The Antwerp Declaration for a European Industrial Deal – 400 leaders urge EU heads of state to implement Clean Industrial Deal
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.
250226-BIBM-Press-Release-Antwerp-Declaration-Clean-Industrial-Deal
Brussels, 26 February 2025: 400 business leaders send urgent call to Heads of State to
implement the Clean Industrial Deal following high-level meeting with Commission
President.
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.
“The Federation of the European Precast Concrete Industry (BIBM) welcomes the Commission President’s
support for the Clean Industrial Deal, recognising the vital role of the concrete and cement sector in Europe’s
transition. To remain competitive and resilient, bold action is needed. While nine out of ten calls from the
Antwerp Declaration have been addressed, it is crucial that these commitments are swiftly implemented.
Inaction risks jobs, investment, and industrial leadership in Europe. BIBM urges European leaders to act
now to secure the future of the industry,” said Stefan Van Buggenhout, President of BIBM.
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.
BIBM 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:
Magdalena Herbik, Public Affairs & Communications Manager, BIBM mh@bibm.eu