Critical Chemicals
Strategic chemical substances identified as essential for industrial resilience, decarbonisation, and key value chains, often subject to specific industrial policy support, supply chain monitoring, or sovereignty-related initiatives.
Foresight tracks Critical Chemicals developments and surfaces the alerts most likely to matter before they turn into missed deadlines, recalls, or escalation work.
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4 April 2026, 10:32
Latest Critical Chemicals alerts
The most recent regulatory and guidance signals tracked by Foresight
US House Introduces Bioindustrial Scale-Up for Supply Chains and Energy Resiliency Act of 2026 (H.R. 7936)
The US House introduced H.R. 7936 in March 2026 to accelerate the commercialization of bioindustrial manufacturing and strengthen domestic supply chains for chemicals and energy materials. This proposal signals a shift toward federally supported, open-access infrastructure for scaling biotechnology, offering manufacturers new pathways to transition from fossil-based to bio-based feedstocks.
United StatesEU Commission Clarifies CRMA Assessment and Competition Rules for High‑Purity Vacuum Salt
The European Commission is assessing high-purity vacuum salt for potential inclusion in the EU Critical Raw Materials list, with a formal update scheduled by May 2027. Strategic planning should account for possible supply diversification mandates and increased antitrust oversight to mitigate market concentration risks in the high-purity salt sector.
European UnionUK Government Temporarily Restarts Ensus Plant To Safeguard CO2 Supplies
The UK government has secured a three-month temporary restart of the Ensus bioethanol plant to stabilize critical domestic CO2 supplies amid global geopolitical and industrial disruptions. This intervention highlights persistent supply chain vulnerabilities for CO2-dependent sectors, signaling a need for businesses to prioritize supply diversification and contingency planning for essential industrial gases.
United KingdomUS Senate Introduces S.4148 on Fertiliser Production Grants and Loans
US Senate Bill S.4148 proposes new federal grants and loans to expand domestic fertilizer production and strengthen agricultural supply chains. If enacted, this signals a strategic shift toward subsidizing domestic chemical manufacturing capacity to mitigate global supply chain risks and reduce import dependency.
United StatesEuropean Commission Outlines Short-Term Support Measures for EU Chemical Sector in Response to European Parliament Question
The European Commission has outlined a comprehensive support package for the EU chemical sector, focusing on energy cost relief, trade defense, and streamlined investment frameworks. Businesses should anticipate increased state aid opportunities and a more protective trade environment as the EU prioritizes the domestic production of "critical" chemical substances.
European UnionMinnesota HF 4276 Would Require 2028 Report on Fluoropolymers in Consumer Products
Minnesota introduced HF 4276 in March 2026, mandating a 2028 report on the health impacts, regulatory needs, and critical uses of fluoropolymers in consumer products. This move signals a structured intent to build the administrative and scientific framework for future restrictions or "essential use" designations of fluorinated polymers.
United StatesEuropean Committee of the Regions Publishes Study on Place-Based Approach to Strengthening EU Chemicals Industry
The European Committee of the Regions has published a strategic study outlining a place-based approach to revitalizing the EU chemicals industry amidst rising global competition and energy costs. This signals a shift toward localized industrial policy and the "Critical Chemicals Alliance," suggesting that future EU support and regulatory relief will increasingly prioritize regional clusters and strategic autonomy.
European UnionUSITC Institutes AD/CVD Investigations on Lithium Hexafluorophosphate From China
The USITC has launched antidumping and countervailing duty investigations into Chinese lithium hexafluorophosphate, a key electrolyte salt for the battery industry. Stakeholders should prepare for potential tariff-driven price volatility and supply chain disruption as the US moves to protect domestic production of critical battery chemicals.
United StatesEU Industrial Accelerator Act Proposal Criticised By Dutch Chemical Industry Association
The EU has proposed the Industrial Accelerator Act to accelerate industrial capacity and decarbonisation through streamlined permitting and "lead market" creation. Chemical firms should prepare for potential demand-side mandates for sustainable substances and mixtures as the EU seeks to boost the market for low-carbon, European-made products.
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NetherlandsAlabama House Proposes State Energy Supply and Chemical Trade Stabilization Act (HB 554)
Alabama introduced HB 554 to establish financial incentives and a risk assessment board aimed at stabilizing the state's chemical and energy supply chains by July 2026. Manufacturers should evaluate eligibility for new tax credits and grants to offset costs of reshoring production or diversifying feedstock sources amid global trade volatility.
