Industry4Europe (Brussels / Belgium; www.industry4europe.eu), a coalition of 149 industry associations across Europe, has published a joint paper calling for an ambitious and long-term industrial strategy to help the EU remain a hub for a “leading, smart, innovative and sustainable” industry. The paper “A long-term strategy for Europe’s industrial future: from words to action” is the outcome of months of discussions and consensus-building between a wide range of industrial sectors, including plastics. European Plastics Converters (EuPC, Brussels; www.plasticsconverters.eu), PlasticsEurope (Brussels; www.plasticseurope.org) and Plastics Recyclers Europe (PRE, Brussels; www.plasticsrecyclers.eu) are among the signatories.

“With its skilled workforce and its global reputation for quality and sustainability, our industry is vital for Europe and its prosperity,” said Philippe Citroën, Industry4Europe coordinator. “The European Union needs an ambitious industrial strategy now to compete with other global regions that have already put industry at the very top of their political agenda. It is essential for a horizontal, coherent and focused industrial policy to support the backbone of the European economy and which protects citizens and the global environment.”

The proposals outlined in the paper are centred on seven priority areas:

• a business-friendly policy environment
• sustainability at the business core
• upgraded skills and training
• enhanced research and innovation
• investment and improved access to finance
• reinforcement of the European single market
• strengthened trade and international market access

The coalition said its recommendations contribute to the EU’s future industrial strategy, as announced in July 2019 by European Commission then president-elect Ursula von der Leyen. She assumed office on 1 December. The 149 industry associations welcome von der Leyen’s ambition for a “future-ready” economy and hopes that its explicit policy recommendations “will find a central place in any comprehensive long-term industrial strategy that comes out of the EU institutions.”