President Federacciai: “In the Union we have dealt with regulations, decarbonisation and climate change, but the decline of European manufacturing is underway, just look at what is happening in the automotive sector”
Antonio JoseThe head of Federacciai sounded the alarm about the measure announced by the German government and announced by Scholz, which requires the elimination of tax burdens on industry bills by allocating 12 billion euros annually for five years, and for energy-intensive industries, raising the price of energy to 70 euros per megawatt hour. The French pay 42 euros until the end of 2025, then they raise it to 70 euros like Germany. A Franco-German energy tariff is now set at €70, while Italians pay €120. “This confirms on the one hand that Europe has not been able to create a common energy policy and on the other hand that this aid from France and Germany creates a competitive asymmetry that destroys the single market and creates unfair competition.“, says Josi. Federacciai calls for the immediate launch of measures taken months ago on the release of electricity (a package of renewable energy at a set price in exchange for the commitment of energy consumers to invest in renewable energy sources) and the release of gas (the release of one billion cubic meters of gas from the Adriatic Sea to Energy-intensive companies at an industrial price) ended up with a maximum energy bill blocked by the impasse over hydropower concessions and the end of “greater protectionism.” Even on CO2, Germany has asked the European Union to authorize $3 billion annually in compensation. for ETS, while the Italian government gives companies only $150 million.”There is money here – Gozzi explains – because we have revenues of 3 billion, but the old Tremonti law says half must go to cover the public debt.“, while under European legislation they must return to business. But even if we maintain it, we have 1.5 billion, which is ten times the 150 million that they give us.” In short, according to Federacciai, “there is a series of rules that are compatible with European legislation but require Political will to deal with industry and industrialization on the part of our government.”
Antonio JoseThe head of Federacciai sounded the alarm about the measure announced by the German government and announced by Scholz, which requires the elimination of tax burdens on industry bills by allocating 12 billion euros annually for five years, and for energy-intensive industries, raising the price of energy to 70 euros per megawatt hour. The French pay 42 euros until the end of 2025, then they raise it to 70 euros like Germany. A Franco-German energy tariff is now set at €70, while Italians pay €120. “This confirms on the one hand that Europe has not been able to create a common energy policy and on the other hand that this aid from France and Germany creates a competitive asymmetry that destroys the single market and creates unfair competition.“, says Josi. Federacciai calls for the immediate launch of measures taken months ago on the release of electricity (a package of renewable energy at a set price in exchange for the commitment of energy consumers to invest in renewable energy sources) and the release of gas (the release of one billion cubic meters of gas from the Adriatic Sea to Energy-intensive companies at an industrial price) ended up with a maximum energy bill blocked by the impasse over hydropower concessions and the end of “greater protectionism.” Even on CO2, Germany has asked the European Union to authorize $3 billion annually in compensation. for ETS, while the Italian government gives companies only $150 million.”There is money here – Gozzi explains – because we have revenues of 3 billion, but the old Tremonti law says half must go to cover the public debt.“, while under European legislation they must return to the companies. But even if we maintain it, we have 1.5 billion, which is ten times the 150 million that they give us.” In short, according to Federaciai, “there is a series of rules that are compatible with European legislation but require a will “Policy to deal with industry and industrialization by our government.”
Then there is Europe. “Unlike all the economic regions in the world where industry is at the center of attention, in the Union we have dealt with regulation, decarbonisation and climate change, but the decline of European manufacturing is underway, just look at what is happening in the automotive sector“From 2026, with the end of ETS classes, we will have to shut down all blast furnaces. Converting 1 million tons of coal-fired steel into electricity costs $1 billion,” explains Jose. “In Europe, 90 million tons of coal-fired steel are used.” To reconvert half of this amount, we need 50 billion, and there is no funding for this purpose. “Europe says that steel is not an essential commodity, and this is pure madness.” Without taking into account that every thousand tons of electricity requires two thousand fewer workers than coal, but This doesn’t seem to interest anyone either. “With a CO2 price of €100, we need to spend €200 million per ton of steel.
Taranto has to spend 800 million, which means it will close if the rules do not change.” In Italy, we are the first on the continent in carbon-neutral steel: 20 million out of 24 come from electric furnaces, but we need to control energy and scrap prices. “There will not be scrap for everyone, which is why we will build pre-reduced iron plants in Algeria, Egypt and Brazil, because we are afraid of the fact that a country that already suffers from a shortage of scrap like Italy will become even more dangerous if Europe imposes the conversion of blast furnaces into electric furnaces for scrap. And the DR factory in Italy? “Here there is the issue of gas price,” says Josie. To make two and a half million lessons, which is the classic size for counterfeiters, it takes 900 million cubic meters of gas. The total gas emitted is 1 billion, which would be needed for one plant for direct storage. It makes more sense for these plants to be installed in countries with high gas availability.”
And if Dri d’Italia, Invitalia, has this purpose, does it? “It’s not as if Eni can provide gas to a public company, it’s government assistance“. Business Minister Adolfo Urso returned yesterday to announce a national plan for the steel industry. Is this the right time? “For us this is unknown. I’ve heard of him but don’t know where he is at home. I only see movements that worry me in the two major crisis points, which are Taranto and Piombino. If foreign groups make investments in Italy, we roll out the red carpet. But if they come to absorb state money and compete unfairly with Italian companies, we are at war. We Italian steelworkers have invested two billion dollars without asking the state for a single euro.”
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