EUROFER calls for urgent measures to ensure TRQ to preserve ferroalloy production

The European Steel Producers Association (EUROFER) has called on the European Union to accept the European Commission's proposal to introduce tariff quotas (TRQ) to protect the EU's ferroalloy industry, calling this measure the industry's "last chance" for survival. According to EUROFER, the industry has been on edge as growing imports have led to a decline in market share and profitability. The association warned that without protective measures, the ferroalloy sector could disappear within a few years, EU users would face complete dependence on foreign suppliers, and such dependence would expose the steel industry to supply continuity risks and non-market price pressures.

EUROFER stressed that the European Commission's proposal is not a general tariff for all imports. Instead, it introduces the TRQ mechanism, which allows for "limited but still very significant" volumes of duty-free imports, ensuring a fair balance between EU steel producers and global suppliers. The Association emphasizes that:

• TRQ is neutral towards the country and is not aimed at specific exporters,
• the goal is to support the economic sustainability of the EU, not restrict trade,
• this measure protects suppliers of extractive raw materials needed for steel production.

Strategic importance for the value of metals in Europe chainp>

As the steel industry is the main consumer of ferroalloys, EUROFER stressed the strategic importance of maintaining domestic production capacity to preserve the integrity of the European metals value chain.

The loss of ferroalloy producers in the EU will jeopardize industrial autonomy at a time when Europe is striving to provide raw materials for environmentally friendly and digital industries in transition.

EUROFER concluded that the adoption of the TRQ guarantee is the only realistic measure to prevent the collapse of the EU ferroalloy sector and avoid a situation where European steel producers are completely dependent on third-country suppliers.