The Polish Chamber of Chemical Industry reminds that since the signing of the so-called Two years have passed since the Antwerp Declaration. In February 2024, representatives of 73 industry leaders from almost 20 European industry sectors called on the European Commission to prepare a comprehensive plan to strengthen the competitiveness of industry on the continent. The most important demands included, among others: increasing the EU's raw material security, developing innovation and ensuring access to cheap, low-emission renewable and nuclear energy.
— The document clearly indicates what conditions must be met so that the European industry, including the chemical industry, can be competitive and resistant to crises – says Tomasz Zieliński, president of PIPC, in an interview with PAP. As he adds, The European Commission has still not implemented 83%. assumptions of the Antwerp Declaration.
The European Commission launched, among others, Clean Industrial Deal, intended to reconcile the green transformation with maintaining competitiveness. However, according to PIPC the pace of change is insufficient, and the industrial sector is increasingly feeling the effects of geopolitical tensions and growing competition from outside the EU.
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Drastic decline in new investments
Based on data from the European Chemical Industry Council (CEFIC), PIPC indicates that from 2022, production capacity in the chemical industry with a total value of 37 million tonnes has already been closed in Europe. Meanwhile, the annual announced new investment capacity dropped from around 2.7 million tonnes in 2022 to just 0.3 million tonnes in 2025. – This means that Europe not only loses existing installations, but also does not build new production capacities – emphasizes PIPC.
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Brussels promises new initiatives
In February this year, representatives of the European industry met with the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, and the heads of government of Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany, France and Austria. — The involvement of so many countries may force the Commission to take specific actions, says Tomasz Zieliński.
The President of the European Commission announced the continuation of work on the Action Plan for the European Chemical Industry and the revision of key policies such as REACH, CBAM and EU ETS emissions trading system. Additionally, the Commission launched initiatives such as the Critical Chemicals Alliance and announced the Made in Europe project to support production and investment in the EU.
— The Alliance for Critical Chemicals is to determine which raw materials and products are key for the EU and must be protected, explains Zieliński. — In the case of Made in Europe, work on the detailed assumptions is still ongoing.
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The industry is waiting for specific support
According to the president of PIPC, the actions of the European Commission are too slow, and European companies are losing competitiveness against cheaper products from outside the EU that are not burdened with the costs of climate policy. — Industry in Europe is struggling to survive today, so it is difficult to think about implementing innovations or new technologies – comments Zieliński.
The president of PIPC emphasizes that during the last meeting in Antwerp, no new proposals for financial support for the industry were made, apart from the previously announced initiatives. – However, we hope that such proposals will appear in the near future – he adds.
The growing number of plant closures and the lack of new investments may threaten the EU's position on the global market in the long run. The industry expects specific actions and support from the European Commission that will help rebuild the competitiveness of the European industry.
