PUBLISHED February 28, 2026
According to “Chimie: l’argent public coule, les emplois et le climat s’écroulent” published by CSC, Belgium’s chemical sector is facing mounting structural challenges despite rising levels of public financial support.
The union argues that government subsidies to chemical companies have increasingly been granted without sufficient conditions and are failing to protect either employment or climate objectives. The assessment paints a critical picture of an industry that continues to struggle even as public money flows into the sector.
Subsidies Failing to Shield the Sector
CSC notes that public authorities have been providing unconditional subsidies to chemical companies, yet the expected stabilising effect has not materialised. Instead, the sector has seen a series of plant closures and job losses, raising concerns about the effectiveness of current industrial policy.
According to the union’s analysis, around 30,000 jobs in the sector have recently been affected following the shutdown of several companies. The warning is stark: observers fear that up to 200,000 jobs could be at risk within the next five years if the current trajectory continues.
This outlook highlights the scale of the structural pressure facing one of Belgium’s key industrial pillars.
A central criticism in the report is the sector’s continued reliance on fossil energy. CSC argues that this dependency is making the industry increasingly vulnerable in a context of energy transition and international competition.
The union calls for a faster shift toward renewable energy and more targeted public support, warning that trying to compete globally on fossil fuel costs is “a race already lost.” In their view, the current model risks undermining both competitiveness and climate ambitions simultaneously.
A central criticism in the report is the sector’s continued reliance on fossil energy. CSC argues that this dependency is making the industry increasingly vulnerable in a context of energy transition and international competition.
The union calls for a faster shift toward renewable energy and more targeted public support, warning that trying to compete globally on fossil fuel costs is “a race already lost.” In their view, the current model risks undermining both competitiveness and climate ambitions simultaneously.
Beyond the economic concerns, the article also highlights tensions around industrial governance. CSC criticises the fact that upcoming discussions on the future of the chemical industry — scheduled in Antwerp and Alden-Biesen — are taking place without union participation, even though workers are directly affected.
The union argues that excluding employees from strategic decisions risks repeating the policy mistakes that have already contributed to recent job losses.
CSC outlines a broad call for change, urging policymakers to place workers and climate objectives at the centre of industrial strategy. The organisation advocates for conditional public support, stronger European value chains and a transition toward a more circular and sustainable chemical industry.
The message is that the sector does not lack financial support — but rather needs a different strategic direction to remain viable in the long term.
Taken together, the CSC assessment signals rising pressure for a policy rethink in Belgium’s chemical sector. While public funding continues to flow, employment risks, energy dependency and climate challenges are converging.
For industry stakeholders, the debate is likely to intensify in 2026 as policymakers, companies and labour representatives grapple with how to secure the sector’s future in a rapidly changing industrial landscape.
Bottom line: Belgium’s chemical industry is receiving significant public support but remains under heavy strain. Without a strategic shift toward sustainable energy and stronger employment safeguards, unions warn the sector could face deeper disruption in the years ahead.
Beyond the economic concerns, the article also highlights tensions around industrial governance. CSC criticises the fact that upcoming discussions on the future of the chemical industry — scheduled in Antwerp and Alden-Biesen — are taking place without union participation, even though workers are directly affected.
The union argues that excluding employees from strategic decisions risks repeating the policy mistakes that have already contributed to recent job losses.
CSC outlines a broad call for change, urging policymakers to place workers and climate objectives at the centre of industrial strategy. The organisation advocates for conditional public support, stronger European value chains and a transition toward a more circular and sustainable chemical industry.
The message is that the sector does not lack financial support — but rather needs a different strategic direction to remain viable in the long term.
Taken together, the CSC assessment signals rising pressure for a policy rethink in Belgium’s chemical sector. While public funding continues to flow, employment risks, energy dependency and climate challenges are converging.
For industry stakeholders, the debate is likely to intensify in 2026 as policymakers, companies and labour representatives grapple with how to secure the sector’s future in a rapidly changing industrial landscape.
Bottom line: Belgium’s chemical industry is receiving significant public support but remains under heavy strain. Without a strategic shift toward sustainable energy and stronger employment safeguards, unions warn the sector could face deeper disruption in the years ahead.
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