In Antwerp yesterday, more than 500 industry leaders, factory workers and senior European policymakers came together to call for urgent action to address Europe’s deepening industrial competitiveness crisis.
The Antwerp Declaration Community warned that industrial sites across Europe are facing unprecedented pressure, driven by high energy and carbon costs, unfair global competition and falling investment. These challenges are already being felt across UK chemical manufacturing, where rising operating costs and global market pressures risk further site closures and job losses.
The Declaration sets out a focused package of Emergency Industrial Policy Measures centred on three priorities that mirror the concerns of UK chemical businesses; bringing energy and carbon costs down, restoring fair global trading conditions and strengthening demand for products made in Europe.
Steve Elliott, Chief Executive of the Chemical Industries Association, said:
“We may not be members of the European Union, but this agenda stretches across the whole continent. Today’s message from Antwerp is clear. There is no strong Europe without strong industry, and that applies just as clearly to the UK. Our sector is facing sustained cost pressures and increasing global competition, and without decisive action we risk losing the industrial capabilities that underpin so many supply chains essential to the UK’s economy, security and clean growth.”
He added: “The Antwerp Declaration provides a united call from European industry, and the UK must ensure its own policy environment keeps pace. Reducing energy and carbon costs, ensuring regulatory predictability and supporting investment will be critical if we are to hold on to the skilled jobs and advanced manufacturing base needed for the UK’s long‑term success.”
The Chemical Industries Association welcomes the ambition set out in the Antwerp Declaration and will continue engaging with UK Government and European partners to ensure the conditions are in place for the chemical sector to invest, compete and lead the clean transition.
Read the Antwerp Call to Action
