European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has presented a new initiative aimed at strengthening European industry while ensuring sustainability.
Speaking in Antwerp, she introduced the Clean Industrial Deal, a plan designed to lower energy costs, reform state aid rules, and ease administrative burdens for businesses.
A year after the last European industry summit at the port of Antwerp, von der Leyen returned with a strategy to help European businesses compete with their American and Chinese counterparts. Around 400 industry leaders and executives gathered for the event, alongside Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever and Flemish Minister President Matthias Diependaele.
“Too many barriers still hinder our European companies, from high energy costs to excessive regulations,” von der Leyen stated. “The Clean Industrial Deal will remove these obstacles and reinforce Europe's position as a competitive industrial hub.”
Boosting Industry While Meeting Climate Goals
The Clean Industrial Deal targets energy-intensive sectors and cleantech, positioning Europe for global competitiveness while progressing toward the EU’s goal of becoming a low-carbon economy by 2050. However, some critics argue the plan could weaken existing climate policies.
Among the key measures:
- Simplified state aid rules to encourage industrial growth.
- New sustainability criteria for public and private sector procurement.
- Accelerated electrification to reduce electricity costs.
Increased investment in renewable energy, with a target of 100 gigawatts of new capacity annually by 2030.
To support these efforts, the European Commission aims to mobilize €100 billion to promote sustainable industrial production. Additionally, new legislation will ease regulatory requirements by scaling back mandatory environmental and social impact reporting for businesses.
Why Antwerp?
Antwerp was chosen for its strategic industrial significance—it hosts Europe’s largest chemical cluster. The chemical sector, which relies heavily on energy-intensive processes, has faced severe challenges, with over 1,100 job losses in Belgium’s chemicals and plastics sector last year alone.
By launching the Clean Industrial Deal in Antwerp, the European Commission signals its commitment to revitalizing industries hit hardest by rising energy prices and economic pressures. Photo by © European Union 2019 – Source: EP, Wikimedia commons.