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Download the Cefic news 14/12/2017

EU chemical industry regains confidence following overall economic recovery

Cefic is expecting solid 3% growth of chemical output in the EU in 2017, driven by growing demand from customer industries. A slight deceleration to around 2% is forecast for 2018.

Responsible for 1.1% of the EU’s GDP and employing 1.2 million people, the EU chemical industry supplies virtually all sectors of the economy and is the third largest investor in EU manufacturing industries.

Cefic outlines future missions for shaping FP9

Building on its positive experience in Horizon 2020 and its position as a frontrunner in research and innovation, the European chemical industry is putting forward ideas for missions to be included in the future EU Programme for Research and Innovation– FP9 (2021-2028).

Cefic’s proposal is inspired by the UN Sustainable Development Goals - a recommendation in Pascal Lamy’s High-Level Group report “LAB – FAB – APP: Investing in the European future we want”, which forms the basis for the development of FP9 and its mission-oriented approach. Taking stock of the chemical industry contribution to the UN Sustainable Development Goals, Cefic wants to engage actively in the shaping of the future missions for innovation.

Key Enabling Technologies, crucial to success of future EU Research and Innovation Programme

The Key enabling technologies (KETs) concept is one of the most successful innovation initiatives in Europe and must remain a key element of the next EU Research Framework Programme to ensure it can accelerate change and benefit citizens.

That was the main message from the high-level debate organised jointly by SusChem, A. SPIRE and EMIRI on November 28, 2017 as part of the 9th European Innovation Summit.

EU-Mercosur trade talks: European chemical industry seeks tariff-free imports of bioethanol

Bioethanol is a key issue for the European chemical industry in the ongoing EU-Mercosur trade talks.

European chemicals and plastic producers want tariff-free imports of bioethanol for use as feedstock in the production of bio-plastics and other chemical products.

Social dialogue essential for worker protection, says MEP

Hosting an event co-organised by Cefic sector group Formacare, MEP Claude Rolin (EPP, Belgium) stressed the importance of involving social partners in discussions about worker protection.

The event, held on November 23, brought together representatives from the formaldehyde industry, downstream users, social partners and policymakers to discuss the complementarity between REACH and Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) legislation.

Single Market: Commission determined to step up enforcement at EU borders

On December 20, the Commission is expected to adopt a legislative initiative to address high rates of non-compliant products on the EU market.

The aim is to ensure EU harmonised rules, including REACH, CLP and downstream legislation, are respected by all businesses selling in the EU whether the products are manufactured inside or outside EU borders.

Companies asked to communicate their registration intentions for 2018

The Directors’ Contact Group (DCG) – a platform of the European Commission, ECHA and industry associations – recommends that companies communicate their REACH registration intentions clearly to the whole supply chain to avoid potential disruptions in supply after the May 31st 2018 registration deadline.

REACH Stakeholders Day 2018: ECHA seeks cost-sharing study

ECHA is seeking a case study on cost-sharing for its REACH 2018 Stakeholders’ Day, which it is organising in Helsinki on January 30-31st, 2018.

For its conference taking place on Day Two, ECHA is still missing a company to present best practice on REACH registration and “How to share costs” i.e. cost-sharing in SIEFs. Interested companies should get in touch directly with Veera Saari from ECHA.

Survey and workshop on overcoming barriers to lignin commercialisation

Cefic member companies with an interest in the lignin business are invited to share views on how to overcome barriers to lignin commercialisation by filling in a dedicated questionnaire. The results will be discussed at a dedicated workshop hosted by Cefic on 15 February 2018 in order to put forward a comprehensive document for communicating on future research and development, product specifications, procurement and other key issues for developing a thriving lignin business in Europe.

The initiative comes from the Lignin Ecosystem, known as the “Lignin Club”, which was created as a public-private platform for the companies from the forest and chemical industries and various end users of lignin. Cefic initiated its collaboration with the platform last September with the workshop “Overcoming barriers of lignin commercialisation”, organised jointly with Pöyry.

The expert workshop identified two main aspects which need to be addressed for supporting the European lignin markets:

  1. developing a lignin specification matrix, and
  2. enhancing the lignin value chain.

The outcome from the survey and the workshop on February 15 will contribute to both of them.

The deadline for sending your responses to the questionnaire is January 31, 2018

As a Cefic member you can submit your example of a sustainable solution to ChemistryCan.

Happy Holiday Season

And see you next year for more news.

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