The Manifesto 2024-2029 on the competitiveness of European ceramics

During the European Ceramic Days (Brussels, 27-29 November), an annual meeting of representatives of the European ceramics industry and MEPs, officials and EU policy-makers, Cerame-Unie presented the “Ceramic Manifesto 2024-2029. Ensuring Europe’s Sustainability with ceramic manufacturing”, a document outlining the sector’s competitiveness priorities ahead of the upcoming European elections.

To enable the continued production of ceramics in Europe, a vital material for the EU’s sustainability goals, it is necessary to adopt climate policies that take account of the social and economic sustainability of the decarbonisation pathway. It is also essential to ensure a level playing field both inside and outside the EU single market and to rapidly deploy effective trade defence measures when needed.

To secure the future of ceramics in Europe, key priorities for the 2024-2029 legislative term listed in the Manifesto include an urgent review of the ETS, enabling indirect cost compensation, eliminating penalties for cogeneration and banning speculative manoeuvres on CO2 emission allowances (EUAs). The aim with regard to energy is to achieve secure access to green energy sources at competitive prices within an integrated European market.

In addition to correcting the negative carbon differential of non-EU ceramics imported into the EU market through the CBAM (Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism), the Manifesto also calls on the EU to guarantee export adjustments to allow EU producers to remain competitive in export markets.

The document also argues in favour of adopting material-neutral policies for construction that consider the full life cycle at both building and product level, including the long lifespan of ceramic construction materials, as well as adopting harmonised policies and standards across the EU. It stresses the need for all decision-making processes to be based on the results of scientific research.

The European ceramic industry association Cerame-Unie is an umbrella organisation that represents industrial manufacturers of ceramic floor and wall tiles, ceramic sanitaryware, bricks and roof tiles, tableware, refractory materials, technical ceramics, clay pipes and expanded clay products across its 29 European member countries.

Download the Manifesto (PDF).

December 2023