracts signed across its network. Belgium Energy & Food Supply: FEFAC warns the EU feed sector faces a 2026-27 soybean meal shortfall risk (at least 5m tonnes) as drought, Black Sea disruptions and the EU Deforestation Regulation collide, urging an urgent EU contingency plan. Belgium Business Leadership: Richemont names Yanina Novitskaya (Cartier exec) as Delvaux CEO from 1 December, aiming to strengthen the Brussels luxury leather brand’s international growth. Belgium Tech & Healthcare QA: IBA launches the QUASAR Penta-Guide Performance Phantom, designed to let clinics run 25+ imaging and machine QA tests in one setup to streamline radiotherapy quality assurance.

Port & Logistics Deal: A.P. Moller Capital has agreed to buy a majority stake in Belgium’s Euroports Group, teaming up with SFPIM and PMV to back long-term growth in bulk and breakbulk terminals plus Euroports’ Manuport Logistics. Autonomous Mobility in Antwerp: Port of Antwerp-Bruges will showcase scaled-up autonomy at the second Autonomous Summit, including an autonomous container truck project and demonstrations of remote-controlled rail and inland shipping. Energy Transition & Industry Costs: A Transport & Environment analysis says diesel price spikes tied to the Iran war are making electric heavy trucks cheaper to own and run in key EU markets, including Belgium, though charging infrastructure still slows adoption. EU Greenwashing Rules: The updated EmpCo anti-greenwashing law (in force Sept. 27) bans vague “green/eco” claims, tightens “climate neutral” wording, and requires independently verified substantiation plans. Belgium Water Stress: Belgium is heading for its worst drought since the 1970s, with most regions facing rainfall deficits and drinking-water production risks. Healthcare Tech Rollout: Tandem Diabetes Care’s Tandem Mobi automated insulin delivery system is now available in Belgium and 11 other countries. Renewables Investment Pulse: A survey finds business leaders across Germany and nine other EU states want more renewables investment to cut import dependence and energy price shocks. EU Diplomacy Budget Tension: EU budget talks raise the risk of shrinking the global network of EU delegations, a concern for smaller member states.

EU Energy Crunch: EU Energy Commissioner Dan Jørgensen warns the bloc isn’t short on gas but faces a price crisis, urging countries to keep cutting gas and electricity use ahead of winter as storage sits around 70% and LNG competition could push prices above €100. Industrial Decarbonisation: Brussels set final rules for a €1bn EU industrial heat auction under the Innovation Fund, backing electrification, direct renewables and (new) nuclear heat tech with fixed-premium support for up to five years. Belgium Defence Procurement: Belgium ordered three TRIDENT boats for Ukraine to deploy Exail’s K-STER C mine-clearing drones, worth €9.9m, for 24 months. Belgian Logistics & Automation: Skechers will expand in Liège with a major automated footwear distribution centre, partnering with KNAPP for a facility handling up to 10m pairs a month. Belgian Public Health & Waste: After Belgium’s nitrous oxide ban, branded canisters still litter Brussels, with cylinder crushing causing costly waste-management shutdowns. EU Food Markets: EU finished pig prices recovery is slowing as disease risks and heat-linked production constraints weigh on supply. Tech & Consumer Electronics: Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold8 series tops consumer tests in Belgium and the Netherlands, earning “Best of Test” ratings.

Belgium Security & Industry: A Belgian university professor, Damien Ernst, was assaulted by Antifa radicals during a lecture at the University of Liège over his military AI research, with a group claiming responsibility and accusing him of collusion with the arms industry. EU Credit & Competitiveness: Moody’s affirmed the EU’s Aaa long-term rating with a stable outlook, citing strong finances and institutions while flagging energy-price volatility and public spending pressures. Energy Watch: The European Commission warned EU states to prepare for a potential winter energy price crisis tied to supply disruptions linked to the Iran conflict, urging higher gas stocks and demand reduction. Consumer Pressure: Euronews Business reports food prices rose far faster than minimum wages across much of Europe, squeezing purchasing power for low-paid workers. Tech & Consumer Electronics: Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold8 series topped foldable phone tests in Belgium and other European markets, while Alldocube expanded its compact 8.4-inch 90Hz Android tablet (iPlay 80 mini Pro) to more Eurozone countries via Amazon. Digital Infrastructure: A report highlights growing debate over data-centre “digital sovereignty” in Europe, including concerns about electricity and cooling water use.

