The regional governments of the Valencian Community and Emilia-Romagna have signed a joint declaration in Brussels in defence of the industry
Ismael García Peris, President of ASCER: “It is essential to move towards a green transition that is compatible with industrial and economic competitiveness, preventing relocation and safeguarding the jobs of thousands of European families who depend on our sectors”
Graziano Verdi, Vice President of Confindustria Ceramica: “Energy costs and ETS levels are pushing the sector into an emergency situation that threatens companies”
The ceramic clusters of the Valencian Community and Emilia-Romagna stand among Europe’s foremost manufacturing strengths, with substantial economic weight and employment contribution: together, they produce around 80% of Europe’s ceramic tiles, generating more than 38,000 direct jobs and at least a further 120,000 across the value chain.
In the Valencian Community, the sector accounts for 3% of regional GDP and 22% of industrial GDP, with particular relevance in the province of Castellón, where it reaches 32% of GDP and over 25% of total employment. In Emilia-Romagna, the industry generates 3% of regional added value, 5% of exports and 10% of the positive trade balance. Moreover, in the provinces of Modena and Reggio Emilia, one in thirteen manufacturing workers is employed in the ceramic sector.
Despite these figures, the ceramic industry currently faces significant structural challenges that put its sustainability at risk. Although its share of emissions represents only 0.9% of the total under regulation—being one of the sectors with the lowest average emissions—the European Emissions Trading System (ETS) is imposing steadily increasing costs that are difficult to sustain for a sector considered “hard to decarbonise,” for which no mature, scalable technologies yet exist to further cut emissions.
The rise in CO₂ costs, combined with Europe’s high energy prices, is reducing profit margins, restricting investment, and benefiting non-EU producers subject to significantly lower environmental and social standards. The risk is clear: diminished industrial competitiveness, production relocation, loss of skilled jobs, and, paradoxically, higher global emissions.
For this reason, regional authorities and industry representatives have urged the European Union to adopt immediate, targeted measures for the sector, presenting a Joint Declaration today at the European Parliament. The declaration calls for adjustments to European climate policies and increased research support to safeguard the competitiveness and future of one of Europe’s leading industrial sectors.
Key proposals include temporarily suspending the ETS for the ceramic industry or, alternatively, implementing emergency measures such as freezing free allowances and adjusting benchmarks according to real technological feasibility. The proposals also include raising the eligibility threshold for simplified regimes for small emitters and ensuring full CBAM integration, protecting competitiveness in both domestic and international markets, with export compensation instruments. Finally, the launch of a comprehensive European research plan for the ceramic sector—currently non-existent—is urged, to drive innovation, support process decarbonisation, reduce reliance on critical raw materials, and facilitate the energy transition without compromising the sector’s economic and social stability.
The goal is clear: to ensure that the green transition moves forward with timelines and instruments compatible with industrial realities, preserving a strategic value chain for Europe.
The event held in Brussels, entitled “The Future of European Ceramics”, featured broad institutional representation from the two main ceramic-producing regions, MEPs, European Commission representatives, and industry stakeholders.
Ismael García Peris, President of ASCER, underlined: “It is essential to move towards a green transition that is compatible with industrial and economic competitiveness, preventing relocation and safeguarding the jobs of thousands of European families who depend on our sectors.” ASCER Secretary-General Alberto Echavarría higlighted: “An urgent review of the ETS, retention of free allowances, and the launch of a dedicated innovation support programme are needed to ensure decarbonisation without compromising competitiveness or employment.”
Graziano Verdi, Vice President of Confindustria Cerámica and President of CET, the European sector federation, stated: “We are facing an emergency in a complex international scenario that requires pragmatism. CO₂ costs are higher in Europe than anywhere else, and the continent also suffers from the highest energy prices globally. Without viable technological alternatives, the ETS has become a tax whose value is driven by financial speculation, draining company resources and blocking necessary research and investment. This system places our companies at risk: action must be taken immediately. The two European regions where the main ceramic clusters are located have made this urgency and concern very clear, both in their joint declaration and in the meetings held in Brussels.”
