Lenzing Supports EU’s Clean Industrial Deal, Urges Immediate Action
The Lenzing Group, a leading supplier of regenerated cellulose fibres for textiles and nonwovens, has welcomed the European Commission’s Clean Industrial Deal, aimed at fostering a sustainable, climate-neutral, and competitive industry. On February 26, 2025, in Antwerp, Belgium, Commission President Ursula von der Leyen discussed the initiative with 400 business leaders, including Lenzing CEO Rohit Aggarwal. Industry leaders are urging EU heads of state to implement immediate measures across member states ahead of the European Council meeting in March.
“International trade tensions, volatile energy markets and the need for decarbonization demand urgent collective action,” said Aggarwal. “The Clean Industrial Deal is a crucial step toward strengthening Europe’s net-zero industry, expanding green technology manufacturing, and enhancing industrial competitiveness. We must act now to turn ambition into tangible results.”
A key focus of the initiative is securing access to affordable and clean energy, essential for maintaining the global competitiveness of European industries.
Ilham Kadri, President of the European Chemical Industry Council (Cefic), emphasized the urgency: “Nine out of ten calls from the Antwerp Declaration have been addressed, but Europe continues to fall behind on its goals, losing quality jobs and investment. We need decisive action from European leadership.”
Europe’s industries are facing significant challenges, including declining demand, stalled investments and higher energy costs. Manufacturing output dropped by 2.6% between 2023 and 2024, while the chemical industry saw over 11 million tonnes of capacity closures, affecting 21 major sites.
In February 2024, 73 business leaders presented the Antwerp Declaration to von der Leyen, outlining 10 concrete actions to restore investment confidence, support sustainability ambitions and protect jobs. Now backed by over 1,300 signatories, the declaration remains a pressing call for action.
Cefic Director General Marco Mensink urged the European Commission to prioritize three key actions that can deliver immediate results, emphasizing that solutions must be action-oriented rather than policy-driven.
Cefic has also called for all new EU initiatives to be assessed based on their impact on energy prices, investment attraction and job security. If any proposal fails to meet these criteria, policymakers are urged to revise it accordingly.
Europe’s industrial sector stands ready to collaborate with policymakers to build a competitive, resilient and sustainable future amid shifting global dynamics.
