Amid the energy crisis in Europe, Glass Alliance Europe has welcomed the recognition by European Commission President Ursula Von der Leyen that ‘targeted support is needed (…) like the glass makers across Europe’ as part of her State of the European Union speech delivered on 14 September.

‘It is encouraging for all actors in the glass sector to hear that, at the highest political level, there is a recognition that the glass industry needs to access energy in a continuous manner and at affordable costs,’ declared Bertrand Cazes, Secretary General of Glass Alliance Europe. ‘Without mechanisms that drastically slash the price of gas, terribly harsh months ahead are to be feared in the glass sector.’

The present energy crisis dangerously weakens Europe’s glass industry with suspension of activities announced by some companies. It needs to remain viable to continue producing in Europe all glass products essential in many critical value chains such as the food, beverage, building and infrastructure, transport, pharmaceuticals, and renewable energy sectors.

Glass Alliance Europe emphasised that energy costs represent a substantial share of glass production costs, yet the glass industry is so far entitled to no EU dedicated support scheme. The announced ‘targeted support’ should therefore be put in place rapidly and be designed to respond to the needs of the glass industry.

Glass Alliance Europe also calls on the European Commission to revise the guidelines on ‘indirect costs under the EU Emissions Trading Scheme’, to make sure that all glass sectors become eligible for indirect costs compensation for their soaring electricity costs.

Glass Alliance Europe remains available to support the European Commission in the design of effective targeted measures.

www.glassallianceeurope.eu

Caption: Bertrand Cazes, Secretary General of Glass Alliance Europe.