Brussels, 20.12.24 – ECRN marked its 20th anniversary with a high-level debate at the European Parliament, bringing together industry leaders, policymakers, and regional stakeholders to discuss the urgent challenges facing the European chemical industry and to outline pathways for its competitive future. The event delivered a clear and urgent message: decisive action is needed to address rising energy costs, regulatory burdens, and global competition, while supporting the industry’s essential role in driving Europe’s green and digital transitions. In particular, the event emphasized that the upcoming Polish Presidency in 2025 represents a pivotal opportunity to place industrial priorities, particularly for energy-intensive sectors, at the top of the EU agenda. ECRN’s Position Paper, presented during the conference, serves as a roadmap for policymakers to strengthen the sector, safeguard jobs, and ensure Europe remains an industrial leader.
Key Takeaways:
- Energy prices must be addressed urgently: High energy costs are eroding Europe’s competitiveness. Speakers emphasized the need for affordable and reliable energy to support energy-intensive industries like chemicals, which are critical to Europe’s economy and innovation.
- Balancing sustainability and competitiveness: While the chemical sector remains committed to achieving climate neutrality, policymakers must align decarbonization targets with economic realities to prevent the relocation of investments to other global regions.
- Streamlining regulation and supporting SMEs: The chemical industry, particularly SMEs, faces overwhelming regulatory complexity. Participants called for simplified, harmonized policies to reduce administrative burdens and foster innovation.
- Collaboration and innovation as solutions: Regions such as Saxony-Anhalt, Catalonia, and Mazovia showcased success stories in fostering public-private partnerships, promoting circular economy practices, and advancing green technologies.
- A call for structured dialogue: The conference endorsed the creation of a high-level working group comprising EU institutions, regional governments, industry leaders, and civil society to ensure coherent policies that support the chemical sector’s resilience and sustainability.
The event concluded with the presentation and the handed over to institutional representatives of the ECRN Position Paper, outlining concrete proposals to reduce energy costs, streamline regulations, accelerate innovation, and protect Europe’s market from external pressures.
About us
The European Chemical Regions Network (ECRN) is the voice of the chemical regions in Brussels. It represents local governments and other relevant actors from territories where the chemical industry is an integral and significant part of the local economy.
Media Contact:
Niccolò Mazzocchetti – policy@ecrn.net – www.ecrn.net
