On 4 March 2026, the Industrial Accelerator Act (IAA) proposal, published today, has the potential to accelerate industrial decarbonisation and strengthen resilience and competitiveness in Europe, especially for strategic sectors. Yet more is needed, particularly on the demand side, where public procurement provisions remain limited for the chemical sector. As discussions move forward, it will be essential to ensure that chemicals are fully in scope across the IAA, building on the work of the Critical Chemicals Alliance, so that the industry can realise the full benefits the IAA is intended to deliver.
Sylvie Lemoine, Cefic’s Deputy Director General commented:
“We welcome the leadership of the European Commission, and in particular Executive Vice President Stéphane Séjourné in delivering the IAA. The inclusion of chemicals in several key provisions recognises the strategic role of the chemical industry as the ‘industry of industries’. It responds to the sector’s call for concrete actions that strengthen the business case for producing in Europe, by providing a framework to accelerate and streamline permitting, mobilise markets in specific areas, unlock investment and deliver supply chain resilience alongside climate ambition. The focus must now shift to the effective delivery of the proposal, with chemicals fully in scope, building on the work of the Critical Chemicals Alliance, so that industry can fully benefit from the Act’s objectives.”