Wednesday 19 March in the European Parliament, a vital discussion on the competitiveness of energy-intensive industries in the EU took place hosted by MEP Giorgio Gori , EP Rapporteur of the energy intensive industries resolution, and convened by the Alliance of Energy Intensive Industries, a group that includes Cerame-Unie among other industry representatives. This event provided a platform for discussing the challenges and opportunities facing these energy-intensive sectors, including the ceramic industry.

The event featured two panels that tackled key challenges and potential solutions:
💬 Panel 1: "Industry Perspectives: Analysing Competitiveness Challenges for EU Energy Intensive Industries building on their Positive Externalities for the EU Economy." 
💬 Panel 2: "Exploring Industry Insights: Policy Recommendations and Pathways Forward for Energy-Intensive Industries." 

Industry leaders and policymakers engaged in a constructive dialogue, including Johan Van der Biest, COO Region West at Wienerberger AG, representing ceramic industry as a member of the Cerame-Unie Board. 

Johan Van der Biest drew the attention of MEPs to 4 particular points crucial for ceramic industry

• Need for emergency measures on ETS and freezing the increase of carbon costs as long as energy prices to not return to pre-crisis level. 

• Extension of simplification measures for small emitters in the ETS Directive.

• Necessity for indirect carbon costs compensations to be extended to all energy intensive industries, including the ceramic industry .

• Call for specific dialogue and measures for energy-intensive industries in local and remote areas.