Posted on 24 Feb 2026
The Spanish Steel Manufacturers Association (UNESID) has warned the ministries of industry and economy about new EU initiatives to stimulate demand for European products. The organization expressed concern that steel could be excluded from the list of goods that are given priority in public procurement and strategic programs.
UNESID emphasizes that such a decision could send a negative signal to investors at a time when the industry is implementing large-scale decarbonization projects. The European metallurgical industry needs clear and predictable support for demand, primarily in the areas of infrastructure, defense, energy, automotive, and green technologies.
The association warns that without real priority for steel produced in the EU, investment could slow down and employment in the sector could decline. At the same time, the European Union risks increasing its dependence on imports from third countries with lower environmental standards and large-scale state support.
UNESID insists that the criteria of European origin and low carbon footprint must be applied together in public procurement and programs that affect strategic industries. This is the only way to ensure a “green” transformation without deindustrialization and job losses. The association has expressed its willingness to cooperate with European institutions to finalize the text of the initiative.
It should be recalled that EUROFER supported a joint appeal from industry for urgent measures to reduce the cost of electricity, which determines the competitiveness of European industry and economic stability. The association emphasized that consistently high and volatile electricity prices, further increased by taxes and carbon costs, have become one of the main obstacles to investment, electrification, and decarbonization of the metallurgical industry.
Source:GMK Center
