The CIA gathers industry insights through a quarterly business survey to advocate for our members’ interests with policy makers, regulators and other stakeholders.
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The CIA is proud to announce the launch of the new Sustainable Health Metrics Tool.
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The chemical and pharmaceutical industry is fundamental to modern society. With an immense variety of products, from vital medicines and foods, the construction of buildings, to transport and leisure, the industry truly does have an impact on virtually every aspect of our daily lives.
Read moreAgainst a backdrop of very limited economic growth and public expenditure squeeze, today’s Government Spring Statement does however offer some opportunity for UK business investment. The increase in defence spending should give encouragement to key foundation industries such as chemicals as suppliers of essential components and equipment to the defence sector. Similarly, progress on planning reform to underpin an accelerated house-building programme over the next 5 years should translate into growth opportunities for construction chemical suppliers.
Let’s not forget, however, that these opportunities for chemical businesses will only be maximised if they are matched over the coming weeks and months by concrete action to tackle the fundamental competitiveness challenges faced by many U.K. manufacturing sectors - namely crippling energy costs; incoherent carbon reduction policies and access to key skills. Address these constraints and we’ll see a rise in investor confidence in the U.K. and the return of much needed economic growth across the country.
In a significant advocacy win for the CIA, in collaboration with the Energy Intensive Users Group (EIUG) and Hydrogen UK, we are pleased to see the government’s commitment to removing the Climate Change Levy (CCL) costs from electricity used in electrolysis to produce hydrogen. This is a significant step towards equalising the tax treatment between green and blue hydrogen production.
Historically, natural gas used as a feedstock in hydrogen production has been exempted from the Climate Change Levy (CCL), a tax levied on business energy use. In contrast, electricity used in electrolysis for green hydrogen production has faced the full CCL charge. This had become a substantial barrier to progress for at least some of the 11 projects named, in the Chancellor’s Autumn Statement last year, as beneficiaries of funding through the Government’s Hydrogen Allocation Round 1.
With the announcement of the Government’s intention to exempt electricity used in electrolysis from the CCL we should hopefully now see these projects more forward. Interestingly, the announcement was accompanied by a wider consultation on the fitness of the CCL to achieve the aims of the energy transition.
Please find the consultation here – which will be open until 7th May.
Since 2004, the prominence given to sustainability across politics and society has changed considerably and CIA’s membership has responded accordingly. Each and every stakeholder has a role in transitioning to and building a more sustainable society. Collaboration and, in particular, peer support and learning are central to ...
