European Industry Summit: Hungarian Chemical Association Calls for Urgent Reforms

Two years after the adoption of the Antwerp Declaration, leaders of key industries once again warned the President of the European Commission at the 2026 European Industry Summit that immediate action is still needed to restore the competitiveness of European industry, Hungarian oil and gas company MOL said in a statement on Thursday.

The Hungarian Chemical Industry Association (MAVESZ), of which MOL is also a member, actively participated in the preparation of the Antwerp Declaration and has closely monitored its implementation ever since. Based on information available on MAVESZ’s website, two years ago European industry leaders initiated a ten-point urgent action plan in the Antwerp Declaration to restore competitiveness and safeguard jobs.

The statement noted that at the European Industry Summit, which concluded in recent days, participants assessed the implementation of the measures set out in the declaration adopted two years ago and found that no progress had been made in 83 percent of the indicators.

Without a strong European industry and an appropriate regulatory environment, the continent’s economy will continue to weaken and more factories may shut down,

industry leaders warned at the meeting held in Antwerp, adding that the competitive disadvantage of European companies must be reduced.

In their view, effective regulatory reforms are needed, along with affordable energy prices and a reduction in the cost burden of carbon emissions. They also urged targeted protection against unfair trade practices, as well as support for infrastructure and energy transition investments.

The statement quoted Csaba Szabó, Director of MAVESZ, who said immediate action is necessary, as around 9 percent of the EU’s chemical production capacity has disappeared over the past four years due to plant closures.

This has directly led to the loss of 20,000 jobs, with a further 89,000 positions along value chains now at risk.

MOL Group joined the Antwerp Declaration two years ago. In the statement, Gabriel Szabó, Executive Vice President of the Downstream division, emphasized that while they support the EU’s objectives, the green transition must not come at the expense of competitiveness, because without a strong industry there is no growth in Europe. The sector continues to struggle with high energy prices and unrealistic targets, he said, stressing the need for genuine growth drivers and a framework that strengthens Europe.

Via MTI, Featured image: MTI/Hegedüs Róbert

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