The European Chemical Regions Network (ECRN) member regions gathered together for the annual ECRN’s General Assembly to define the objectives and actions of the Network in 2021. Bio-based chemistry, plastics and chemical recycling will be the policy priorities for ECRN this year. The network also decided to join the European Circular Plastics Alliance and to held a high-level conference next June on the upcoming opinion of the Committee of the Regions on the new EU chemicals strategy for sustainability.
“The ECRN will continue to play an important role in Brussels and in the regions. The chemical sector will be one of the most significant pillars for the EU industrial recovery from the Covid pandemic. As a network of EU chemical regions, we must assure our stronger commitment to transform these huge possibilities in real opportunities for our territories.”underlined Mr. Fabrizio Sala, ECRN President.
Last year, ECRN worked on three key themes shaping the future of the EU chemical sector: hydrogen, bio-based chemical solutions and chemical recycling. The network prepared three policy papers expressing its vision and organised the conference “Building the Sustainable Chemical Industry of Tomorrow” to discuss challenges and opportunities for the green transition of the EU chemical industry and the role of regions. To continue the work, this year the Network will deepen its focus on: bio-based chemical solutions, plastics and chemical recycling. By focusing on these policy areas, the Network will act as a cooperation platform to address regional challenges, share projects and ideas, connects with partners and raise new opportunities. Of particular interest to ECRN regions is tackling the issue of cross border waste transportation that often occurs as a challenge in new pilots and activities in the field of plastics recycling.
From 2021, ECRN will also join the Circular Plastics Alliance and become its first region-based member. Joining the Alliance will provide ECRN with the opportunity to take active part in the EU policy debate and better represent its members interests.
The next big appointment for ECRN is next June when the network plans to organise an high-level conference on the upcoming opinion of the Committee of the Regions (CoR) on “Safe and sustainable chemicals for a toxin-free environment in Europe’s cities and regions”. Last January ECRN already participated in the CoR consultation on the EU Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability, organised by Mr. Adam STRUZIK, President of Mazovia Region, member of ECRN and rapporteur of the opinion. In June 2021, together with Mazovia region, the Network will organise a conference to present the opinion and look at how regions can help deliver the strategy.
Finally, ECRN will continue to held online workshops and webinars to present new regional initiative and disseminate information regarding the EU legislation and projects. The next workshop on “Introducing the BSAT: Bioeconomy Strategy Accelerator Toolkit” will the organised in the framework of the POWER4BIO project on the 30th of March.
ECRN IS GROWING
The ECRN is open for new members and invites interested Eu regions to join the Network. If you would like to get in touch and know more about the ECRN and its activities please contact Ms. Monika Banka at office@ecrn.net
