Flemish Govt. Backs Industrial-Synthetics Factory

RAPAPORT… A Belgian regional authority will invest EUR 2 million ($2.3
million) in a production facility for industrial synthetics.



The financial input from the government of Flanders will
help India-based Heyaru Engineering launch the lab-grown-diamond factory — its
first in Europe — in the city of Lommel. Heyaru will invest about EUR 24
million ($27.5 million) in the project. The hub will boost the local economy by
promoting innovation and creating employment opportunities, the government
said.


“Heyaru’s investment not only brings new jobs, the company
also wants to contribute to the development of a Flemish ‘knowledge cluster’ on
synthetic diamonds,” said Philippe Muyters, the Flemish minister for economy
and innovation.


The Antwerp World Diamond Centre (AWDC) welcomed the move,
adding that the facility would mainly produce diamonds for industrial and
technical uses. The move to Antwerp makes sense, AWDC noted, as the city
already specializes in cutting synthetic diamonds for high-tech industries.


Image: Diamond-tipped drill polishing metal. (Shutterstock)