The European Commission has launched the Critical Chemicals Alliance, part of EU efforts to boost the competitiveness, resilience and sustainability of Europe’s chemical industry.
The Alliance will hold its first general assembly, to be attended by EC vice-president Stéphane Séjourné, at a date that will be announced later.
The aim of the Critical Chemicals Alliance is to address key challenges facing the sector, including the risk of plant closures, trade disruptions, and the urgent need for investment in critical production capacities.
Among its first deliverables, the Alliance will:
- Establish criteria to identify critical chemical productions and molecules that are essential for the EU economy and strategic sectors;
- Map these critical molecules to enable enhanced trade monitoring and early-warning functions, including through the EU Customs Surveillance System;
- Support coordinated investments by aligning EU and national funding tools and helping Member States and industry to target key projects.
The Commission says the Alliance is open to all organisations active in the chemical industry, including companies, associations, investors, research bodies and civil society. Interested organisations can apply online by signing the Alliance’s Declaration, committing to actively contribute to its objectives.
All members can participate in the general assembly, which will meet at least twice a year to set priorities and adopt the Alliance’s opinions and recommendations. A Steering Board will coordinate the Alliance’s work and define its deliverables, while expert working groups will focus on specific thematic areas such as trade resilience, innovation, and sustainable production.
