Chemical Logistics Cooperation in Central and Eastern Europe
The chemical industry in Central and Eastern Europe is mostly based on Russian raw materials. The use of roads and railways, the development of pipeline systems for the connection between the location of raw material and production in this context play an important role . Furthermore the important chemical locations in Poland, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Austria, and Hungary are lacking a direct access to sea harbours, which provides them with competitive disadvantages due to higher costs which arise, compared to chemical locations with excellent access to sea harbours and connected waterways in Western Europe. _x000D_
Furthermore, disadvantages which can be detected are the disproportionate use of road transport and resulting lower use of low cost railways. In many regions, especially in Eastern Europe, road traffic has reached its capacity limit. Further deficits are a barrier to the development of the chemical clusters: Capacities and the expansion of transport infrastructure are not sufficiently oriented towards the needs. There is a lack of harmonisation of technical, administrative and social regulations and laws in Europe. _x000D_
A joint transnational strategy is therefore necessary to overcome these problems. The project will strengthen the territorial cohesion in Central Europe by developing a Central and Eastern European Chemical Logistics Network which will improve the framework conditions for economic growth and regional development. A modern and safe infrastructure is also the precondition for new investments, creation of employment and increased productivity. Especially in regions lagging behind, improved infrastructure will give further impulses for growth and convergence and improve the quality of life. Even more a better connection between the chemical locations is a precondition for the sustainable development of the industry in the long-run, especially taking into account the increased competition from Asia and the Far East.