Brussels, 12 October 2018 - Cefic welcomes the Commission’s adoption of the new Bioeconomy Strategy. The bioeconomy is offering an EXCITING opportunity for the European chemical industry to CREATE NEW PRODUCTS AND diversify its raw material base. Cefic acknowledges that the Commission is on the right track with the three main action areas and its cross-policy focus approach. The time is ripe now is the right time to strengthen MARKETS AND UNLOCK  investments. The FURTHER mobilisation of public funding IN HORIZON EUROPE, in research and demonstration of bio-based solutions WILL SUPPORT THIS KEY TREND. For further information on the views of Cefic on Bioeconomy, you can refer to our Position Paper.

Brussels, 11 October 2018 - Amid the current international trade tensions, the European chemical industry renews its support for free and fair trade, and commitment to the rules-based, multilateral trading system as embodied by the World Trade Organisation (WTO). In this regard, the International Council of Chemical Association (ICCA), the voice of the global chemical industry, has recently published a statement promoting global trade on chemicals and supporting a modernised and progressive WTO agenda. The stability of global economic governance lies in the modernisation of the WTO, to make it a relevant and effective guardian of trade rules and the multilateral system. Cefic supports in this regard the EU’s recent proposal to modernise the WTO covering rulemaking, regular work and transparency, and dispute settlement. In addition, we very much welcome the sustainability element of the modernisation proposal, as well as the recognition of the significant role of trade policy in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). As one of the largest and most diversified industries in Europe, the chemical industry plays an important role itself in actively contributing to the SDGs, as shown in Cefic’s latest Sustainability Report.

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Brussels, 26 September 2018 - Presenting its recommendations for a competitive Europe to a European Council Working Group last week, in the form of a manifesto, Cefic called on the European Commission to develop a strategy for the future of industry.  In a phone interview with POLITICO following the meeting, Cefic Executive Director René van Sloten said Cefic wanted the Commission to think ahead, to ensure that industry can continue to vie globally with its rivals. The Commission should develop a plan that “enables the industry to transform by creating a favourable business environment that stimulates innovation,” as well as monitoring the cumulative cost of different regulations on industry and prioritising competitiveness for industry in policymaking. “We’re committed to Europe, we want to continue to be active in Europe and continue making jobs and growth in Europe,” he said. “But for that certain conditions need to be fulfilled … it can only be done if you’re competitive.” Read our Manifesto for a Competitive Europe

A new report outlines the Europe’s Energy-Intensive Industries contribution to the EU Strategy for long-term EU greenhouse gas emissions reductions Brussels, 26 September 2018:  A new and integrated EU industrial strategy for energy- intensive industries is required to complete a transition to a low-carbon economy in the EU, according to the report released today by the Institute for European Studies (IES) - Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB) and. The report commissioned by eleven Energy-Intensive Industries(*) describes a combination of possible key solutions that will help them achieve significant emission reductions and at the same time remain competitive, innovative and pivotal in enabling the transition to a low-carbon economy. Having analysed more than 80 low-CO2 technology options  available for energy-intensive industries, the VUB/IES researchers have concluded that the following conditions need to be taken into account in designing an efficient EU industrial policy: An ambitious RD&I programme that addresses the main challenges towards competitive low-CO2 processes in energy intensive industries as well as adequate support for demonstration of advanced low-CO2 technologies to improve market readiness Globally competitive energy prices; including a sufficient, reliable and competitively priced low CO2 electricity supply to enable further electrification of industry   Financing mechanisms that help companies refurbish old industrial facilities and modernise production processes Support to the creation of industrial clusters and symbiosis as an important tool in improving resource efficiency and reducing CO2 emissions of industrial facilities Incentives to the use of public procurement and low-CO2 standards for products to develop the market for low CO2 products and processes taking an appropriate life cycle based approach into account Marco Mensink, Cefic’s Director General said: “This is a unique report, which, for the first time, gives a full overview of the carbon emission abatement options for all energy intensive industries together. The report was drafted in close cooperation with the European Commission and is a good basis for discussions with all other stakeholders to achieve a masterplan for industry in Europe. Having a coherent strategy for industry that takes into account specific challenges that our industry are facing would be extremely helpful in attracting investments to complete the transition towards low-CO2 technologies and processes.”  The report is the group’s contribution to the forthcoming EU Commission’s Strategy for long-term EU greenhouse gas emissions reductions. By integrating these conditions into the long-term EU GHG emission reduction strategy, the EU will be able to preserve the industry’s role as a provider of the economic growth in Europe and as enabler of the transition by supporting the industry’s potential to innovate. Notes to editor The contribution has been developed by the Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB) - Institute for European Studies (IES). It was commissioned by CEFIC, the European Chemical Industry Council, CEMBUREAU, the European Cement Association, CEPI, the Confederation of European Paper Industries, CERAME-UNIE, the Liaison Office of the European Ceramic Industry, EULA, the European Lime Association, EUROALLIAGES, the Association of European ferro-alloys and silicon producers, EUROFER, the European Confederation of Iron and Steel Industries, EUROMETAUX, the European non-ferrous metals association, Fertilizers Europe, the major fertilizer manufacturers in Europe, Fuels Europe, the European Petroleum Refining Association and Glass Alliance Europe, the European Alliance of Glass Industries Energy Intensive Industries (EIIs) represent more than 30,000 companies and directly employ more than 1.5 Million people. We are at the heart of the value-creation in Europe and we offer numerous and indispensable solutions enabling the transition towards a low-carbon and energy efficient society. Our sectors have made major efforts to reduce their carbon intensity and are quickly approaching the technical limits of current technologies. In 2015 our sectors directly emitted 665 million tonnes of CO2, which represents a reduction by 36% in comparison with 1990 levels. On 28 February 2018 at the third meeting of the High Level Group for EIIs, the Commission High Level Expert Group on Energy Intensive Industries endorsed our recommendations and concluded that our industries and the Commission services should develop a comprehensive masterplan for competitive, low carbon and sustainable energy-intensive industries.  Contact persons  Cefic Maria Linkova-Nijs - Media Relations Manager - +32 (0)2 676 73 28 - [email protected] Florie Gonsolin – Manager Energy & Climate - +32 (0)2 767 7266 – [email protected] CEMBUREAU Malgosia Rybak – Public Affairs & Media Manager - +32 (0)2 234 10 45 – [email protected] CEPI CERAME-UNIE EULA Eleni Despotou – EuLA Secretary General - +32 (0)2 210 44 13 – [email protected] Antonio Pavanello – Climate & Energy Adviser - +32 (0)2 210 44 14 – [email protected] EUROALLIAGES Iva Ganev – Director Energy, Climate and Raw Materials - +32 (0) 485 80 62 29 – [email protected] EUROFER EUROMETAUX Fertilizers Europe FuelsEurope Glass Alliance Europe (*) Cefic, the European Chemical Industry Council, CEMBUREAU, the European Cement Association, CEPI, the Confederation of European Paper Industries, CERAME-UNIE, the Liaison Office of the European Ceramic Industry, EULA, the European Lime Association, EUROALLIAGES, the Association of European ferro-alloys and silicon producers, EUROFER, the European Confederation of Iron and Steel Industries, EUROMETAUX, the European non-ferrous metals association, Fertilizers Europe, the major fertilizer manufacturers in Europe, Fuels Europe, the European Petroleum Refining Association and Glass Alliance Europe, the European Alliance of Glass Industries

