On 29 January, the European Commission unveiled its Competitiveness Compass, a strategic roadmap marking the first major step of its new mandate. Designed to bolster EU competitiveness, the Compass aims to drive industrial decarbonisation, bridge the innovation gap, reduce excessive dependencies, and enhance economic security. This initiative confirms the Commission’s commitment to ensuring Europe remains a global leader in sustainable and high-value industries.
As part of its key flagship actions, the Commission has outlined several upcoming initiatives, including:
- Clean Industrial Deal and an Action Plan on Affordable Energy – set for release on 26 February
- New State Aid Framework – Q2 2025
- Industrial Decarbonisation Accelerator Act – Q4 2025
- Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism Review – 2025
- Circular Economy Act – Q4 2026
- Advanced Materials Act – 2026
The Compass also underlines that Europe continues to lead in energy-efficient technologies, a crucial advantage that underpins the EU’s industrial and economic strength. However, maintaining this edge requires robust support for key manufacturing sectors. As Bertrand Cazes, Secretary General of Glass for Europe, emphasizes, “This competitive edge can only be maintained if the manufacture of materials at the core of these technologies—such as flat glass—remains in the EU and thrives.”
In anticipation of the upcoming Clean Industrial Deal, Glass for Europe has already published its recommendations, reinforcing the need for a strong and supportive industrial framework. We look forward to engaging with policymakers and stakeholders to shape policies that will drive Europe’s sustainable industrial transformation.
