Dear colleagues,

Orgalim's latest economic forecast for the technology sectors makes for sobering reading. Supply chain challenges, materials shortages and falling demand as the cost-of-living crisis bites - all are taking their toll on Europe’s industrial competitiveness. Looming largest of all are spiralling energy costs, climbing ever higher as the war in Ukraine grinds on. And these pressures are coming to a head as time is running out to curb the climate crisis, starkly highlighted once more at the COP27 meeting in November.

As we search for ways to deliver energy security while accelerating the green transition, electrification and sector coupling are increasingly in the limelight: linking different parts of the energy system with enabling technologies in order to massively increase the availability and efficiency of renewable energy. This was the central focus of our conference hosted this month in Zurich in partnership with Swissmem, which zoomed in on the innovations 'made in Europe' that can make it happen.

Back in Brussels, we continue to work closely with EU policymakers on shaping a framework that can sharpen our industries' competitive edge in these challenging times. A crucial success factor will be upholding and strengthening the Single Market, the crowning achievement of European integration. Yet as we prepare to celebrate 30 years since its establishment, we are also increasingly concerned that its foundations are under stress. Ensuring the right policies are in place to drive prosperity and innovation during the next 30 years will be high on our agenda for 2023. We look forward to working with the incoming Swedish Council Presidency on this and other shared priorities, from boosting the EU’s future competitiveness to accelerating the climate transition.

Take care,