21 February 2025 • REF: 25PFP002
PFP represents the European primary food processing industry, a vital link in the food chain that delivers safe, high quality food products while supporting food security, rural economies and industrial competitiveness across Europe. The industry processes approximately 220 million tonnes of agricultural raw materials every year and directly employs more than 120,000 people.
PFP welcomes the development of a Clean Industrial Deal and calls for energy, climate, trade, agriculture, regulatory and innovation policies that support the competitiveness and long term sustainability of Europe’s primary food processing industry.
The organisation stresses that primary food processing installations face many of the same decarbonisation challenges as heavy industry. As a result, PFP is calling for a dedicated Action Plan for the Food Industry that recognises the sector’s strategic importance within Europe’s industrial and food systems.
PFP identifies three major drivers of industrial carbon reduction. The first is process electrification, which requires competitive long term electricity contracts, expanded grid infrastructure, simplified permitting procedures and lower taxes, tariffs and energy levies. The second is the energetic use of residues, allowing food processing by products to contribute to renewable energy generation while supporting the objectives of RED III and the Clean Industrial Deal. The third is adequate public funding, including support for both mature and innovative technologies, fair access to funding across Member States and the creation of a European competitiveness fund.
The organisation also calls for easier access to public funding through permanent support services, simplified application procedures and flexible mechanisms capable of responding to changing project costs during the early stages of decarbonisation investments.
PFP believes that the forthcoming Industrial Decarbonisation Accelerator Act should address the needs of all energy intensive industries, including primary food processors. Although relatively small in size compared with some industrial sectors, primary food processing occupies a central position within the agri food value chain and plays an essential role in food sovereignty, supply chain resilience and industrial competitiveness.
To accelerate decarbonisation and industrial transformation, PFP recommends reducing electricity prices, supporting process electrification, creating a dedicated Action Plan for the Food Industry, accelerating grid connections through simplified permitting, increasing funding opportunities for both mature and innovative technologies, and establishing new support mechanisms through the Industrial Decarbonisation Accelerator Act.
The organisation also emphasises the importance of research, development and innovation. It calls for stronger access to knowledge, technology transfer, education, legal certainty and research investment. Particular attention should be given to implementing the European Protein Strategy, strengthening the Bioeconomy Strategy, expanding food and non food synergies, and supporting alternative markets such as green chemistry and biofuels.
PFP further advocates for improved planning and implementation of research and innovation solutions, including the creation of an EU Food Investment & Resilience Plan. The organisation considers stronger support for bio based products, circular economy initiatives and resource efficiency essential to maintaining long term competitiveness.
Global trade remains a key component of food security and resilience. PFP therefore supports policies that maintain a level playing field for European agriculture and food production while encouraging sustainability and competitiveness in international markets.
The organisation calls for stronger cooperation with third countries to improve sustainability standards, a vigilant approach toward unfair trade practices, balanced and reciprocal tariff liberalisation, and greater international harmonisation of environmental, social and food safety standards.
PFP brings together the European Association of Sugar Manufacturers (CEFS), the European Cocoa Association (ECA), the European Flour Milling Association, the European Starch Industry Association (Starch Europe), the European Vegetable Protein Association (EUVEPRO), and the European Vegetable Oil and Proteinmeal Industry (FEDIOL).
PFP members process approximately 220 million tonnes of raw materials and employ more than 120,000 people across the European Union.
