Last week I signed the #AntwerpDeclaration for a European #IndustrialDeal because I firmly believe that competitive industrial activity is at stake. And to bring about the innovation that is needed to make the Green Deal happen, we need industrial policy to make that possible. I firmly believe Europe can do it, but we have to get started.
Already 550 signatures and more than 395 companies out of 20 sectors: Now, for the first time, industry leaders from across the #EU have joined forces to voice their concern, calling upon policy makers to act. As the CEO of ALTANA AG, I am a committed signatory of this Antwerp Declaration, which was presented to EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Belgian Prime Minister Alexander de Croo.
Bringing together business and industry from 20 sectors across the EU, this is a joint call to action as pressing as it is historic, stating: "There is an urgent need for clarity, predictability, and confidence in Europe and its industrial policy to complement the EU Green Deal and keep high quality jobs for European workers in Europe."
That applies to the chemical industry in particular.
What we think needs to be done now is put together in the declaration’s ten core suggestions. While my fellow industry leaders and I are no policy makers, I do know from my daily experience that we will need the right mindset, commitment, finance, and - above all - perseverance.
Looking at ALTANA for example, we have always been strongly committed to an innovation culture put into practice by spending 7 percent of our annual revenue. Year after year. In good times and in bad times. That same spirit is also the foundation for our specialty chemicals production, labs and services across our more than 25 sites in the EU.
And I strongly believe that if we as a company can do it - thanks to gifted and committed colleagues working hard across the continent - #Europe can do it, too.
Antwerp Declaration 👉 https://lnkd.in/egUhKRgT
#ChemicalIndustry #GreenDeal #Innovation #WeAreALTANA
