Global Trade Tensions are Rising, but Europe’s Industry Can Lead on Green Competitiveness
Welcome to our March Policy Update!
We are coming off a decisive moment for European industry, as new U.S. steel and aluminium tariffs reignite concerns over global trade tensions. This highlights the urgency of making European steel both competitive and resilient—without losing sight of decarbonisation. Our timely event on March 6 tackled this challenge, emphasizing the need for strategic policy action.
Meanwhile, the Clean Industrial Deal and Omnibus Packages set the stage for a more competitive and sustainable industry. EPICO published a blog post analysing the key takeaways, highlighting the positive steps on competitiveness and energy costs but also the lack of a clear plan for Europe’s stalled hydrogen ramp-up.
The expansion of CBAM and the potential inclusion of incineration under the ETS put waste treatment at the centre of EU climate policy. Without a structured transition plan, industries and municipalities face uncertainty. To address this, we are hosting a waste circularity event on March 18, launching a new policy brief to drive the debate.
EPICO’s Insights on the Clean Industrial Deal: Driving Industrial Decarbonisation and Competitiveness
The European Commission’s Clean Industrial Deal (CID) aims to align decarbonisation with industrial competitiveness by addressing key challenges such as high energy costs, supply chain resilience, and technological innovation. With its pledge to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 90% by 2040, the CID offers a structured path toward climate neutrality while providing long-term stability for European industry. The focus on public-private partnerships, energy flexibility, and leveraging the European Investment Bank’s role are steps in the right direction.
At EPICO, we welcome the CID's ambition, especially its emphasis on lead markets, state aid flexibility, and innovative financial tools like Contracts for Difference (CfDs) and Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs). However, there are significant gaps that must be addressed. While the CID makes progress on energy costs and grid reform, clarity on structural changes to grid fees is still lacking, and the hydrogen ramp-up remains insufficiently detailed. Additionally, although the CID aims to expand the EU ETS to incineration plants, the absence of landfill inclusion and the need for financial support for waste-to-energy solutions are missed opportunities.
The CID marks an important step in Europe's green transition, but will these initiatives translate into concrete action? Key issues such as investment certainty, hydrogen infrastructure, and circular economy measures require further attention.
To explore our full analysis, check out our blog post HERE.
WHAT YOU MIGHT HAVE MISSED – EPICO's Event “What Future for Steelmaking in the EU?
On 6 March 2025, EPICO hosted a timely and engaging event at the Press Club in Brussels, bringing together experts, policymakers, and industry leaders to discuss the future of steel decarbonisation. With the Clean Industrial Deal and the upcoming Steel and Metals Action Plan shaping the future of industrial decarbonisation, the discussions provided valuable insights into the key challenges and opportunities facing the sector.
The panel discussions focused on two critical areas: hydrogen and circularity. Hydrogen remains a cornerstone for reducing emissions in ore-based steel production, but scaling up supply continues to present significant challenges. Meanwhile, the circularity of the steel sector is gaining importance, with a focus on improving material efficiency, boosting high-quality recycling, and integrating recyclers into future policymaking.
The key takeaways from the event emphasized that decarbonisation strategies must address both primary ore-based steelmaking and secondary scrap-based steelmaking, recognizing that both resources are finite. Lead markets will be essential in driving demand for green steel, and future infrastructure should be built with this in mind. Circularity must go beyond recycling, with material efficiency improvements, better reuse practices, and policy support being critical to reducing emissions across the steel value chain.
We would like to extend our gratitude to all the speakers for their invaluable contributions to the event: Brigitte van den Berg, MEP; Alexandre Paquot, Director, Innovation for a Low Carbon Resilient Economy, DG CLIMA, European Commission; Axel Eggert, Director General, EUROFER; Ola Hansén, Public Affairs Director, Stegra; Lukas Wernert, Hydrogen Team Leader, DG ENER, European Commission; Anais Faucher, Policy Adviser, SolarPower Europe; Julia Ettinger, Secretary General, EuRIC; Aurel Ciobanu-Dordea, Director, Circular Economy, DG ENV, European Commission; Xavier Le Den, Market Director, Ramboll; Alexandre Marin, European Affairs Manager, RIVA Group.
For further insights, we invite you to read our comprehensive policy report on steel sector decarbonisation.
SAVE THE DATE: Join us for the launch of the "State of the European Steel Transition" report by the European Fossil-Fuel Steel Network on 25 March 2025.
... AND WHAT YOU SHOULD NOT MISS! - SAVE THE DATE: Circularity Down to the Last Scrap
Waste circularity is essential for reaching net zero and ensuring the competitiveness of European industry. Despite progress driven by the Circular Economy Action Plan and the European Green Deal, challenges persist. Recycling rates have stagnated, and a significant portion of municipal waste continues to be landfilled or incinerated. To meet its sustainability targets, the EU must explore new policy and financial instruments to accelerate the shift to more efficient, climate-friendly waste management solutions.
On 18 March 2025, from 12:00 until 14:30, join us for an engaging panel discussion that will examine how innovative solutions can transform waste into a valuable resource, aligning environmental and economic objectives. We will focus on key policy tools such as integrating waste-to-energy (WtE) facilities into the EU Emissions Trading System (ETS), the role of Carbon Contracts for Difference (CCfDs) in promoting advanced recycling technologies, and the potential of a dedicated Waste Climate Fund to support sustainable infrastructure across Member States.
We are pleased to welcome the following speakers:
- Chris Bolesta, Polish State Secretary for Climate and Environment
- Aurel Ciobanu-Dordea, Director, Circular Economy, DG ENV
- Maria-Vera Duran, Senior Technical Manager, EuRIC
- Roy Janssen, CTO, PreZero Netherlands
- Bernd Weber, CEO, EPICO Climate & Innovation
- Kira Taylor, EU Energy and Climate Reporter (moderator)
You can check out the full agenda HERE.
Make sure to register HERE.
Spotted: EPICO in the Media
- Bernd Weber provides a quote on the Affordable Energy Act in the Tagesspiegel. Read here (in German).
- Bernd Weber reiterates that climate protection is a business and economic necessity and provides comment on the Clean Industrial Deal. Read here (in German).
- Analysis of the Clean Industrial Deal’s impact on the steel sector, featuring EPICO’s perspective. Read here (in German).
- Bernd Weber highlights missing opportunity within the newly published Clean Industrial Deal. Read here.
- EPICO’s call to the new government for a stronger policy framework to support industrial transformation. Read here (in German).
- Bernd Weber reacts to the leaked Clean Industrial Deal and its potential consequences for European industry. Read here (in German).
- In Handelsblatt, Bernd Weber comments on the strategic direction of the Clean Industrial Deal. Read here (in German).
Are you a climate and energy journalist looking for new voices to interview? REACH OUT to EPICO’s Media and Communications Specialists Agata Gurgenidze (Germany) and Michela Sandron (EU).