United StatesUS House TSCA Discussion Draft Could Preempt New Mexico PFAS Protection Act
US House Republicans have proposed a TSCA modernization draft that would tighten risk evaluation standards and potentially preempt stricter state-level chemical regulations. This shift could streamline federal chemical approvals while significantly weakening state-led PFAS bans and consumer product safety restrictions.
United StatesEuropean Commission's Industrial Accelerator Act Proposal: Cefic Calls For Stronger Demand-Side Measures For Chemicals
The European Commission proposed the Industrial Accelerator Act in March 2026 to accelerate permitting and strengthen competitiveness for strategic decarbonization projects. Companies should monitor the legislative process for potential investment support and public procurement advantages for low-carbon and EU-manufactured chemical products.
European UnionUS House Bill H.R. 7601 Proposes To Block Funding for Executive Order 14387 on Elemental Phosphorus and Glyphosate-Based Herbicides
US House Bill H.R. 7601 was introduced in February 2026 to block federal funding for the implementation of Executive Order 14387, which prioritizes domestic supplies of phosphorus and glyphosate. This legislative challenge signals significant political opposition to federal supply-chain interventions, creating uncertainty for manufacturers regarding future government-mandated contract prioritization and material allocation.
United StatesCalifornia SB 1306 Proposes Exemptions for Gamma-Butyrolactone Mixtures from Precursor Reporting
California introduced SB 1306 in February 2026 to exempt chemical mixtures with 70% or less gamma-butyrolactone (GBL) from state precursor permitting and reporting. This alignment with federal standards aims to reduce administrative burdens for semiconductor and advanced manufacturing sectors while maintaining controls on high-concentration substances.
United StatesIndia Joins Pax Silica Initiative on AI and Semiconductor Supply Chains
India has joined the 10-nation Pax Silica initiative, formalizing a partnership with the U.S. to secure supply chains for semiconductors and AI-critical materials. This signals a shift toward coordinated multi-jurisdictional governance and investment in high-tech ecosystems, impacting long-term sourcing strategies and regulatory alignment for advanced computing technologies.
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United Arab EmiratesUnited KingdomUnited States Executive Order Uses Defense Production Act To Ensure Supply Of Elemental Phosphorus And Glyphosate-Based Herbicides
The U.S. has invoked the Defense Production Act to prioritize the domestic supply and allocation of elemental phosphorus and glyphosate-based herbicides. This move signals aggressive federal intervention to secure critical chemical supply chains, impacting procurement strategies for the defense, semiconductor, and agricultural sectors.
United StatesEU Issues Notice Of Impending Expiry Of Mono Ethylene Glycol Anti-Dumping Duties
EU anti-dumping duties on mono ethylene glycol from the US and Saudi Arabia are set to expire on 16 November 2026. Downstream users should prepare for potential shifts in supply costs, while EU producers must submit review requests by August 2026 to maintain market protections.
European UnionCouncil Discussion Paper: The Chemical Sector as "The Industry of the Industries" — Priorities for Future Targeted Measures
The EU Council Trio Presidency has released a strategic discussion paper prioritizing the chemical sector's competitiveness amid rising energy costs and industrial capacity closures. This signals a shift toward better integrating industrial competitiveness into the implementation of REACH, ETS, and CBAM, potentially leading to more pragmatic enforcement and targeted support for critical chemical value chains.
European UnionEU Council Prepares Competitiveness Council Debate On Emergency Plans For Industrial Resilience (Clean Industrial Deal)
EU ministers will debate emergency industrial resilience plans on February 26, 2026, focusing on the steel, automotive, and chemicals sectors under the Clean Industrial Deal. This signals a strategic pivot toward reinforced trade defenses, expanded CBAM obligations, and a PFAS restriction framework that protects critical industrial applications.
European UnionEuropean Chemical Workers’ Emergency Summit Issues Declaration Calling For EU Action
European chemical unions have issued an emergency declaration warning of a systemic crisis in the sector and demanding urgent EU intervention to prevent mass site closures and job losses. This signal increases pressure on EU policymakers to link industrial subsidies to social guarantees and implement aggressive trade-defense measures to protect domestic chemical value chains.
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