The European Union has formed a Critical Chemicals Alliance to identify molecules essential for Europe's resilience and potentially make them eligible for state aid or trade measures.

France is advocating within the EU to classify molecules like ammonia and ethylene as critical, which would make them eligible for state aid.

The automotive sector consumes approximately one quarter of Germany's total chemical production.

Germany is opposing France's proposal to classify certain chemicals as critical to receive state aid, favoring instead policies that lower energy prices and reduce bureaucracy.

Germany is the largest chemical producer in Europe.