The CCA was established as part of the European Union’s broader effort to secure robust chemical value chains across the continent. At the General Assembly, representatives from the European Commission, Member States, research institutions, and stakeholder organisations convened to address systemic challenges facing chemical production and supply chains. These include accelerating plant closures, disrupted trade patterns, and critical dependencies that have emerged in recent years – all of which have significant implications for scientific research, industrial innovation, and strategic preparedness.
For the scientific community, the Alliance signals a policy shift from diagnostics towards targeted, research-informed action. Participants underscored the need for evidence-based methodologies to assess the criticality and resilience of specific chemical products and production networks, rather than relying on static lists of substances or sites. This approach aligns closely with the role of researchers in generating high-quality data, developing analytical tools and modelling complex interactions within chemical and adjacent value chains.
A significant focus of discussion was how to catalyse innovation and research – including strategies to unlock financing, support scale-up of advanced technologies, and integrate sustainability principles into long-term planning. The Assembly also emphasised that policies must facilitate predictable and streamlined regulation, fostering an environment where scientific discovery and industrial application can flourish in tandem.
As the Alliance moves into implementation, the outcomes of its workgroups – particularly those bridging research insights with policy and investment strategies – will be crucial. For chemists and research professionals across Europe, the establishment of the CCA and its first General Assembly represents not just an industry initiative but a framework for embedding scientific knowledge at the heart of EU policy for chemicals, innovation and resilient value chains.
