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Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship and SMEs

Transition pathway for the chemical industry

In January 2023, the European Commission published the transition pathway for the chemical industry. The pathway is an actionable plan co-developed by the European Commission with EU countries, chemical industry stakeholders, NGOs and other interested parties. It identifies the actions and conditions needed to achieve the green and digital transition and improve resilience in the chemical industry, in line with the updated EU industrial strategy.

The chemical industry, the fourth largest industry in the EU, plays a key role in the European twin transition. Chemicals are present in about 95% of manufactured goods and are at the basis of Europe’s major value chains. In addition, the chemical industry is one of the largest CO2 emitters in the EU.

Therefore, the European Commission co-created the transition pathway for the chemical industry with stakeholders. It provides a list of more than 150 actions, grouped under 26 topics, to be implemented by the concerned stakeholders within an agreed timeframe.