Historically high energy prices are weakening the European economy. High energy costs increase production costs and are a major driver of inflation. So, the flat glass produced in the EU is becoming less competitive. There is already an increase in imports of glass products, suspension of production at some enterprises and postponement of investments.
This is happening against a background of inflation, lower economic growth and increasing energy poverty.
Glass Alliance Europe asks to support the glass industry at the EU and national levels. Among the necessary measures the alliance calls for:
- to ensure a continuous energy supply;
- to contain energy costs;
- to provide immediate relief to companies throughout the glass value chains;
- to issue the permit for re-introducing heavy fuel oil for glass melting, and reduce permitting time for biogas;
- to exempt from taxes and fees for electricity and gas;
- to continue the trade defence measures on subsidised and dumped imports, where relevant.
