Technological watch

Ahead of the European Council meeting on 17 July the EU chemical industry calls on the EU member states to urgently agree an EU Recovery Plan to restart Europe’s economy and kick off investments towards a green and digital transition. 

The COVID-19 crisis has become a timely reminder that Europe needs its own robust industrial capacity. The EU Recovery Plan can transform this crisis into an opportunity to build a more resilient European economy whilst delivering on the European Green Deal objectives. As a solution provider for a climate neutral and circular economy, the chemical industry will play a critical role in this transition.

Marco Mensink, Cefic Director General: “Our priority is to go through the green transition while strengthening our production capacity in Europe. This will only be possible if the EU keeps its industries competitive throughout the transition. This is why the EU Recovery Plan must be accompanied by a strong Industrial Strategy based on the European Green Deal vision. This will ensure that the recovery funding supports a resilient industrial transformation. It also means the upcoming Chemical Strategy for Sustainability needs to be assessed in full on its impact on the EU chemical industry.”

Together with other manufacturing sectors, the EU chemical industry has been hit by the current economic downturn, and our industry’s outlook remains highly uncertain.

In particular, the EU chemical industry calls for investments into building renovation, clean mobility,  development of all forms of clean hydrogen; chemical recycling, carbon capture and storage (CCS) and carbon capture and utilisation (CCU).

We equally welcome the new EU4Health programme that supports the relaunch of the EU production of Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients and strengthens procurement of vital medicines, medical devices and Personal Protective Equipment.

New investments into the collection, sorting and recycling of waste will help reduce Europe’s dependence on strategic secondary raw material imports and can promote innovative technologies such as chemical recycling, which will accelerate the transition to a circular economy.

Own resources should be earmarked to support the Circular Economy ambitions of the National Recovery Plans of member states, and not put additional burdens on businesses at a time when the Economic Recovery plan seeks, on the contrary, to support businesses.

The EU chemical industry encourages the European Council to swiftly agree on the EU Recovery Plan which is urgently needed for the restart of the European economy and for supporting the investments needed for the green and digital transition.

Source: CEFIC, press release, 2020-07-13.