Impetus for change: Political framework conditions for petrochemical clusters
Copyright: PtX Lab Lausitz/Toni Kretschmer
PtX Lab Lausitz discussed political options for a climate-neutral and competitive chemical industry at the Renewable Materials Conference in Siegburg.
Which policy instruments can drive the transformation of petrochemical clusters while ensuring climate neutrality and competitiveness?
This key question was the focus of the policy workshop ‘Exploring Policy Tools to drive the Sustainable Transformation of Petrochemical Clusters’, which took place on 22 September 2025 as part of the Renewable Materials Conference in Siegburg.
The workshop was planned and conducted by Dr Irina Akhmetova and Lukas Horndasch, experts at PtX Lab Lausitz, in cooperation with Dr Clemens Schneider (Kassel Institute for Sustainability).
Impulses become ideas for action
The workshop was opened by Dr Harry Lehmann, Head of PtX Lab Lausitz, who emphasised the opportunities for sustainable transformation for the European chemical industry in his welcoming address. Dr Sarah Bernhardt, Head of PtX Raw Materials at the Lausitz Competence Centre, then introduced the topic and outlined the current challenges facing the chemical industry.
Dr Clemens Schneider then outlined the key challenges and barriers:
- heavy dependence on fossil raw materials,
- global overcapacity,
- the need to reconcile climate targets and competitiveness.
Building on this, Dr Irina Akhmetova and Lukas Horndasch presented a collection of possible policy instruments that could support the transformation process.
Copyright: PtX Lab Lausitz/Toni Kretschmer
In the interactive working phase, the participants prioritised the instruments. Which levers are most effective? Where are the synergies and where are the risks? It became clear that transformation can only succeed if regulations, investment incentives, governance structures and long-term strategies are interlinked.
At the end, the groups presented their results to the plenary. The diversity of perspectives – from company representatives to researchers – highlighted which political measures can be implemented in the short term and where there is a greater need for strategic action.
Results with a view to the future
The results developed in the workshop were incorporated into the latest publication by the Lausitz Competence Centre, the PtX Lab Briefing ‘The Role of Steam Crackers in the Future – Recommendations for action for the sustainable production of basic chemicals in the European Union’. The policy briefing will be published in October 2025.
The workshop made it clear that the transformation of petrochemical clusters is complex – but possible. With clear political framework conditions, targeted instruments and close cooperation between industry, politics and research, ways to a climate-neutral and competitive chemical industry can be identified and jointly implemented.
Contact
Dr
Sarah Bernhardt
Head of Section PtX Basic Materials
+49 173 56 150 72
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