The future of Europe is made with industry. It’s time for a European Industrial Deal

400 business leaders send urgent call to Heads of State to implement the Clean Industrial Deal following high-level meeting with Commission President.

26 February 2025, Brussels: One year after the launch of the Antwerp Declaration, 400 business leaders have reunited in Antwerp to discuss the just published Clean Industrial Deal with Commission President, Ursula von der Leyen. Ahead of the European Council meeting in March, industry is now calling on EU Heads of State to take urgent action across all EU Member States without any delay.

"We welcome the Commission President’s support for the Clean Industrial Deal. As a key industry in Europe’s transition, the concrete and cement sector needs bold action to remain competitive and resilient. While nine out of ten Antwerp Declaration calls have been addressed, implementation is crucial. Every day of inaction costs Europe jobs, investment, and industrial leadership. We urge European leaders to act now to secure our industry's future," said Marco Borroni, President of Concrete Europe.

Europe’s industries are facing historical challenges: declining demand, stalled investments, reduced capacity, and EU gas prices at 4-5 times higher than its competitors. Between 2023 and 2024, Europe’s manufacturing output - a sector employing over 31 million people - dropped another 2.6%. To overcome these challenges, back in February 2024, 73 business leaders presented the Antwerp Declaration to Commission President, Ursula von der Leyen and former Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo. The Antwerp Declaration lays out 10 concrete actions to restore the business case for investments, to implement Europe’s sustainability ambitions and safeguard quality jobs in Europe. It is now signed by over 1300 signatories.

Concrete Europe calls on all new EU initiatives to be evaluated against the following criteria: Do they keep Europe safe and independent, reduce energy prices, ease the administrative burden on companies, attract investments to Europe, create markets for sustainable products, and safeguard quality jobs in Europe? If the answer to any of these questions is no, EU policymakers should reconsider and revise the proposal accordingly.

For more information on and to join the growing coalition of supporters, visit antwerp-declaration.eu.


Media enquiries should be directed to:

• Jean-Baptiste Gomes, Senior Public Affairs Manager, CEMBUREAU jb.gomes@cembureau.eu
• Magdalena Herbik, Public Affairs & Communications Manager, BIBM mh@bibm.eu