An update provided by the European Chemical Industry Council – Cefic.

Dear all,
In a marathon of a year, it’s the last stretch that counts. 7 months ago today, the Antwerp Declaration for a European Industrial Deal was merely a plan to put competitiveness back on Europe’s agenda. And when we look at the policy discussions in Europe today, we believe that our collective voice of 1,278 industry leaders across 25 sectors has undeniably made a significant impact.
We are pleased to share the latest updates on European competitiveness, specifically on Professor Mario Draghi’s competitiveness report and the announcement of the new College of Commissioners by President Ursula von der Leyen, who herself was present at the Industry Summit back in February.

Let’s start with the Draghi Report, setting a new political reality for European industry
We were humbled to read Professor Draghi’s report on the future of European competitiveness. Seeing how our industries’ concerns were heard loud and clear, “A Wake-Up Call”, thrust into political spotlight. What was once a set of issues raised by industry has now become a political reality that policymakers must address. As highlighted in the Antwerp Declaration, our call for an Industrial Deal has been echoed in the report, emphasising the urgent need for action on innovation, energy pricing, and geopolitical resilience.
The report acknowledges the structural challenges that Europe faces, and, crucially, it proposes a clear pathway for strengthening Europe’s industrial future. It is now imperative for policymakers to act, and all together we will continue to press for swift implementation of the recommendations, especially as these issues will be deliberated during the Informal European Council in November.

The new European Commission – giving a renewed focus on competitiveness
This week, President von der Leyen announced the new College of Commissioners for the 2024-2029 term. Notably, the new Commission is committed to driving Europe’s competitiveness, decarbonisation, and digitalisation agendas. Many of the Draghi report’s recommendations have been woven into the mission letters of the new Commissioners, reinforcing the alignment between the industry priorities and the EU’s strategic goals.
The new structure of the Commission promises a more coordinated approach, with key portfolios being strategically balanced to ensure that industry’s voice remains central to policymaking. Our teams have been busy analysing mission letters and preparing for the road ahead.
Needless to say, we are proud. The progress we have achieved together is truly remarkable. Today we remain cautiously confident, that the future of Europe can be made with industry, as we advocate for a competitive, resilient and sustainable Europe.
We will welcome these developments on social media, and we invite you to join us!
With this significant milestone, we will use this opportunity to reflect on Antwerp, welcome the developments and remind that we remain united and engaged in ensuring the ambitions of Antwerp remain high on the agenda. Please see here a social media card to support your team if you would like to join us.
Thank you for all the work you have done so far. Let’s keep going!

Best regards,
Marco Mensink
Cefic Director General