By officially launching the Critical Chemicals Alliance, the European Commission is not simply creating a new working group; it is bringing about a vital paradigm shift. I had the honor of attending this historic launch, marking Plastalliance's entry as a founding member of this strategic initiative.
I would also like to commend the organization of this event, which was brilliantly led by the Director-General of DG GROW, Kerstin Jorna, and her teams. Their expertise and leadership ensured that this launch had the operational and ceremonial dimension it deserved.
It is no longer a secret: the chemical and plastics industries are not problems to be solved, but solutions to be deployed. Without them, there can be no ecological transition, no digital autonomy, and no health security.
The tone for this new alliance was set by a striking speech from Stéphane Séjourné, Executive Vice President in charge of prosperity and industrial strategy. Far from the usual technocratic rhetoric, he spoke truthfully and expressed his support for our industries.
In a brilliant speech, he recalled a physical and economic reality that is too often forgotten: the chemical and plastics industries are the mothers of all other industries.
"If you are strong, Europe is strong." — Stéphane Séjourné
This sentence sums up the spirit of the Alliance. It marks the end of a certain European naivety. We finally understand that in order to have batteries, wind turbines, high-performance thermal insulation, packaging, or cutting-edge medical devices, we must control the upstream value chain.
Why is this Alliance critical?
The Critical Chemicals Alliance responds to an urgent need: securing the supply of chemicals that are essential to our society. The energy crisis and recent geopolitical tensions have revealed our vulnerabilities. Depending on third parties for critical molecules or polymers means surrendering our industrial destiny.
The objective is twofold:
- Strengthening strategic autonomy: Identifying and protecting the production of "building blocks" on European soil.
- Balancing competitiveness and sustainability: Proving that industry can be decarbonized without being deindustrialized.
The role of Plastalliance
As a founding member, Plastalliance represents the voice of a European sector of the plastics industry value chain that is ready to take on this challenge. Our presence at this high-level event demonstrates the recognition of the plastics industry as a key player.
Plastic is at the crossroads of transition. Whether it's making vehicles lighter to reduce emissions, preserving food to prevent waste, or innovating in construction materials, our members provide the very stuff of progress.
Being a founding member of this Alliance means committing to working hand in hand with the Commission to:
- Identify regulatory bottlenecks.
- Promote investment in chemical and mechanical recycling technologies.
- Ensuring that Europe remains a place of production, not just a consumer market.
Towards an "Industrial Deal"
Launch after launch, Europe finally seems to be sketching out the outlines of an "Industrial Deal" to accompany its Green Deal. Stéphane Séjourné's explicit recognition of the need for our industries is a strong signal.
For Plastalliance, this is just the beginning. We will be there, demanding, to transform this political will into industrial reality, so that the strength of our companies continues to be the strength of Europe.
