Press Release

These Are the Trailblazers of 2026

In Amsterdam on Thursday, the 71 FD Gazellen International awards for 2026 were presented. The prizes were handed out during Trends in Export, an event focused on doing business across borders. These companies are successfully expanding abroad. They achieved at least 25% revenue growth over the three years from 2022 through 2024. Additionally, foreign revenue accounted for at least 25% of total group revenue in 2024.

The Winner: VHB Groep

The winner of the FD Gazellen International Award is VHB Groep, which extracts metals from waste using self-developed separation installations. The jury quickly reached a unanimous decision.

VHB Groep impressed the jury for the third time. “The company has grown strongly internationally over the past three years, demonstrating market confidence and a clear strategic direction,” according to the jury report. “The combination of technology, scale, and international reach makes this model both sustainable and economically robust. This family business in the circular economy has a rich history of nearly a century and possesses a healthy dose of craftsmanship, innovation, and resilience.”