The Commission presented the Clean Industrial Deal, a bold business plan to support the competitiveness and resilience of our industry on 26th of February, 2025. The Deal will accelerate decarbonisation, while securing the future of manufacturing in Europe
European industries are struggling with soaring energy prices and intense, often inequitable global competition, demanding immediate assistance. This plan leverages decarbonization, transforming it into a catalyst for European industrial growth. By providing clear direction and stability, it empowers companies and investors, reinforcing Europe’s dedication to a carbon-neutral economy by 2050, thereby boosting competitiveness. Driven by productive engagement with industry, social partners, and civil society through the Antwerp Declaration and Clean Transition Dialogues, the Commission is implementing measures to improve regulatory efficiency and reduce bureaucratic burdens for businesses.
The Deal focuses mainly on two closely linked sectors: energy-intensive industries and clean tech:
- Energy-intensive industries as they require urgent support to decarbonise and electrify. The sector faces high energy costs, unfair global competition and complex regulations, harming its competitiveness.
- Clean Tech is at the heart of future competitiveness and growth as well as crucial for industrial transformation. Circularity is also a central element of the Deal, as we need to maximise EU’s limited resources and reduce overdependencies on third country suppliers for raw materials.
The Deal presents measures strengthening the entire value chain. It serves as a framework to tailor action in specific sectors. The Commission will present an Action Plan for the automotive industry in March and an Action Plan on steel and metals in Spring. Other tailored actions are planned for the chemical and clean tech industry.
“Europe is not only a continent of industrial innovation, but also a continent of industrial production. However, the demand for clean products has slowed down, and some investments have moved to other regions. We know that too many obstacles still stand in the way of our European companies from high energy prices to excessive regulatory burden. The Clean Industrial Deal is to cut the ties that still hold our companies back and make a clear business case for Europe.”
President Ursula von der Leyen
For more information: https://commission.europa.eu/topics/eu-competitiveness/clean-industrial-deal_en
Author: Andy Cormack
