MARL, Germany , (Reuters) – German Chancellor Olaf Scholz called for a pragmatic approach to toxic “forever chemicals” found in many household and everyday items during a visit to an Evonik site at the Marl Chemical Park on Monday.
“In the European Union, Germany will push for a pragmatic approach that does not hinder Germany’s industrial development … but promotes it,” Scholz told reporters.
Forever chemicals, also known as PFAS substances, are used in thousands of products and machines, including drugs, cars, textiles and wind turbines due to their long-term resistance to extreme temperatures and corrosion.
“The chemicals are indispensable for many processes in the modern chemical industry and also for renewable energies,” Scholz said.
Evonik CEO Christian Kullman called the chancellor’s position a “clear turn towards the chemical industry”.
The European Commission has been planning to allow exemptions for forever chemicals’ use to continue in certain sectors to protect key industries.
The chemical industry in Germany – the largest in Europe – has long been suffering from weak demand and high production. Despite signs of recovery, the German chemical association VCI does not yet see a sustainable turnaround for the sector.
(Reporting by Matthias Inverardi and Ozan Ergenay in Gdansk, Editing by Friederike Heine)
