The European Committee of the Regions’ ECON Commission held an important exchange of views today on the European Chemicals Industry Action Plan. The discussion focused on the future competitiveness of the chemical sector, its strategic role for Europe’s industrial resilience, and the responsibilities of local and regional authorities in implementing the new measures.
Rapporteur Frederiek Vermeulen (EPP/BE), Member of the Council of the Municipality of Ichtegem, underlined the urgency of territorial implementation:
“The chemical sector is the industry of industries, and Europe cannot afford to lose it. Transformation does not happen in Brussels; it happens in our ports, our clusters and our regions. If we want a real industrial future for Europe, we must act now and shape it from the bottom up.”
Pehr Granfalk, Member of Solna Municipal Council, stressed the need for affordable energy and harmonised rules: “Without reliable and fairly priced energy, our chemical industry simply cannot stay competitive. At the same time, we must avoid a patchwork of different rules across the EU. Clear, predictable and harmonised standards are essential if we want a strong single market instead of internal competition and fragmentation.”
Pablo Gustavo Broseta Dupré, Vice-minister for Representation to the European Union and the Spanish Autonomous Regions, Government of the Region of Valencia, highlighted regional strengths and cooperation: “In Valencia, we host a diverse and dynamic chemical ecosystem, from polymers and fertilisers to pharmaceuticals. Our universities train hundreds of engineers every year who contribute across Europe. By working together through networks such as the European Network of Chemical Regions, we can turn this Action Plan into concrete projects, new investments and quality jobs in our territories.”
The chemical industry represents 96% of Europe’s manufactured goods, providing over 1.2 million direct jobs and supporting strategic value chains including pharmaceuticals, microchips, batteries, plastics, agriculture, and construction. Yet declining production, high energy costs, increasing imports, and complex regulatory requirements have raised urgent concerns.
Regional representatives welcomed the Action Plan’s priorities — resilient production, affordable energy, decarbonisation and circularity, innovation, and regulatory simplification — while urging a strong place-based approach and a concrete regional role in the upcoming Critical Chemicals Alliance, due to be launched at the end of 2025.