I recently read that Sir Jim Ratcliffe, founder and CEO of Ineos, urged European politicians to take last-minute action to save the chemical industry. His message highlights a growing concern: the sector is struggling in Europe, largely due to restrictive EU regulations and bureaucratic bullshit and the ivory tower mentality of Brussels.
Read more: https://chemanager-online.com/en/news/ratcliffe-chemical-industry-in-europe-at-a-tipping-point
The truth is harsh: the EU institutions have become a destructive force against their own citizens and industries. We’re losing jobs because everything is being regulated — even what doesn’t need to be.
Then I came across yet another piece about Europe’s carbon tax and CO₂ emission trading. Honestly, I should stop reading this kind of thing; it only makes me angry.
And that’s when it hit me. This is the difference between me and European Bioplastics. They focus on creating jobs and fostering innovation, while I’ve been stuck in criticism mode — pointing fingers instead of contributing solutions. That needs to change.
From now on, I’ll support every initiative that creates jobs in Europe.
I’ll be backing bio-based plastics — as long as the entire production and supply chain is based in the EU.
What about biodegradable plastics? Same principle: I’ll support them if the full value chain is European.
As for compostable plastics — that’s a more complex issue. I can’t support the contamination of compost streams with plastics; I have no interest in “eating” plastics. But if we reshape the system — ensuring compostable plastics are sent to incineration instead of compost facilities (like we did it with so-called recyclable plastics during 30 years) — then I’m fine with that.
I’m going to give it a try and we’ll see if it works.
I’m going to help make Europe great again …. It’s time we give back to Europe what belongs to Europe.
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