Brussels 13 January 2016 – Cefic is pleased to announce a fresh investment round to support an innovative project designed to help European chemical companies to improve their energy efficiency. Known as SPiCE3 (Sectoral Platform in Chemicals for Energy Efficiency Excellence), the initiative provides a wealth of free resources to all chemical companies: including workshops, peer-to-peer mentoring, on-site coaching and targeted events promoting best practice. 

Europe’s SMEs represent a huge collective potential for driving energy efficiency, but can face challenges such as the lack of tools, expertise or resources. SPiCE3 will continue to provide accessible, hands-on assistance to SMEs, helping them to implement concrete measures that boost their energy efficiency.

Over 6,500 European companies have so far been reached through: 

• 63 SME on-site trainings
• 48 workshops at the local level reaching more than 650 participants 
• 3 EU-wide events raising awareness of energy management best practices 
• www.spice3.eu, a one-stop online portal for energy efficiency information and resources, including case studies, best practices, funding guides and newsletters.

The continued investment by Cefic consolidates an industry-wide commitment to support increasing energy efficiency and competitiveness. As an energy intensive industry, the chemical sector alone consumes around 12% of the EU’s total energy demand, and one-third of EU industrial energy use. In addition, energy can be up to 25% of the total costs of an SME in the EU chemical sector. Increasing energy efficiency is thus essential to preserving the industry’s competitiveness while, at the same time, helping to meet the EU’s climate goals.