BASF chief Markus Kamieth, who also serves as president of the European chemical industry association CEFIC, called for swift relief for the sector. Speaking to the FAZ before the informal summit of European government leaders, he stressed that the EU emissions‑trading system must be urgently reformed.
He warned that permit costs alone could rise to as much as a billion euros a year for BASF over the next decade if no action is taken. “These are additional costs I would not face if I produced outside of Europe” he added. Kamieth dismisses the EU’s proposed border adjustment as ineffective and overly complex, arguing it drives “green” production out of Europe. He insists the emissions‑trading system is in dire need of overhaul because “the rest of the world has not joined”.
According to Kamieth, the crisis in the chemical industry has intensified over the past three years; nearly ten percent of European production capacity has been shut down, with closures continuing. He says the industry must therefore adapt its facilities and eliminate non‑competitive structures.
Regarding the EU’s newly established Chemical Alliance, which will soon decide which European plants are system‑critical and thus potentially eligible for state protection, Kamieth warns against protectionism. He points out that there are value chains essential to Europe’s industrial ecosystems, but there is a risk that this process could quickly spark demands for further state protection, resulting in many sites and products being labeled system‑critical.