Brussels, 14 September 2018 - Cefic will attend the EU Council Competitiveness & Growth Working Party meeting of September 17, along with a few other stakeholders. We are honoured to have been invited to this high-level meeting, where Cefic Executive Director René van Sloten will give a keynote address and present our Manifesto for a Competitive Europe   The Working Party is a preparatory body for the Competitiveness Council and the meeting will be attended by both Member State and European Commission representatives.

Brussels, 14 September 2018 - Cefic will attend the EU Council Competitiveness & Growth Working Party meeting of September 17, along with a few other stakeholders. We are honoured to have been invited to this high-level meeting, where Cefic Executive Director René van Sloten will give a keynote address and present our Manifesto for a Competitive Europe.   The Working Party is a preparatory body for the Competitiveness Council and the meeting will be attended by both Member State and European Commission representatives.

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Brussels, 29 August 2018 - Cefic welcomes the EC Horizon Europe proposal’s ambition to make Europe an unparalleled global innovation hub and recognition given to the innovative and enabling role of industry, by placing the pillar of the ‘Global Challenges & Industrial Competitiveness’ at the heart of the programme. The proposal is the largest European Union Research and Innovation programme so far with a proposed budget of approximately €100 billion for the period 2021 – 2027.  Announced in June, the proposed programme drives the EC’s ambition of making Europe an unparalleled global innovation hub. The three pillars in the programme reflect the Commission’s vision on the future of innovation in Europe. Open Science: Reinforcing and extending the excellence of the Union's science base Global Challenges & Industrial Competitiveness: Boosting key technologies and solutions underpinning EU policies & Sustainable Development Goals Open Innovation: Stimulating market-creating breakthroughs and ecosystems conducive to innovation Key for investment and growth of the European chemical industry is the Digital and Industry cluster in the Horizon Europe programme covering industrial processes development, (advanced) materials innovation, and new business model creation.   Cefic’s Horizon Europe Position Paper highlights that a future-oriented EU R&I Ecosystem requires a well-balanced combination and perfect orchestration of Innovation, Industry and Impact, under the guidance of excellence and directed by the Innovation Principle.

Brussels, 30 August 2018 - Last month the World Business Council for Sustainable Development launched its first sectoral roadmap, the Chemical Sector Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) Roadmap, alongside the United Nations’ High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development in New York City.  During the past year, nine of the world’s leading chemical companies, Cefic and the American Chemistry Council came together to “explore, articulate and help realise the unique potential of the chemical industry to leverage its influence and innovation to contribute to the SDG agenda”. The chemical sector roadmap identifies ten priority goals for the chemical industry and outlines 18 key opportunities where the sector can have a transformative impact across this agenda. The Roadmap offers a unique and collective vision for the sector on what the key impact opportunities to contribute to its most material SDGs and specific SDG targets are — from product innovation to process improvement through to innovative public-private partnerships. It also outlines tangible actions that the chemical sector may take to accelerate impact in the short-, medium- and long term in the run up to 2030 The roadmap serves also an invitation to others to get involved and to come up with “ideas on how to align projects or strengthen partnerships to accelerate SDG impact”. Read more