The Critical Chemicals Alliance (CCA) held its kick-off conference on 13 January 2026 in Geleen, the Netherlands, against the backdrop of mounting pressure on Europe’s chemical industry.

The chemical sector as a whole is undergoing a deep crisis. According to Eurofound figures, around 30,000 jobs are affected across the sector, highlighting the scale of restructuring and the urgency of action to protect workers and industrial capacity.

The Alliance focuses specifically on critical chemicals — chemical products and production sites that are essential building blocks for downstream chemical manufacturing and key industrial value chains. Safeguarding these productions is a strategic priority, as their loss would weaken entire supply chains and Europe’s industrial autonomy.

The Alliance brings together EU institutions, industry, trade unions and other stakeholders to identify critical chemical production, support investment and modernisation, address trade challenges and develop lead markets for cleaner products.

For industriAll Europe, the Alliance must be a practical tool to anticipate and manage change, with workers and trade unions fully involved from the outset.

“This Alliance must deliver a sustainable and competitive future for the chemical industry while protecting jobs, working conditions and production sites, said Judith Kirton-Darling, General Secretary of industriAll Europe.

“It must not become just another discussion forum. Workers are already paying the price for short-term profit decisions, a lack of anticipation and the absence of a proactive European industrial policy. The Alliance must deliver concrete and binding solutions, and follow through on the commitments made in the Antwerp Declaration.”

IndustriAll Europe will engage actively in the work of the Alliance to ensure that action on critical chemicals strengthens Europe’s industrial base while delivering quality jobs and a Just Transition for workers.

What is an EU Industrial Alliance?

EU Industrial Alliances bring together public authorities, industry, trade unions and other stakeholders to coordinate action in strategic sectors. Their aim is to align policy and investment, strengthen Europe’s industrial base and better manage industrial transitions. IndustriAll Europe is currently involved in five EU Industrial Alliances and strategic industrial platforms, including those on batteries, hydrogen and renewable fuels, to ensure that workers’ interests are embedded in Europe’s industrial policy.