The European Container Glass Federation (FEVE) has called on European leaders to take urgent action to safeguard the continent’s industrial base, warning that mounting energy and carbon costs are placing severe pressure on the container glass sector.

Speaking at the European Industry Summit in Antwerp, FEVE President Michel Giannuzzi, who is also Chairman of Verallia, stressed that Europe cannot remain resilient or competitive without a strong manufacturing backbone.

“The container glass sector is fully committed to delivering Europe’s climate and circular economy ambitions, and we are investing heavily in decarbonisation technologies. But industry cannot deliver the transition alone,” Giannuzzi said. “EU leaders must act now, not next year, not next week, but today.”

The federation highlighted persistent structural challenges facing the industry, including high energy prices, rising CO₂ costs and an increasingly complex global trading environment. Production has declined sharply from its 2022 peak, while plant and furnace closures across Europe are leading to permanent losses of industrial capacity, technical expertise and skilled jobs.

FEVE also warned that the 2026 update of EU Emissions Trading System benchmarks could double CO₂-related costs for some companies between 2025 and 2026, creating sudden cost shocks that risk undermining decarbonisation investments.

The industry is calling for stabilising measures, lower energy costs, faster grid deployment and regulatory simplification to ensure Europe’s container glass sector remains a global leader in circular packaging and a pillar of industrial strength.