Speaking at the European Industry Summit in Antwerp, FEVE President Michel Giannuzzi, who also chairs Verallia, said Europe cannot maintain economic strength without a competitive industrial sector. The container glass industry, which operates more than 140 plants in 21 EU member states, supplies recyclable packaging for food, beverage, cosmetics and pharmaceutical markets and contributes significantly to EU exports.
FEVE warned that production has fallen sharply from its 2022 peak and that furnace closures across Europe risk permanent losses of capacity, skills and jobs. The federation highlighted persistently high energy costs and the potential impact of updated EU Emissions Trading System benchmarks, which could significantly increase CO₂-related costs for manufacturers.
While acknowledging policy efforts by the European Commission, FEVE said a gap remains between political ambition and industrial reality. The association called for emergency measures to stabilise energy and carbon costs, support fair global trade, strengthen circular-economy policies that maintain competitiveness, and boost demand for safe, recyclable products made in Europe.
According to Giannuzzi, the sector is investing heavily in decarbonisation technologies but cannot deliver the transition alone. He urged EU leaders to act swiftly to ensure that Europe’s container glass industry remains both a global leader in circular packaging and a pillar of European industrial strength.
