Europe's chemical powerhouse tells Brussels to go easy on new regulations
With some 18 million residents, the German state of North Rhine-Westphalia is not only larger than most EU countries, but also by itself the sixth-largest economy in Europe and a major hub for the chemical industry. It's state capital Düsseldorf is using that heft now.
'There are not many industrial centres this strong,' said Christian Democrat Hendrik Wüst, who governs the state, on a visit to Brussels on Wednesday. 'Our economic power in North Rhine-Westphalia is 20% above the EU average," he told reporters.
Wüst, a leading candidate to succeed German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, came to Brussels to demand 'level-headed chemicals policy,' according to an eight-page list of demands he brought along, seen by Euractiv.
The chemicals sector especially plays a key role in his state, Wüst said. Among his eleven-company-strong delegation were four chemical companies: polymer-producer Covestro, speciality chemical leader Evonik, adhesives giant Henkel and intermediates producer Lanxess. Not part of the visit but also home in NRW is pharmaceutical giant Bayer.
'The design of chemical policy and revision of REACH are of great relevance to not only the sector but the entire industry,' the document said, further stating that t he EU should sense-check industrial emissions rules and the urban wastewater directive – while making it easier to get construction permits.
'Planning and approval procedures (especially in environmental law) must be accelerated massively and decisively,' Wüst's demands close.
The EU executive is expected to present a chemicals package next week. German chemical players have long pushed to delay the reform of the EU's flagship chemical rulebook REACH.
Kjeld Neubert contributed reporting.
(vib)
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