As Europe races towards climate neutrality and resource efficiency, the chemical industry is stepping up with solutions to make the continent’s economy more circular -- by extending product lifecycles, boosting recyclability, and turning low-value resources into new raw materials, the sector is positioning itself at the heart of Europe’s sustainable transition.

The upcoming Circular Economy Act (CEA) is set to become a linchpin of the EU’s Clean Industrial Deal, promising to strengthen Europe’s strategic autonomy, competitiveness, and environmental credentials. And Cefic, the European Chemical Industry Council, has thrown its weight behind the Act—while stressing the need for practical measures that will help industry make circularity a reality.

“The chemical industry underpins Europe’s industrial ecosystem, enabling circularity across key sectors like automotive, construction, electronics, textiles, and agriculture,” said Cefic in a statement. “Circularity is a systems approach—restorative and regenerative by design—keeping products, materials, and resources in use as long as possible.”

To unlock the CEA’s full potential, Cefic calls for: coherent regulations and investment-friendly conditions to support the industry’s transition; boosting demand for circular products, including through green public procurement; scaling up circular feedstocks and embracing diverse technologies.

Cefic is ready to collaborate with policymakers to ensure Europe’s chemical industry delivers the circular solutions needed to drive sustainability, growth, and competitiveness.