Press release

FECCIA Steering Committee, 23 September 2005, Paris

 

The FECCIA Steering Committee, European Federation which represents 50 000 managers and professional staff in the chemical Industry in Europe, met in Paris on 23/09/05.

Panorama of the chemical Industry:

Europe remains the worldwide leader with € 586 billion of chemicals sales in front of Asia (€ 506 billion) and the USA (€ 415 billion).

Germany remains the most important European producer with 24% of the sales in Europe, in front of France (16%), Italy (12%) and United Kingdom (9%). These four countries account for 61% of the sales in Europe and the first eight countries account for 88%. On worldwide level, China overlaps France and approaches Germany...

In the 30 top worldwide chemical companies (excluding Pharmaceuticals), Europe is the leader with 16 companies, that is to say 54% of the total, far in front of Japan (7) and the USA (5).

Employment of all the industry started to decrease since mid-year 2001, whereas chemistry resisted until mid-year 2003. Currently, the decrease is approximately 2%!

Positions of FECCIA:

FECCIA supports the joint position of CEFIC, ECEG and EMCEF on the fact that a simplified but effective chemicals legislation REACH will furthermore help to deliver environmental and health benefits in an efficient way without jeopardising businesses and jobs. The debate in the European Parliament held account of these arguments.

FECCIA engages the following initiatives:

- to take part in the development of competences and the qualifications. The Strategy of Lisbon, approved by the European Commission, places the European managers and professional staff at the heart of this strategy.

- to promote sustainable chemistry with innovating products and green chemistry.

- to defend employment and know-how in the basic chemicals which seem condemned by the investors.

- to reinforce the place of the European managers and professional staff in the future negotiations of European Companies installation, especially to obtain their presence in the supervisory boards or the boards of directors.

FECCIA engages a step to take part in European social dialogue in the Chemical Industry, in relation with the Social Partners (ECEG and EMCEF) and the European Commission. It will maintain the necessary contacts with the Social Partners of EU countries.