Europe's competitiveness challenge: Energy, rare earths and industrial sovereignty

Europe's industrial model is under pressure. High energy costs, geopolitical tensions and growing competition from China and the US are forcing policymakers and businesses to rethink economic security. In this episode of Economic Security Watch, Danielle Myles speaks with Philippe Kehren, CEO of Belgian chemicals group Solvay, about what Europe must do to remain competitive. Kehren argues that energy security, industrial sovereignty and resilient supply chains are now inseparable. He discusses the role of rare earths, the need for local production of strategic materials, Europe's energy transition, and why policymakers must work more closely with industry to secure the continent's industrial future. Timestamps 00:00 - Welcome to Economic Security Watch 01:26 - Solvay's Global Operational Challenges 05:17 - Europe's Industrial Competitiveness 08:37 - Policy for re-industrialisation & energy 16:25 - Europe's decisive economic moment 18:33 - How to contact Economic Security Watch fDi Intelligence's Economic Security Watch podcast keeps you in the know as investors navigate a world increasingly viewed through a national security lens. Read our leading analysis here. Episodes will be delivered monthly, corresponding to our Economic Security newsletter. Sign up here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.