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. The current IAA proposal provides an opportunity to stimulate demand for low-carbon and “Union origin” products and net-zero technologies, but its impact in our sector may be limited without more targeted measures.

Strengthening Europe’s steel value chain and downstream industries

The galvanizing industry depends on a strong and competitive EU steel product manufacturing and fabrication sector, which is increasingly challenged by increased imports of manufactured steel products. A level playing field and adequate protection for EU-based production is therefore essential for the resilience of the entire value chain.

When the IAA was announced last year, at the time referred to as the Industrial Decarbonisation Accelerator Act (IDAA), the European Commission indicated that the initiative would take into account related downstream industries through a value chain perspective. However, based on the Regulation proposal, EGGA is concerned that the EU steel product manufacturing and fabrication sector, on which the galvanizing industry depends, may not be adequately protected.

A more ambitious revision of the Net-Zero Industry Act

The IAA proposal also introduces significant revisions 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 calls for a more ambitious and supportive approach that protects EU-produced net-zero components, especially in public procurement and publicly supported schemes.

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.