“If Europe wants a sustainable, resilient and climate neutral chemical industry, competitiveness and transformation must advance together”

Expert Interview “If Europe wants a sustainable, resilient and climate neutral chemical industry, competitiveness and transformation must advance together”

2026-04-30 From Ahlam Rais 4 min Reading Time

In an exclusive email interview with Ahlam Rais, Marco Mensink, Director General of Cefic (European Chemical Industry Council), discusses Europe’s chemical market challenges, explains the underlying causes of recent plant closures, and outlines Cefic’s key recommendations for revitalizing the sector.

Marco Mensink, Director General of Cefic (Source: Cefic) — Marco Mensink, Director General of Cefic
(Source: Cefic)

What is the current market scenario of Europe’s chemical industry?

Marco Mensink: Europe’s chemical industry is operating in a very challenging market environment. Weak demand, high production and energy costs, and declining investment are putting sustained pressure on competitiveness and making it increasingly difficult to maintain production in Europe. These pressures are being compounded by geopolitical instability, which is disrupting trade flows and adding uncertainty around energy supply and access to critical raw materials.

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