Cefic calls for urgent and courageous actions from the new European Commission

Cefic, the European federation of the chemical industry, welcomes the new European Commission with a clear and urgent message: Europe’s chemical industry is at a breaking point, and decisive action is needed now. Without bold measures, the industry that has long been a cornerstone of Europe’s prosperity is at risk of further decline, jeopardising its future on the continent.

For the European federation the situation is critical. At two to four times higher than its competitors, energy prices in Europe are unsustainably high, and the EU’s regulatory system is too complex, slow, and often contradictory. These challenges make it exceedingly difficult not only to operate but also to transform in alignment with the Green Deal objectives. Investments and jobs are being driven away, while regions with simpler, faster, and more supportive frameworks eagerly take Europe’s place. This is not just a warning - it’s already happening.

“We call on you, our new European leaders, to take stock of the calls of Antwerp to help restore the business case for investments in Europe. We call on you to carefully assess the regulatory situation as well as the added value of all enacted policies before launching major new proposals. Our European chemicals industry and the 1.2 million workers that it directly employs, depends on you and are now watching you. Never before, our companies’ employees have paid so much attention to the decisions taken in Brussels. There should be no more plant closures and job losses as a consequence of Europe’s heavy, costly and slow system. We must work together quickly and efficiently to make Europe the best place to do business”, Marco Mensink (in the picture), Cefic Director General, said.

Cefic emphasises how the EU chemicals industry was one of the first sectors to come out in support of the EU Green Deal, and we remain steadfast in its ambition. Yet Europe’s future as an industrial leader depends on the choices made today. The Green Deal itself is at risk of happening outside the EU. The chemical industry is ready to support the Commission to deliver a resilient, sustainable, and prosperous Europe. Now is the time to act - before it’s too late.