400 business leaders send urgent call to Heads of State to implement the Clean Industrial Deal following high-level meeting with Commission President
One year after the launch of the Antwerp Declaration, 400 business leaders have reunited in Antwerp to discuss the just published Clean Industrial Deal with Commission President, Ursula von der Leyen. Ahead of the European Council meeting in March, industry is now calling on EU Heads of State to take urgent action across all EU Member States without any delay.
– We appreciate the Commission President taking the time to join us today in Antwerp to present the Clean Industrial Deal. Nine out of ten calls of the Antwerp Declaration have been addressed. We need to transform Europe’s ambition ‘to be’, into a determination ‘to do’. Every day, Europe is falling behind its goals, and is losing quality jobs for our current and future generations of workers. In the turbulent times we are in we need bold action from the European Leadership, said Ilham Kadri, President of ICCA and Cefic, and CEO of Syensqo.
Europe’s industries are facing historical challenges: declining demand, stalled investments, reduced capacity, and EU gas prices at 4-5 times higher than its competitors. Between 2023 and 2024, Europe’s manufacturing output – a sector employing over 31 million people – dropped another 2.6%. While for the chemicals industry – the industry of industries – Cefic’s recent study emphasised the severity, with over 11 million tons of capacity announced to be closed between 2023-2024, affecting 21 major sites.
– Ursula von der Leyen is well aware of the challenges faced by the industry. The 2030 emission reduction target of 50 percent remains in place, providing businesses with predictability. The Commission considers access to financing crucial – not only capital financing but also public funding – which is why a €100 billion Decarbonization Bank is being established to accelerate investments in the clean transition. Simplifying regulation is another pillar, and today, two Omnibus packages have been introduced, modifying, among other things, the requirements of the CSRD and CSDDD. Small businesses will be granted exemptions from CBAM, commented Mika Aalto, Director General of the Chemical Industry Federation of Finland, who attended the event in Antwerp.
– Lowering energy prices is the third priority. High prices are due to Europe’s dependence on fossil energy sources. Much lower and more predictable prices are needed. As part of this, a well-functioning gas market, more energy networks, and increased clean energy, as well as faster permitting processes, are required, Aalto said.
To overcome these challenges, back in February 2024, 73 business leaders presented the Antwerp Declaration to Commission President, Ursula von der Leyen and former Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo. The Antwerp Declaration lays out 10 concrete actions to restore the business case for investments, to implement Europe’s sustainability ambitions and safeguard quality jobs in Europe. It is now signed by over 1300 signatories.
– Reading the Clean Industrial Deal, we need the Commission to focus, prioritise the three key actions that improve our situation already this year and put all power, boldness and bravery in the European Commission behind these. And give us a realistic planning for the remaining actions. When we say actions, we mean action, not strategies, policies or plans. Leave no stone unturned and break all taboos. We need the situation to change, Marco Mensink, Cefic Director General.
Cefic calls on all new EU initiatives to be evaluated against the following criteria: Do they keep Europe safe and independent, reduce energy prices, ease the administrative burden on companies, attract investments to Europe, create markets for sustainable products, and safeguard quality jobs in Europe? If the answer to any of these questions is no, EU policymakers should reconsider and revise the proposal accordingly.
The Antwerp Declaration remains an urgent call to revitalise Europe’s industrial landscape. Europe’s industries stand ready to do their part and continue supporting policymakers in building a competitive, resilient and sustainable future in Europe amid shifting geopolitics.