A high-level summit convened by Minister for Economic Affairs, Katherina Reiche, is set to launch a new, ambitious agenda for the German chemical industry, signaling a potential shift in national industrial policy. The meeting, scheduled for Thursday afternoon and involving key stakeholders from both the public and private sectors, aims to shape the “Chemistry Agenda 2045” a commitment outlined in the current coalition agreement.
The gathering, confirmed by the Ministry for Economic Affairs (BMWE), brings together CEOs from prominent chemical companies – Julia Schlenz (Dow Deutschland), Markus Steilemann (Covestro) and Christian Hartel (Wacker Chemie) – alongside representatives from the German Chemical Industry Association and the IG BCE, a powerful industrial union representing workers in mining, chemicals and energy. Environment Minister Carsten Schneider will deliver a keynote address at the event, lending further weight to the initiative.
While the agenda officially focuses on future-proof basic chemistry, innovation and the application of Artificial Intelligence within the sector, the meeting is already drawing scrutiny regarding its potential implications for environmental regulations and industrial competitiveness. Critics question whether the “future-proof” designation adequately addresses concerns surrounding the industry’s carbon footprint and its contribution to microplastic pollution, particularly given recent controversies regarding chemical waste management practices.
The launch of the Chemistry Agenda 2045 reflects a growing pressure within the government to balance economic growth with increasingly stringent climate targets. Reiche’s initiative faces the challenging task of fostering innovation while simultaneously ensuring the sector operates within a nationally and, crucially, a European regulatory framework that is constantly evolving. Concerns remain whether the collaborative approach will adequately address the diverging interests of industry leaders prioritizing profitability and environmental groups demanding more stringent sustainability measures. The effectiveness of the agenda will ultimately hinge on its ability to deliver concrete, measurable progress toward a genuinely sustainable chemical industry by 2045.