The #glass industry had strong representation today at the workshop on ‘Competitiveness, Industrial Strategy, and the Green Economy,’ chaired by MEP João Cotrim de Figueiredo.
Adrien Carton, speaking on behalf of Glass for Europe, presented key elements of the #flatglass sector 2024-2029 manifesto. He emphasized the critical need for accelerated investments in building renovation as part of a forward-thinking industrial policy. Additionally, he highlighted the importance of circularity in construction to promote the recycling of materials like old #glazing. Adrien explained, "The flat glass sector's business model is deeply tied to the EU's climate neutrality goals. Our high-performance products are essential to reducing energy use in buildings." Revising climate targets should not be a priority.
Bertrand Cazes, Secretary General of Glass Alliance Europe, also participated in the discussion. When asked about key priorities for a new industrial policy, Bertrand identified three critical areas:
- Ensuring access to affordable energy and making investments in energy infrastructure.
- Supporting decarbonization efforts in the glass industry through targeted funding and a prudent approach to potential CBAM extensions.
- Implementing incentives to boost the use of low-carbon, European-made glass. Bertrand emphasized the importance of a well-executed NZIA that includes glass' upstream components of net-zero technologies, alongside enforcing trade defense measures where necessary.
The workshop saw participation from around 20 representatives from various sectors, including digital, retail, start-ups, and industry.
A big thank you to the organizers for giving the glass industry a seat at the table. We look forward to continued collaboration toward a sustainable and competitive future!
#competitiveness #industry #industrialpolicy #decarbonization #renovation #circularity
