Belgian Firm Campine Accused of Aiding Russian Military via Sanctioned Chemical Exports

Belgian company Campine has recently become the subject of allegations surrounding its potential circumvention of European Union sanctions on Russia. According to Ukrainian officials, the company, which specializes in the production of antimony trioxide, has been involved in exporting the product to Russia through intermediary countries, despite EU sanctions on such exports, Belgian outlet DeMorgen reported on August 8.

Campine, based in the Belgian town of Beerse, has experienced a remarkable rise in business in recent years, mainly due to a Chinese export ban on antimony and derivatives. The company became the world's largest producer of the product, and its stock price has soared, benefiting from high demand and favorable market conditions, DeMorgen writes.

However, Ukrainian investigators have raised concerns that Campine may have violated EU sanctions. The company is said to have continued exporting the sanctioned metal oxides through countries like Belarus, Turkey, and Uzbekistan, which then re-exported the product to Russia.

In 2024, Russia imported more than 1,000 tons of antimony oxides, worth approximately $18.6 million, with a significant portion coming from Belgium, DeMorgen claims.

The product, antimony trioxide, has both civilian and military applications, including in batteries, solar panels, fireproofing materials, and even military uses such as in infrared-blocking tents. Ukrainian authorities fear that the continued supply of antimony to Russia may have strengthened the Russian military's capabilities.

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Campine, on the other hand, insists that it has acted in good faith and complied with regulations. The company claims that it has implemented measures to prevent its products from reaching Russia, such as having distributors sign statements pledging not to export to Russia or Belarus.

However, following inquiries from De Morgen journalists, Campine conducted an internal investigation and discovered that in May 2024, the Uzbek firm Market Data Group, owned by a Russian citizen, ordered 80 tons of antimony trioxide from Campine. The correspondence related to this order mentioned the Russian company VitaChem, which has direct contracts with manufacturers of ammunition and military equipment in the Russian Federation. The order was placed through a distributor.

As Ukrainian authorities urge the Belgian government to investigate the matter, the issue highlights the challenges of enforcing sanctions and ensuring that European companies do not inadvertently aid in violating international laws.

Olena Yurchenko, Director of Analytics, Research, and Investigations at the Economic Security Council of Ukraine, added that the organization has also submitted its research to the competent EU authorities and proposes to include VitaChem in the next sanctions package.

“We do not want to engage in a witch hunt against the Belgian company, but we call for an independent investigation by the Belgian authorities and ask customs to monitor such deliveries more closely,” she said.

Previously, it was reported during a special event organized by Ukraine’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs for honorary consuls and Ukrainian ambassadors, representatives of the Main Intelligence Directorate (HUR) showcased captured Russian weapons and numerous Western-made electronic components still making their way into Russia despite international sanctions.

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