Summary
Cefic addresses the EU’s dependency on Russian energy, magnified by the Ukraine crisis, urging measures to diversify energy supplies, augment renewable energy deployment, and bolster energy savings. The chemical industry, a major energy consumer, faces significant risks from potential energy supply disruptions. Cefic emphasises the need for policy responses that mitigate negative impacts on EU competitiveness and citizens. They provide a quantitative analysis highlighting the chemical sector’s reliance on natural gas and oil-derived naphtha, advocating for coordinated, data-driven policy measures and medium-term strategies to reduce dependency on Russian energy.
Key Takeaways:
- The chemical sector is highly dependent on natural gas and naphtha, making immediate replacement unfeasible, with potential supply disruptions affecting broader EU value chains.
- Cefic recommends establishing a transparent task force for crisis monitoring, short-term supportive measures, and a medium-term strategy to diversify energy supplies.
- Long-term strategies should balance immediate crisis responses with sustained regulatory frameworks to support renewable and low-carbon energy adoption.