Industrial Accelerator Act

EGGA – Galvanizing Europe supports the objectives of the Industrial Accelerator Act (IAA) to reinforce the EU’s industrial capacity, competitiveness and strategic autonomy, while accelerating industrial decarbonisation, in particular by stimulating industrial manufacturing and increasing demand for clean products of “Union-origin”.

Our interest in the IAA lies in its approach to steel used in construction and infrastructure, and to net-zero technologies, in particular solar technologies.  EGGA welcomes the developments in the INTA, ITRE and IMCO Draft Report and considers that key elements should be maintained or further strengthened.

Ensure a robust  “Union-origin” alongside “low carbon” criterion for steel

The galvanizing industry depends on a strong and competitive EU steel product manufacturing and fabrication sector.

To protect industrial competitiveness and support the decarbonisation of the European steel industry, including the steel fabrication sector, we strongly support maintaining the approach proposed in the Draft Report adding the “Union-origin”, based on steel originally melted and poured in the EU, alongside “low-carbon” requirement for steel. However, we do not support the additional requirement for 75% Union-produced primary iron input, including iron ore reduction in the Union.

We also accept the proposed progressive approach, which in the context of procurement, provides for reaching, by 2036, a 50% requirement for low-carbon and Union-origin steel and steel products in the total volume of steel used.

Strengthen Union-origin for Solar PV under the NZIA

The IAA proposal also introduces some amendments to the Net-Zero Industry Act (NZIA), a key policy framework for our industry — notably covering sectors such as solar, where galvanized steel components form essential structural and support elements.

EGGA supports strengthening the Union-origin requirements for solar PV technologies. In particular, NZIA solar procurement, auctions and support schemes should explicitly cover PV trackers and their specific mounting structures. We also welcome the Draft Report proposal of 50% Union added-value minimum threshold for determining the origin of solar PV technologies covered by the NZIA. This is essential to support existing EU manufacturing capacity for these key components and encourage the use of low carbon steel of Union origin.

In conclusion, EU policymakers must ensure that the IAA fully reflects the key role of the steel value chain and its downstream industries in strengthening Europe’s industrial base and strategic autonomy while delivering on its climate objectives.