Industries unite in seeking European policy overhaul

A group of 73 executives spanning 17 industries met at BASF's site in Antwerp, Belgium, to present European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen with an action plan for industry in Europe. It features 10 policy changes that they say the commission must make to ensure their industries remain competitive, resilient, and sustainable "in the face of dire economic conditions." The signers of the plan, called the Antwerp Declaration for a European Industrial Deal, included chemical and pharmaceutical company leaders such as BASF CEO Martin Brudermüller, Bayer CEO Bill Anderson, Lanxess CEO Matthias Zachert, and Synesqo CEO Ilham Kadri. "Basic industries in Europe are grappling with historical challenges: demand is declining, investments in the continent are stalling, production has dropped significantly, and sites are threatened," Brudermüller said at the meeting. "The Antwerp Declaration outlines a pathway ahead." The policy changes demanded at the Feb. 20 event include providing stronger support