Cefic: the Chemical Industry Action Plan is a vital step forward

The European Commission Chemical Industry Action Plan marks an important and timely first step towards strengthening the competitiveness and resilience of the European Union’s chemical industry. It represents a serious effort from the European Commission to reverse the current downward trend affecting what is widely regarded as the “industry of industries” in Europe. This is the position expressed by Cefic – the European chemical industry council – in a statement highlighting that the announced measures send a signal to investors that goes beyond mere support. The plan includes tangible actions that set a strategic direction for EU policymakers, aimed at reducing energy costs, easing regulatory complexity, and supporting the transformation of the sector.

To limit the ongoing wave of plant closures and the chemical deindustrialisation of the European region – particularly given that 5% of the continent’s chemical capacity was shut down in 2023 - coordinated action by Member States is now urgently needed to turn this signal into results. Each day of inaction further weakens European industry.

According to Cefic, the Chemical Industry Action Plan is a much-needed signal of support, following its own calls for action to safeguard Europe’s most strategic industries. For the European chemical industry council – the solution is known: the Antwerp Declaration. It is now essential to act collectively and quickly to restore competitiveness and resilience. There is no strategic independence, no climate neutrality, no energy transition, and no clean tech transformation without the European chemical industry. 

“We thank President Ursula von der Leyen, and Executive Vice Presidents Stéphane Séjourné, Teresa Ribera, and Commissioner Jessika Roswall for their continued leadership. The plan is a make-or-break moment for our industry and we are glad that our calls for action have been heard. The combination of the Chemical Industry Action Plan,  the Clean Industrial Deal State Aid Framework and the announced review of the EU ETS State Aid guidelines with the aim to include more chemical sectors is a gamechanger to lower electricity costs for industry in Europe. Now we need swift implementation and strong political coordination across the EU to turn this momentum into results. We look forward to the actions being delivered and further clarified, and stand ready to engage”, said Ilham Kadri, Cefic President.

“It is crucial to see the Chemical Industry Action Plan in the wider context of announcements of the European Commission. The chemical industry omnibus, the ECHA founding regulation, the clarity on chemical recycling, the future of Hydrogen in Europe, the focus on critical chemicals, the greening of VAT and the simplification of REACH are all key building blocks for a better future. Lowering gas prices is an area that should not be forgotten. Many measures will be announced in other policies, adjacent to the Action Plan. We look forward to additional announcements and the dedicated chemical industry package at the end of this year. The review of the EU ETS directive in 2026 is another decisive moment for the future of energy intensive industries in Europe”, added Marco Mensink, Cefic Director General.