The chemical industry remains one of the fundamental pillars of the European economy and an important link in value chains across many sectors, from food, automotive and energy to medicine, defence and advanced technologies. As emphasized by Dr. Eng. Tomasz Zieliński, President of the Management Board of the Polish Chamber of Chemical Industry, the condition of the chemical sector has a direct impact on the development of other industries, as well as on Europe’s economic resilience and security. However, in the interview published in Polska Chemia magazine, he points out that the sector is currently operating under strong cost and regulatory pressure. In recent years, especially after the outbreak of the war in Ukraine, problems related to high energy prices, supply chain disruptions and growing dependence on imported raw materials have become apparent. According to the data presented in the interview, around 37 million tonnes of chemical production capacity have been shut down in Europe in recent years, and some investments and production capacities have been relocated to regions with lower operating costs, particularly Asia. At the same time, despite its weakened competitive position, the sector continues to retain strategic importance, including in Poland, where it accounts for around 18% of total industry.
In the PIPC president’s assessment, the current situation means that the industry is both defending its position and still has development potential. He points out that chemicals remain essential for the production of medicines, fertilisers, materials, fuels and many everyday products, as well as for the implementation of the energy and industrial transition. “Without chemicals, there is no security. There is no modern medicine, pharmaceuticals, food, fertilisers, materials, defence or energy transition.”
Energy costs as the main competitiveness problem
The issue of energy costs is strongly highlighted in the interview and is identified as the primary factor weakening the ability of the European chemical industry to compete on the global market. In Tomasz Zieliński’s view, Europe is clearly losing out in this respect to both the United States and Asia and the Middle East. An additional burden remains the dependence on imports of basic raw materials, combined with insufficient domestic resources.
The PIPC president also draws attention to the impact of geopolitical tensions on industrial operations. Disruptions on trade routes quickly translate into raw material availability and energy prices, increasing pressure on energy-intensive branches of manufacturing. In this context, ensuring stable, available and competitively priced energy was identified as a condition for maintaining the chemical industry in Europe.
Transition under cost and regulatory pressure
The interviewee stresses that the direction of the transition itself is not being questioned by the industry. Chemical companies are investing in energy efficiency, new technologies, the circular economy and emissions reduction. At the same time, he notes that the transition has an economic dimension, and current competitive realities are undermining the earlier assumption that industry would be able to invest, decarbonise and maintain production in the European Union simultaneously.
In PIPC’s assessment, some European targets have proved too ambitious from the perspective of industrial competitiveness. The interview points to the need for deep reflection on the regulatory model and the pace of the transition. The call for a revision of the EU ETS was particularly strongly expressed. As Tomasz Zieliński notes, in its current form this mechanism is oversized, costly and difficult to implement for energy-intensive sectors. Additional concerns are also raised by the way the EU ETS is linked to the CBAM mechanism and the planned phase-out of free emission allowances.
Chemicals as an element of economic security
One of the main themes of the interview is the growing importance of economic resilience, industrial sovereignty and security of supply. The PIPC president points out that security no longer concerns only the military or critical infrastructure, but also begins with production capabilities, access to raw materials, technology and industrial competences.
In this view, a domestic production base is to be the foundation of Europe’s economic security, especially with regard to key chemicals related to medicine, pharmaceuticals, fertilisers, food, fuels and everyday products. Tomasz Zieliński states directly that “we cannot speak of a secure Europe without a strong chemical industry”.
The interview also refers to measures being taken at EU level, such as the Chemical Industry Package, regulatory simplification, the Industrial Accelerator Act and initiatives under the Critical Chemicals Alliance. According to the PIPC president, these are necessary and important steps, but only the beginning of change. Their effectiveness will be assessed primarily through the lens of concrete outcomes, such as shortening investment procedures, reducing administrative burdens, improving access to financing and protecting the market.
Made in Europe and local content in investments
The interview also addressed the issue of building demand for products manufactured in Europe and increasing the share of domestic companies, technologies and suppliers in strategic investments. According to Tomasz Zieliński, the “Made in Europe” and local content approaches respond to the same need to strengthen the industrial base, although they operate at different levels.
He also points out that European production should not be defined solely by the criterion of low emissions. High environmental standards, occupational safety and process safety are also of significant importance. At the same time, Europe will remain partly dependent on imports of certain raw materials and products from outside the EU, so not all needs will be quickly covered by domestic or EU production.
Demands ahead of the Polska Chemia Congress
In the context of the 13th Polska Chemia Congress, the key message addressed to decision-makers in Poland and the European Union was formulated unequivocally. “Either Europe creates conditions for production and investment, or it will increasingly lose the industry needed to achieve its own goals.”
As the interview indicates, the sector today expects above all predictability, competitive conditions for doing business and swift decisions. Key congress topics are to include access to competitively priced energy, regulatory simplification, rebuilding the competitiveness of European industry, supporting economic resilience and rationalising climate policy. Another important point will be the revision of the EU ETS, so that the system supports environmental objectives without further weakening the competitive position of the chemical industry.
The interview with Dr. Eng. Tomasz Zieliński was published in Polska Chemia magazine 2/2026.
