Eurofer on the challenges and achievements of EU metallurgy

Metallurgists welcomed the position of the head of the European Association Eurofer on the need to strengthen market protection. Recalling, however, that other aspects of EU policy pose a real threat to the industry.

Axel Eggert, CEO of Eurofer, notes that free trade is not the absence of any rules, but rather strict rules that everyone must follow. Eggert says Eurofer is calling on EU member states to modernize market policies in order to achieve impact. The steel industry was pleased with the support announced, but noted that the results could be undermined by other aspects of EU policy.

The future of the industry is threatened by the consequences of the changes proposed by the EU Commission to the ETS emissions trading scheme. “The European steel industry supports the ambitious goals of the European Union's climate policy,” said Axel Eggert and recalled that the metallurgical industry has invested a lot in research and development, introducing more and more new technologies.

Eggert reiterated that the latest proposals for changes to the ETS should set realistic limits. This will cost the industry 34 billion euros for the period 2021 - 2030. At the very least, the most efficient factories should not bear the costs associated with ETS. Otherwise, we risk losing many of them and thousands of jobs, as well as increasing production in countries where emissions from the production process have become much higher than in Europe.

“We hope the European Commission will take into account the cumulative impact of its policies,” said Axel Eggert.