EU Energy Watch: The European Commission warned member states of a potential winter energy price crisis tied to supply disruptions after the Iran conflict, urging higher gas stockpiles and demand cuts. EU Industry Policy: Brussels’ Competitiveness Council meeting focused on industrial renewal, energy costs, AI integration, and Chips Act 2.0, alongside merger-control guideline updates. Energy Market Rules: The Commission opened infringement proceedings against 18 countries (including Belgium) for incomplete electricity market rule transposition, and separately targeted 26 states over hydrogen and decarbonised gas rules. Belgium Business & Telecom: Orange Belgium reshuffled leadership (Christophe Dujardin to RTBF CEO; Jeroen Degadt to chief enterprise officer), while Telenet ended mobile services under Tadaam and launched a new portable broadband plan; Monizze added NFC meal-voucher payments. Tech & Manufacturing: Belgian developer Jos Dehaes released YSERVER 1.6, a Rust-based modern X11 server update aimed at thin-client and multi-user setups. Cycling Spotlight: Belgium’s “message in a bottle” tactic surfaced ahead of the UCI Road World Championships, where Demi Vollering won the women’s elite race.

Belgian Defence & Security: Belgium ordered three TRIDENT vessels to launch K-STER C underwater mine-countermeasure drones for Ukraine, with a €9.9m contract awarded to Exail Robotics Belgium. EU Industrial Policy: The European Commission set terms for a €1bn industrial heat auction (IF26), using ETS revenues to fund process-heat decarbonisation, with bidding expected to open in early December. Energy Storage & Batteries: EnerVenue started production at the world’s first high-volume line for its aqueous metal cell, targeting 250 MWh in phase 1 and scaling to multi-gigawatt-hour levels. Brussels Trade Tensions: Brussels is pushing Britain to align with tougher China trade steps, warning it could otherwise face higher costs and “made in Europe” barriers. Belgian Alcohol Industry: Belgian brewers are fighting a planned change to health warnings on alcohol ads, arguing it blurs responsible drinking and abuse. Space & Tech: Space Applications Services confirmed its LUVMI-M lunar rover for a 2029 south-pole mission aboard Blue Origin’s Blue Moon.

Belgium Space & Industry: Space Applications Services (Zaventem) says its LUVMI-M lunar rover will head to the Moon’s south pole in early 2029 on Blue Origin’s Blue Moon Mark 1, positioning Belgium for a fully operational commercial rover mission. PFAS Cleanup Push: IBA will coordinate LIFEDESTINY, a new EU LIFE project to demonstrate scalable, lower-cost PFAS destruction across contaminated soils, water and waste streams. Port & Trade Logistics: Belgium’s envoy to Manila highlights the EU–Philippines free trade deal as a boost for Port of Antwerp-Bruges-linked shipping and logistics, stressing the need for faster capacity, digitised customs and stronger feeder connections. Right to Repair Enforcement: The European Commission starts infringement steps over incomplete “right to repair” transposition, including Belgium, as the rules expand to indoor heating appliances. Energy Market Watch: Brussels says EU gas supply is stable for winter despite storage below historical averages, with close monitoring by the Gas Coordination Group. Belgian Business Moves: Bnode announces CEO change at Radial North America ahead of its transition to Paxon North America. Belgian Spotlight in Global Supply Chains: HB Antwerp will downsize Botswana operations after failing to secure rough diamond supplies from ODC.

Fuel Shock in Focus: UK diesel prices are nearing £2 a litre as a global supply squeeze tightens refined-fuel availability, with disruptions in Russia and reduced Middle East shipments pushing up costs for hauliers, farmers and businesses. Belgian Industry Update: Delvano, a Belgian sprayer maker that went bankrupt, has had its factory acquired by Depoortere, which will keep the site for growth (not sprayer production), retaining some staff. Brewing Row: Belgian brewers are fighting a proposed change to alcohol health warnings, arguing the wording fails to clearly separate alcohol abuse from moderate drinking. EU Industrial Policy: Brussels is pushing a “Made in Europe” definition for companies getting public support, but France wants stricter rules, while Belgium and others back an “open” approach that still includes trusted partners. Energy & Power: Eurostat data shows renewables generated 54.1% of EU electricity in Q2 2026, but growth is slowing. Medical Innovation: The European Commission granted marketing authorisation for NEZGLYAL® (leriglitazone) as the first EU pharmacological treatment for childhood cerebral adrenoleukodystrophy. Ports & Logistics: PSA International is expanding its offer beyond terminals to connect deepsea, rail and inland logistics with digital platforms for more resilient cargo journeys.