In a blistering address at the Anverb Industrial Summit, CEFIC President Mr. Kamieth has delivered a searing indictment of the European Union, declaring that the root cause of its industrial decline lies within its own borders. He demands immediate, bold action to reboot the sector, citing alarming job losses and plant closures as evidence of a crisis spiraling out of control.
The summit, held amid growing unease across Europe, saw Mr. Kamieth scrap a prepared speech of platitudes, opting instead for unvarnished truth. He warned that the EU’s current strategies are failing, with industries lagging behind global rivals in innovation, speed, and cost competitiveness. This internal reckoning comes as factories shutter and workers face an uncertain future.
Key sectors are reeling, with the chemical industry alone witnessing a sixfold surge in plant shutdowns since 2022. Nearly 10% of Europe’s production base is at risk, leading to 20,000 direct job losses and ππ½πππΆππππΎππ 90,000 more indirectly. Mr. Kamieth emphasized this as a structural crisis, not a temporary dip, underscoring the human toll on families and communities.
Factory workers from across the continent attended the event, serving as a stark reminder of what’s at stake. βBehind every job stands a person, a family, a future,β Mr. Kamieth stated, urging leaders to move beyond summits and diagnoses to deliver real results. The pressure is mounting for the EU to act decisively now.
He pinpointed self-inflicted wounds from Europe’s regulatory and political choices, contrasting them with the approaches of competitors like the US, China, and the Middle East. βWe must benchmark Europe with the rest of the world, reduce anti-competitive regulations, and design new ones more efficiently,β he declared, calling for a pragmatic overhaul.
On energy costs, Mr. Kamieth advocated for immediate cuts to politically driven expenses such as grid fees and taxes. He highlighted how rising carbon costs are driving value chains offshore, proposing short-term adjustments to the EU’s Emissions Trading System (ETS) and reforms for its next phase. βCarbon costs must reflect global realities,β he insisted.
A reassessment of domestic resources is crucial, he argued, to prevent the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) from failing outright. This isn’t about dismantling systems but adapting them wisely to new challenges, ensuring they support rather than hinder industrial growth in Europe.
Strengthening the single market forms the second pillar of his call to action. A true capital union and swift trade agreements are essential for competitiveness at home and abroad. Yet, he stressed that free trade must be fair, with decisive responses to any imbalances that undermine European industries.
Global partnerships are vital, but Europe must not shy from protecting its interests. Mr. Kamieth warned that without these measures, the erosion of the industrial base will accelerate, eroding prosperity and the continent’s global standing.
The third key action involves boosting market pull for European-made products, especially green ones like low-carbon, bio-based, and circular goods. Currently, there’s little premium for these, making the business case for sustainability weak in Europe.
He called for smart fiscal mechanisms to create predictable revenue streams, incentivizing investments without veering into protectionism. βWe need to make future-proof industries competitive on a world scale,β Mr. Kamieth said, emphasizing the need for viable, long-term strategies.
Addressing EU leaders directly, he rejected external scapegoats like China or the US. βThe root cause lies within Europe itself, and so does the solution,β he asserted, motivating a shift from intention to impact. This message resonates as elections loom and public frustration builds.
The Anverb declaration, revisited at this summit, remains focused on safeguarding jobs and the industrial base. Initiatives since 2024 are steps in the right direction, but Mr. Kamieth deemed them insufficient, urging βway more effortsβ to restore investment and growth.
Europe’s hesitation in implementing bold solutions has prolonged the agony, with companies selling off assets and innovation stalling. The call is for urgency: energy costs down, markets strengthened, and incentives for green products established.
As the summit concluded, the atmosphere was charged with resolve. Mr. Kamieth’s words echoed the sentiments of workers and businesses alike, demanding that Europe awaken to its potential. The time for talk is over; delivery is imperative.
This breaking development signals a pivotal moment for the EU, where internal reforms could redefine its economic future. Leaders must heed this wake-up call, transforming rhetoric into rapid, tangible action to secure jobs, innovation, and prosperity for all Europeans.
The urgency cannot be overstated, as delays risk further decline and lost opportunities. With global competition intensifying, Europe’s path forward hinges on embracing the uncomfortable truths laid bare today. The world watches, and the clock is ticking.