Nine actions to boost the EU chemical industry’s innovation leadership

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Innovation in the European Chemical Industry is a key success factor in ensuring Europe’s industry remains competitive, achieves the targets of the “Green Deal,” and strengthens Europe’s open strategic autonomy. Following up on our call for a “Smart Innovation Framework” in the Antwerp Declaration, Cefic presents a 9-point action plan that outlines the key steps policymakers and the EU must take to position the chemical industry as a global leader in innovation.

The chemical industry is at a critical juncture as we strive to  go circular, digital, climate-neutral, and transition to safe and sustainable chemicals, while remaining competitive. This ambitious goal requires a fundamental transformation of both how we produce and what we produce by 2050.  To make this transformation a success, it requires a supportive regulatory and policy framework.

Daniel Witthaut, Innovation Executive Director at Cefic, emphasises the urgent need for action from policymakers: “Innovation is the backbone of our industry’s transformation. By reducing administrative burdens and fostering collaboration across Europe, we can accelerate the development of breakthrough technologies. This not only strengthens the competitiveness of Europe’s chemical industry, but also ensures we meet the ambitious goals of the Green Deal.”

For Europe to remain a global leader in chemical innovation, policymakers must take decisive action to create an enabling environment for investment and innovation. As the EU faces an increasingly challenging investment climate and high energy costs, proactive measures are needed to streamline regulatory processes, incentivise Research & Development, and encourage the development of sustainable technologies.

Discover our 9 actions that outline the necessary steps the EU and policymakers must take to drive innovation in the European Chemical Industry.

1. Reduce administrative burden.
2. Prioritise pilot plant infrastructure, including co-location facilities, in the future Horizon Europe programme.
3. Foster EU-wide collaboration across industries and academia, supporting cross value chain initiatives and sufficient joint centres of excellence for Intellectual Property (IP) development and sharing.
4. Streamline funding applications with a focus on mature technologies and initial market entry.
5. Make sustainability and industry competitiveness strategic drivers for innovation and development of new technologies & products.
6. Implement effective and efficient market pull measures.
7. Establish clear standards on data sharing and calculation protocols.
8. Strengthen Europe’s innovation ecosystem to retain and attract talent through a collaborative approach among industries, startups, research entities, educational institutions, and funding bodies.
9. Promote innovation in the chemical industry as beneficial for society through public events and online platforms.

By implementing these actions, the EU can ensure that Europe’s chemical industry leads the way in sustainable innovation, driving both environmental progress and global competitiveness. The time to act is now – to create the regulatory landscape that fosters innovation and ensures a more sustainable future for Europe.