MOSCOW (MRC) -- BASF's CEO, Martin Brudermuller, has been elected president of Cefic, effective immediately, at the European chemical industry association's annual general assembly, according to Chemweek.
He succeeds Daniele Ferrari, CEO of Versalis, who has held the post since October 2018. Brudermuller has been BASF’s CEO since July 2018, and the company’s CTO since 2015.
“The EU chemical industry has the capability, know-how and is developing the innovative technologies to deliver on the challenges we are facing today and in the future,” says Brudermuller. “It is my ambition during my presidency that the European chemical industry strikes a future chemistry deal in the framework of the Green Deal - where we deliver technologies and solutions, and the political framework enables their economical implementation.”
Marco Mensink, director general at Cefic, thanked Ferrari for his work as president over the past two years and expressed his belief that the new president will “be able to lead (Cefic) to deliver on the Green Deal objectives…(and])help Cefic to continue to act as a dialogue partner with the European institutions and societal actors.”
Brudermuller also released an open letter to European citizens following his election, saying that the transition toward climate neutrality by 2050, which is the target of the EU Green Deal, “will bring huge challenges, but it also brings a set of opportunities for industry. In being successful, Europe must therefore show its leadership in innovating and deploying competitive new technologies for delivering a climate neutral, circular and digital transition.” He also noted China’s recent pledge to become carbon neutral by 2060, saying that it “is encouraging and can be a key driver for a truly joint global effort.”
Brudermuller emphasized the need to achieve this transition and his belief that the European chemical industry can become an “innovation hub and a focus area for investments into breakthrough technologies.” He restated Cefic’s target to strike a 'Future Chemicals Deal,' saying he would make it his personal objective to discuss the right framework conditions with European leaders to find joint solutions.
Explaining the industry’s abilities and working with European policymakers and governments to have the right framework conditions in place "that keep competitiveness during this transition in clear focus” will be Cefic’s main aim for the coming period, he says. The Green Deal and climate neutrality by 2050 means a very deep transformation for Europe's chemical industry must take place within only one or two investment cycles, while maintaining its strong position across global markets, Brudermuller says.
The importance of the European Recovery Plan package in moving Europe forward in the post-COVID-19 era and the potential of the chemical industry to deliver innovative and climate-neutral technologies to succeed with the transition, while simultaneously creating jobs and growth, was also highlighted by Cefic's new president.
As MRC wrote previously, Cefic says that the European chemical industry has received a record number of awards in the 2020 European Responsible Care awards “Caring in COVID-19 Times,” for their global response in fighting the pandemic. The awards given to 16 chemical companies and federations across Europe showcase the essential role of the chemical industry in the fight against COVID-19, Cefic says. Winning companies and federations were recognized and rewarded for their efforts to keep critical supply chains running, to protect workers and the workplace, and to support communities in the unprecedented times, it says.
We remind that in 2017, SIBUR joined the European Chemical Industry Council (CEFIC). SIBUR has also become a member of the European Committee of Ethylene Producers and Technology Suppliers (EEPC, part of CEFIC). Membership in the Council allowed SIBUR to take part in the work of 93 sectoral groups on more than 120 petrochemical products, in 90 strategic groups working on issues of sustainable development, innovation, trade, energy and law in the field of petrochemicals.
According to MRC's ScanPlast report, Russia's estimated PE consumption totalled 1,496,500 tonnes in the first eight months of 2020, up by 5% year on year. Shipments of all ethylene polymers increased, except for linear low desnity polyethylene (LLDPE). At the same time, PP shipments to the Russian market reached 767,2900 tonnes in the eight months of 2020 (calculated using the formula - production minus exports plus imports - and not counting producers' inventories as of 1 January, 2020). Supply increased exclusively of PP random copolymer.
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