Reiche aims to strengthen the chemicals industry – negotiations with Brussels are underway
Minister for Economic Affairs Katherina Reiche wants to reduce the burden on the chemicals industry and is negotiating possible subsidies with the European Commission.
Berlin (dpa) – Minister for Economic Affairs Katherina Reiche wants to reduce the burden on the German chemicals industry and has been discussing suitable measures with the European Commission. Planning provides for the impact of high energy costs to be cushioned through a combination of a discounted industrial electricity price and electricity price compensation. The European Commission does not normally permit double subsidies. Both measures must be approved by Brussels pursuant to state aid law.
The chemicals industry is affected by high energy prices and weak demand. Production facilities are only utilised at around 70 percent. Short-term relief is crucial to protecting investments and jobs. Reiche also plans to draw up a 2045 Chemicals Agenda in cooperation with the industry, aiming to sustainably strengthen Germany as an industrial centre. A concluding document is to be presented in early 2026.
Following a kick-off event in Berlin, Ms Reiche said that it was impossible to overestimate Germany’s role as a hub of the chemicals industry. “Without innovative chemicals there’ll be no powerful batteries, no efficient solar panels, no vaccines, no climate-friendly plastics, and no clean production processes.”
