Trilateral Chemical Region

Study

“3C-VaCS – Trilateral Chemical Region - Value Chain Structures”

Flanders • The Netherlands • North Rhine-Westphalia 

Towards a sustainable and competitive chemical industry in Europe: Results from Trilateral Study show that the Chemical Industry needs Urgent Policy Action

 

The Trilateral Chemical Region (TCR) published the results of the “3C VaCS – Trilateral Chemical Region – Value Chain Structures” on 13 May 2026 during a web meeting attended by industry representatives, governments, the European Commission and members of the Critical Chemicals Alliance.

 

The study analyses the cross-border chemical cluster spanning The Netherlands, Flanders and North Rhine Westphalia (NRW). With more than 1,300 chemical companies and 30–40% of EU chemical production capacity, the region is central to Europe’s industrial supply chains. However, its competitiveness is increasingly challenged by high costs, weak demand and geopolitical pressures.

 

The study examines value chains, trade flows and transition pathways for the chemical industry. It concludes that while low carbon production routes are technically feasible, they currently lack viable business cases due to insufficient infrastructure, high costs and an inadequate policy framework.

 

The study was conducted by DECHEMA e.V., VITO/EnergyVille and TNO, and supported by the Ministries of Economic Affairs of Flanders, The Netherlands and NRW, together with industry associations essenscia, VNCI and VCI NRW.

Press Release
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01

Our Vision

Vision 2030
In a global competitive environment that is changing drastically, the trilateral chemical industry faces fundamental economic, environmental and technological challenges. To prepare for the future, capture the benefits of a growing chemical industry and remove existing bottlenecks for this development, an important strategic process had been launched in 2017. North Rhine-Westphalia, the Netherlands and Flanders agreed on a joint vision on the future development of their flagship industry – the chemical industry. 
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02

Our Initiative

Trilog Chair 2025 - Flanders

The initiative is coordinated by a Trilog chair region with a rotating one year term. The chair is currently held by The Netherlands.

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"Europe’s industrial future will be defined by how well we collaborate across borders, connect innovation ecosystems, and accelerate the transition toward sustainable and competitive production. The Trilateral Chemical Region demonstrates that when industry, knowledge institutions and governments move together with a shared ambition, we can strengthen both our competitiveness and our responsibility to future generations." 

Mark Schmets

chair of the Steering Committee

Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate, The Netherlands   



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Our Region

Heart of EU chemical Industry

Heart of EU chemical Industry

The trilateral region of North Rhine-Westphalia (Germany), Flanders (Belgium) and the Netherlands is home to one of the most powerful clusters of the chemical industry in the world. Key facts: 350.000 direct jobs and 180 billion EUR turnover.
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