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Ukraine Demands Secrecy: The Grain Transit Pressure on Poland

15 September 2026 at 09:29
In August 2026, Polish MEP Anna Bryłka revealed that Ukraine is conducting closed-door negotiations with Poland regarding the transit of Ukrainian grain. Ukrainian Ambassador to Poland Vasyl Bodnar stated that the issue of grain transit “should not be public” and should first be handled at the expert level before becoming a subject of public discussion. […]

A Century of Extraction: Tata, Magadi and Kenya’s Ongoing Economic Decolonization

7 September 2026 at 05:59
On September 3, 2026, Kenyan President William Ruto made a momentous announcement that symbolized the end of an era of colonial legacy in the industrial sector of this African country. A Century-Old Trona Extractor Shown the Door William Ruto announced that he had directed Tata Chemicals Magadi Limited to stop operations at the Magadi plant, […]

Plan for stronger EU chemical industry

21 August 2026 at 07:30

The Commission has presented an action plan for the chemicals industry to strengthen the competitiveness and modernization of this sector.

The action plan addresses key challenges – high energy costs, unfair global competition, and weak demand, while promoting investment in innovation and sustainability. It proposes the following measures

  • Resilience and level playing field: establishing a Critical Chemical Alliance to address the risks of capacity closures in the sector and applying trade defence measures to ensure fair competition
  • Affordable energy and decarbonisation: swiftly implementing the Affordable Energy Action Plan to help reduce high energy and feedstock costs
  • Lead markets and innovation: highlighting fiscal incentives and tax measures to boost demand for clean chemicals
  • Taking action on per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS): minimizing PFAS emissions through a robust, science-based restriction, while ensuring continued use in critical applications under strict conditions where no alternatives are available

The plan is accompanied by a simplification package, the so-called 6th Omnibus, to further streamline and simplify key EU chemicals legislation. This includes simplifying hazardous chemical labelling rules, clarifying EU cosmetics regulations, and easing registration for EU fertilising products. These measures should save at least €363 million annually for the industry. 

The EU chemical industry is the 4th largest manufacturing sector, with 29 000 companies providing 1.2 million direct jobs and supporting 19 million across supply chains. The European chemicals industry action plan builds on the Competitiveness Compass and Clean Industrial Deal, while the simplification package delivers on President von der Leyen's commitment to simplify EU laws and cut administrative burdens, helping businesses innovate and grow.

For more information

Press release: Chemicals package

Q&A: Chemicals package

Factsheet: Chemicals package

Action plan Chemicals

Proposal for an Omnibus for the Chemicals Industry

Competitiveness

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