Europe’s metals industry will be hit with another wave of curtailments and closures unless steps are taken to address soaring energy prices, a group that represents some of the region’s biggest producers has warned.
Eurometaux, which counts groups such as Glencore and Rio Tinto as members, wrote to Ursula von der Leyen, European Commission president, on Tuesday to press the EU to consider releasing strategic gas reserves and capping carbon prices to help support smelters.
“Without stronger EU and member state action, there is a real risk of further curtailments and closures in our sector, to the detriment of Europe’s strategic autonomy goals,” said the letter, which also makes the case for emergency state aid.