In their speeches, the panelists stressed the importance of a stable supply of raw materials for the value chains of key European industries. The European steel industry is at a critical juncture, facing the challenge of decarbonization, on the one hand, and trying to maintain production despite high energy prices, on the other, while struggling with the influx of cheaper and much more carbon-intensive production from third countries. In recent years, the EU has lost 30 million tons of steel production, which has moved to third countries without strict environmental regulations. Nearly 90% of the batteries used in the EU come from third countries, while the least carbon-intensive products produced in the member states are uncompetitive, as consumers do not want to pay the extra costs that come with clean production.
- The geopolitical situation related to global security and the competitiveness of the European economy is closely linked to the entire value chain of steel production and access to raw materials. The production of steel and its components in the form of coking coal and coke from local European critical raw materials should be recognized by the European Union institutions as a strategic reserve of raw material available and guaranteed from local resources. Without starting to simplify EU regulations and revising priorities in the form of, among other things, protecting the limited raw material base available in the European Union, it will not be possible to increase the production of raw materials needed to sustain key industries in the economy. We must keep in mind that dependence on third-country supplies is fraught with increasing risks, as shown by export restrictions imposed by China, for example. European industry needs to be protected and needs support to regain competitiveness, and to this end the EU must urgently address the problem of global overcapacity - said Jarosław Kluczniok, Vice-President of the JSW Management Board for Development.
The discussion made it clear that stronger action by the European Commission is needed to maintain the competitiveness and resilience of the European steel and automotive industries and their suppliers.
