In view of the major challenges for more climate protection, Federal Minister of Economics Peter Altmaier and the chemical industry decided on a "pact of action" for the branch. The aim is to set the course for sustainable competitiveness for the chemical and pharmaceutical industry in Germany , according to the concept presented on Tuesday. Altmaier (CDU) had already developed an action plan with the steel industry.

Altmaier spoke of enormous challenges for the chemical and pharmaceutical industry. “At the same time, during the pandemic, for example with vaccines, disinfectants and medical products, the industry has shown what great problem-solving skills it has.” In the transformation to CO2 neutrality, business, politics, trade unions and science would have to work closely together.

The President of the German Chemical Industry Association (VCI), Christian Kullmann, stated that the industry is the key to the transformation task towards climate neutrality. "We will only survive it if we get huge amounts of renewable energy at low prices, take small and medium-sized enterprises with us by reducing bureaucracy and accelerating planning, and pharmaceutical companies and the industrial health sector also remain strong."

The head of the IG BCE union, Michael Vassiliadis, said, according to the announcement: "We will only be able to successfully shape the transformation of industry in the coming decades with a show of strength across society."

According to the concept, the German chemical industry is striving for climate-neutral production in line with the new political requirements. To achieve this, according to the VCI's “Roadmap 2050”, the chemical industry needs more than 600 terawatt hours of green electricity per year - this is more than the current electricity consumption in Germany.

Reliefs to maintain competitiveness continue to be of central importance, such as energy and electricity tax relief and promotion of combined heat and power, it is said. The aim is for the EEG surcharge to promote green electricity to be gradually reduced over the next five years and finally to be abolished entirely.

At the same time, the cost of expanding renewable energies should continue to fall. However, according to the concept, a CO2 border adjustment mechanism discussed in the EU is largely viewed critically by the chemical industry. Hydrogen is one of the keys to transforming the chemical industry.