European Industry Calls for the Implementation of the Clean Industrial Deal

A year after the announcement of the Antwerp Declaration, 400 business leaders gathered again in Antwerp to discuss the newly published Clean Industrial Deal with the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen. Ahead of the upcoming March European Council meeting, industry leaders are urging EU heads of state to take immediate action without further delays.

Ilham Kadri, President of ICCA and Cefic and CEO of Syensqo, emphasized the urgency: “Nine out of ten demands of the Antwerp Declaration have been addressed, but now we must move from ambition to action. Europe cannot afford further delays, as it risks losing jobs and weakening its global market position.”

European industry faces major challenges: declining demand, halted investments, and energy prices that are 4-5 times higher than those of global competitors. In 2023-2024, industrial production declined by 2.6%, while the chemical sector announced the closure of over 11 million tons of production capacity, affecting 21 major plants.

Cefic calls on the European Commission to prioritize three key actions that can bring tangible results this year. Marco Mensink, Director General of Cefic, stated: “We need action, not strategies or plans. Move heaven and earth, break taboos. We need immediate change.”

The Antwerp Declaration remains an urgent call to revive the European industrial landscape. European industry is ready to collaborate and support policymakers in building a competitive, resilient, and sustainable European economy in an ever-changing world.