WDK wants next German government to reverse ‘deindustrialisation’

Frankfurt, Germany - German rubber industry association the WDK has urged politicans forming the country's next government to adopt policies that support manufacturers and roll-back on deindustrialisation.

At an 18 Dec event titled ‘Industry matters – It’s all about industry’, WDK president Michael Klein set out the group's position for the upcoming German elections, following the collapse of the Scholz government.

Key demands for manufacturers, as detailed by Klein, include significant cuts to bureaucracy, competitive energy costs, and additional measures to support production sites.

"Deindustrialisation of Germany has already begun,“ said Klein, warning that the next government should address the ‘long-known causes‘ and restore competitiveness.

"Suffocating" reporting obligations, continued the WDK president, have led to some companies creating full-time positions exclusively for the purpose.

“This is not value-adding, but decreasing the value," he said, calling for “a significant reduction” in documentation and verification obligations by companies.

Klein also called for lower energy prices and a critical review of the national CO2 pricing system, noting that industry needs affordable energy to succeed in delivering climate neutrality.

Furthermore, he cited a reduction corporation taxes, limits on the implementation of EU regulations and stronger market surveillance as necessary levers "to help Germany make a comeback."