Europe's chemical industry is in crisis, warns the European Chemical Industry Council (CEFIC) President Ilham Kadri, urging EU leaders to act on a 10-point rescue plan to prevent further shutdowns and loss of investments.
Within the framework of the REACh chemicals legislation, the European Commission said it is implementing previously discussed restrictions on the use of PVC in finished products to protect people and the environment from the toxic effects of lead.
In 2022, the European Commission revised the definition of nanomaterials in a new recommendation, which supports a uniform EU regulatory framework and aims at aligning the legislation across various sectors. Therefore, particle product design is an enabling technology relevant for many sectors, such as chemicals, consumer products, foods and beverages, health, energy, and the environment.
The International Chemical Secretariat (ChemSec), a Swedish NGO that advocates for reducing the production and use of hazardous chemicals, has added 370 new per- or poly-fluorinated alkyl substances (PFAS) — also known as “forever chemicals” — to its Substitute It Now (SIN) List.
Is the grass really always greener on the other side? Scarcely heard up to now above the din European chemical companies have been making about being disadvantaged by the US Inflation Reduction Act, which subsidizes “green investment” by American companies, their US competitors are making noises of their own.
Sharon McGuinness has been appointed to a five-year term as the new executive director of the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA), the body that administrates the REACH chemicals legislation.
Dorothee Arns, Director General of FECC, discusses current challenges, market trends and her vision for the chemical distribution industry in Europe. The interview was conducted by Michael Reubold and Ralf Kempf.
The EU Commission’s ambitious plan for a European Green Deal, launched shortly before the pandemic struck in early 2020, aims to make the continent the world’s first climate-neutral region by 2050. The goals spelled out in January last year call for reduction of greenhouse gas emissions by at least 50% up to 2030, compared with 1990 levels.
On Dec. 31, 2020, the UK will leave the EU single market and customs union. Regardless of any agreement reached with the EU, the end of the Brexit transition period will affect citizens, businesses, as well as travel between the UK and EU. Therefore, businesses need to prepare themselves for the upcoming changes.
Chemicals are a critical, but often overlooked, factor of success for a circular economy. 96% of all products on European markets, from food to medical treatments, from buildings to consumer electronics, rely on chemicals, so this shouldn’t come as a surprise. But what does circularity mean for the future of the chemicals industry? Should it embrace circular systems or resist them?
European chemical producers are sprinting to be ready to comply with new reporting rules for Substances of Very High Concern (SVCH) under an expansion of the EU’s REACH legislation due to take effect next year.
