More European industry leaders sign up to Antwerp Declaration

Brussels – The ‘Antwerp industrial declaration’ has gained further momentum with the support now of more than 500 industry leaders calling for an industrial deal to enhance European competitiveness.

First issued 20 Feb by 73 European corporate leaders, the declaration calls for ‘urgent concrete actions’ to “make Europe competitive, resilient, and sustainable in the face of dire economic conditions.” (ERJ report)

Two weeks later, the number of signatories has surpassed 500, according to a  4 March statement from the European Chemical Industry Council (Cefic).

The “remarkable milestone”, Cefic said, “clearly shows a unified call to urgently address pressing challenges facing European industries and workers today”.

The new signatories – from 20 sectors – represent “the highest-ranking officers” of more than 370 companies, nearly 120 associations, including trade unions, research institutes and universities.

The Antwerp declaration advocates for the industrial deal to be at the core of the EU's next strategic agenda, with a European Commission VP designated to oversee its implementation.

Key issues include addressing: regulatory inconsistency; public funding mechanisms; access to raw materials and energy; raw-materials security; innovation; and infrastructure development.

“Without a targeted industrial policy, Europe risks becoming dependent on basic goods and chemicals,” the chemicals industry body added.