EU policy discussions impacting Steel for Packaging
EU policy discussions impacting Steel for Packaging
by Metka Cavka Luciani, Head of EU Affairs
The start of 2025 was marked by unprecedented developments for the European steel industry. Our steel for packaging industry remains committed to continuously supporting the competitiveness and circular economy agenda of the EU.
In January 2025, the President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen presented the Competitiveness Compass, a new roadmap to restore Europe’s dynamism and boost economic growth. A joint strategy for decarbonisation and competitiveness is said to be a top policy priority, alongside closing the innovation gap and increasing security, through reducing excessive dependencies.
The compass identifies ways to make sure the EU is competitive in all sectors. For example, we can expect to see a series of proposals to simplify rules, reduce the regulatory burden and accelerate administrative procedures.
The challenges for the competitiveness of our sector are high energy costs, exposure to an unlevel playing field and international competition, decarbonisation investment needs and regulatory burden.
Additionally, the European steel industry has found itself in the middle of a geopolitical rift between the EU and China, as well as the US. Following the imposition of the US tariffs of 25 % earlier in March this year, the the EU has announced a new measure to replace the global steel safeguards, after the expiry of the existing protection.
We welcome the EU’s pledge to facilitate access to affordable energy. The Clean Industrial Deal and the Action Plan for Affordable Energy announced a range of measures and the need for a concrete action plan for the metals sectors. The focus is on the key challenges of lowering energy costs, creating lead markets for low-carbon products, increasing circularity, levelling the international playing field and leveraging investments.
Circular economy continues to be in our focus, with the Circular Economy Act, planned in the last quarter of 2026. We look forward to taking part in the stakeholder Dialogue on Circularity.
