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News | 16-04-2024 | 13:00
In order to achieve the transition of the chemical industry from fossil raw materials to sustainable raw materials, policies need to be developed at the EU level. The Netherlands, France, the Czech Republic and Ireland called on the European Commission to present a set of policy options on sustainable carbon. Dutch Environment Minister Vivianne Heijnen handed a joint statement to EU Climate Action Commissioner Wopke Hoekstra in Brussels on Tuesday.
The chemical industry is a supplier of components for essential goods such as medicines, plastics, paints, mattresses and batteries. Currently, these products are mainly made from fossil raw materials such as oil and gas. Achieving circular and climate-neutral production by 2050 requires a switch to sustainable raw materials. These are reusable or renewable and have a lower impact on the planet.
Examples of reusable and renewable raw materials include recycled plastics, sugar beets, gases from gasified waste streams or wood chips as a basis for new plastics and other products. These raw materials can replace fossil raw materials, significantly reduce CO2 emissions and promote a circular economy. In this way, the Dutch and European chemical industry can become a world leader in green chemistry.
EU policy needed
We currently use far more raw materials than the planet can sustain. That’s why we are moving towards a circular economy. This means that we use raw materials over and over again and leave hardly any waste. The Netherlands also wants to be climate neutral by 2050.
Minister Henin said: “By switching from fossil energy to sustainable raw materials, we can take a big step towards both goals. But we don’t want to and cannot do it alone as a country. By addressing this issue at European level, we will be stronger and achieve both goals at the same time, circularity and CO2 emissions. That is why today we are advocating, together with France, the Czech Republic and Ireland, for European policies that effectively stimulate the use of sustainable carbon sources in the chemical industry.”
Minister Micky Adriaens (Economic Affairs and Climate Policy): “The chemical industry is indispensable for our medicines, paints, food and construction. We therefore want to keep this industry in the Netherlands and in Europe. In fact, we want the chemical industry to become a global leader in green chemistry. I therefore think it is important that we work to make this industry more sustainable while strengthening its competitive position by working together at the European level.”
Competitiveness
The overall European policy framework is also crucial to ensure the long-term competitiveness of the European chemical industry and reduce dependence on foreign (fossil) raw materials.
The EU policy package should help create markets, the availability of sustainable carbon and tools to enhance the competitiveness of the chemical industry.
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