industry
review
2025
at a pivotal moment
EUROPEAN CHLOR-ALKALI AT A PIVOTAL MOMENT…
In recent years, Europe’s chlor-alkali industry has faced unprecedented challenges. The combination of a global pandemic, geopolitical instability and a complex regulatory framework has exposed the EU’s fragile energy model and its heavy reliance on unpredictable global energy supplies. This situation has exacerbated the cost disadvantage of our sector compared to other regions, leading to historically low capacity utilisation rates, plant closures and job losses.
We now stand at a critical junction. Whilst there remain many issues ahead of us, there are also opportunities for our sector. A significant one lies in the valorisation of our hydrogen; something which we continue to work on with authorities and other industry stakeholders.
Another opportunity comes from European decision makers. Since they began work in December 2024, the new European Commission has launched a comprehensive package of actions, presented in this report, that have the potential to restore Europe’s competitiveness vs. the rest of the world. Of course we welcome these initiatives, but we depend on bold action here to ensure our prosperity and enable the conditions necessary for our transition to climate neutrality.
All this is taking place alongside the regular activities of our association. Over the past twelve months, Euro Chlor members have remained dedicated to a safe work environment for all colleagues across the value chain. Based on data collected through our third ten-year Sustainability Programme (2021-2030), we have developed new safety initiatives such as tools for drivers and customer site operators to enhance the safe loading and unloading of chlor-alkali products.
On a more personal note, I have reached a junction in my professional life. After fourteen happy years of activities within Euro Chlor, it is with mixed emotions that I leave to take on new challenges within Cefic (yes, I won’t be very far!). I will always look back fondly on the support of our members and partners, as well as that of my team. It has been a real pleasure for me to lead Euro Chlor over the past six years, and I warmly thank all of you for the trust that you placed in me.
I will always hold a special place in my heart for Euro Chlor, but it is with full confidence that I pass the torch to my dear colleague, Richy Mariner. Believe me, you are in very good hands!
… BUT TOGETHER WE CAN CHOOSE THE RIGHT PATH.
I was delighted to assume the role of interim Chair from Daniel Koch (Covestro) when he left the association on 31 January 2025 to pursue new career opportunities. On behalf of everyone at Euro Chlor, I would like to extend my gratitude to him for his contribution as a dedicated member and leader of our Management Committee.
I already have some good memories of my time as interim Chair as, on 13 May 2025, I had the honour of opening Euro Chlor’s twelfth International Chlor-Alkali Technology Conference & Exhibition. Euro Chlor welcomed an impressive audience of 367 participants and 55 exhibitors to Barcelona. You can read more about this event here.
During the Euro Chlor Annual General Assembly on 11 September 2025 in Brussels, I will stand before you to be officially approved as Chair of Euro Chlor for a two-year term. With your ongoing support, I am fully prepared to tackle those challenges facing Europe’s chlor-alkali sector in a rapidly changing environment and complex geopolitical landscape. I strongly believe that, with a unified voice, we can work together to build a safer, more sustainable and successful chlor-alkali industry for Europe!
The content in this Industry Review (covering September 2024-August 2025) mostly reflects the four elements of our Mid-Century Strategy (MCS): Safety Leader, Competitive Supplier, Climate Neutral Player and Circularity Champion. Out of all key performance indicators (KPIs) reported for 2024, seven have featured in our Sustainability Programme since 2001 and are marked with an 
icon so they can be compared with previous editions. We are delighted to announce that this year’s contribution from our members to the 2024 Euro Chlor Sustainability Questionnaire was almost complete, covering 97% of members’ capacity. The Euro Chlor team will continue its efforts to keep this high participation rate.
Some data in this review may be slightly different from previous years. This reflects late data submissions and minor corrections that do not impact the overall trend. Those data presented in this issue should be considered the most accurate reflection of our industry and are provided for information only.