Innovation and a supportive EU policy framework, the duo that unlocks industry’s potential to go through the “double twin” transition
The European chemical industry faces a double twin transition, including the challenges of climate neutrality, circularity, digitalisation, and the implementation of the Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability (CSS). The only way to navigate this transition is through innovation”, stressed Daniel Witthaut, Cefic’s Executive Director for Research and Innovation, during the 12th annual NPD & Innovation in the Chemical Industry, organised by the European Networking Group in Berlin.
“Europe has one of the most demanding frameworks in the entire world. It is challenging for industry, but it can also offer a competitive edge” confirmed Kristin Schreiber, Director Ecosystems at DG Grow, European Commission. Inspired by the resilience shown during the COVID-19 outbreak, and all the supply chain disruptions – now again being tested with the Russian invasion of Ukraine – the European Commission sees the Transition Pathway as a holistic way to help industry to adjust in the short, medium and long term.
The EU legislation has a significant impact on the future development of the chemical industry. The Safe and Sustainable-by-Design approach, for example, as a key element of the CSS, can become a mobilising power that creates a strong business case and steers innovation. “We see the CSS as an opportunity to help guide us in identifying priority areas for innovation, given that we cannot do all at once” said Witthaut. “For innovation to be truly successful and for European industry to achieve technology leadership, we need a policy framework that can help us accelerate industrial transformation, make good use of resources, and be competitive”, he continued. “Digital support with predictive tools for data analysis and data sharing could also play an important role in innovation projects”.
Jens-Christian Blad, Senior Vice President Corporate Development at Lanxess Deutschland agreed that it is necessary to have an investment-friendly regulatory framework. “Europe is quite innovative. But when moving to the next step of commercialisation and to scale this up, there is a gap” he said.
A holistic approach is needed to capture the essence of all the policy challenges the industry is facing, not only coming from the CSS, but a comprehensive view on what needs to be done in innovation for Europe to be more competitive, resilient, and sustainable.
