Industrial Infrastructure Imperiled by International Imbalances

The European steel industry stands as a cornerstone of continental prosperity, directly employing over 300,000 people & supporting millions more through indirect economic activities. As the backbone of numerous key industrial value chains, including clean technologies spanning from renewable energy systems to electric vehicles, steel has remained foundational to European Union development. This sector has consistently driven prosperity, resilience, & innovation across member states, establishing Europe as a global leader in metallurgical excellence & technological advancement.

 Competitive Challenges Compromise Continental Capabilities

European steel's viability & leadership in breakthrough decarbonisation projects, worth billions in investments, now face unprecedented threats from multiple fronts. Global steel overcapacity has created market distortions that undermine fair competition, while unfair trade practices from international competitors erode Europe's market position. High energy costs & increasing carbon prices further compound these challenges, systematically eroding Europe's industrial competitiveness as highlighted in the recent comprehensive Draghi Report on European economic competitiveness.

 Parliamentary Platform Promotes Policy Deliberations

EUROFER has organized a pivotal conference running alongside the exhibition "Steel: At the Heart of Europe, Stronger with European Steel," hosted at the European Parliament from November 19 to 21. This strategic timing coincides with the new European Commission's preparation to begin its work, with President Ursula von der Leyen's pledge to take decisive action within the first 100 days. The conference brings together Members of the European Parliament, steel industry leaders, & social partners to address these pressing challenges through collaborative dialogue.

 Strategic Solutions Seek Sectoral Sustainability

Conference participants will exchange views on immediate actions needed to secure investments in green steel & protect quality jobs across Europe. The discussions will focus on crafting a strategic, comprehensive set of measures across all policy areas to ensure Europe's competitive edge in the race for climate-neutral production. These deliberations aim to identify practical solutions that balance environmental objectives with economic competitiveness, ensuring the steel sector's transition remains viable & sustainable.

 Comprehensive Coordination Creates Competitive Advantage

The proposed Steel Action Plan represents a holistic approach to addressing the sector's multifaceted challenges through coordinated policy interventions. Panellists will explore how to develop measures that span trade policy, energy pricing, carbon regulation, & investment incentives to create a supportive ecosystem for European steel production. This comprehensive strategy recognizes that isolated interventions cannot adequately address the complex interplay of factors affecting the industry's competitiveness.

 Temporal Urgency Triggers Transformative Initiatives

The conference's timing reflects the urgent need for immediate action to prevent further erosion of Europe's steel manufacturing base. With global competitors gaining market share through subsidized production & lower environmental standards, European steelmakers face an increasingly challenging operating environment. The Steel Action Plan must therefore provide rapid relief while establishing long-term frameworks for sustainable growth & technological leadership in green steel production.

 Ecosystem Resilience Requires Robust Response

Industry leaders emphasize that an EU Steel Action Plan is urgently needed not only to safeguard a sustainable future for the sector, but to ensure the resilience of Europe's entire industrial ecosystem. The steel industry's interconnected nature means that its decline would cascade through automotive, construction, machinery, & renewable energy sectors, potentially undermining Europe's broader industrial strategy. Conference participants will therefore examine how steel sector support contributes to overall European economic resilience & strategic autonomy.

 Collaborative Consensus Catalyzes Constructive Change

The EUROFER conference serves as a crucial platform for building consensus among stakeholders on the most effective approaches to steel sector challenges. By bringing together policymakers, industry representatives, & social partners, the event aims to forge a shared understanding of priorities & trade-offs involved in crafting effective policy responses. This collaborative approach ensures that the resulting Steel Action Plan reflects diverse perspectives while maintaining focus on practical, implementable solutions that can deliver tangible results for European steel communities.

Key Takeaways:

• European steel industry employs over 300,000 people directly & faces threats from global overcapacity, unfair trade practices, high energy costs, & increasing carbon prices

• EUROFER conference at European Parliament from November 19-21 will discuss immediate actions needed to secure green steel investments & protect quality jobs across Europe

• The proposed EU Steel Action Plan aims to provide comprehensive measures across all policy areas to ensure Europe's competitive edge in climate-neutral steel production