Antwerp Declaration community urges EU leaders to deliver emergency measures as Europe’s competitiveness crisis deepens
Antwerp, 11 February 2026 — Ahead of the European Council meeting in Alden Biesen, the Antwerp Declaration Community – representing more than 1,300 companies, associations and trade unions across Europe – called on EU Heads of State and Government to take urgent and bold action to restore Europe’s industrial competitiveness, safeguard high-quality jobs for European workers, and turn the Clean Industrial Deal into outcomes felt on factory floors in 2026.
The call was made at the European Industry Summit, which brought together over 500 business leaders, 30 factory workers, and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, under the auspices of Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever. Senior EU leaders including German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, French President Emmanuel Macron, Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof, Austrian Chancellor Christian Stocker Senior, and EU leaders including Executive Vice Presidents Teresa Ribera and Stéphane Séjourné, Commissioner Wopke Hoekstra, also joined, underscoring the political urgency of Europe’s industrial crisis.
“The European detergents and hygiene products industry is a key contributor to Europe’s productivity, resilience and innovation capacity. However, without a stronger Single Market, predictable rules and competitive conditions, there is a risk of slowing down investments and innovation. European companies are ready to drive innovation, productivity and sustainable growth, and with the right enabling framework in place, Europe can unlock the full potential of its manufacturing sectors — strengthening competitiveness while delivering safe, sustainable solutions that benefit citizens, businesses and the wider economy.” said Quentin de Hults, Chief Operating Officer of A.I.S.E.
The Community calls on EU leaders to ensure that the Alden Biesen meeting becomes the moment when Europe commits to bold, coordinated measures that restore industrial competitiveness, and secure high-quality jobs for future generations with visible results in 2026.
