Glass for Europe has welcomed the publication of the European Commission’s proposed Industrial Accelerator Act, describing it as an important initial step toward strengthening European manufacturing while emphasizing that further measures will be required to secure the future of flat glass production in the region.

In response to the proposal, Bertrand Cazes, Secretary General of Glass for Europe, noted that the initiative sends a positive signal for European-made industrial products and recognizes the strategic importance of manufacturing sectors that are essential to the continent’s economic resilience.

The proposal identifies the manufacturing, shaping, and processing of flat glass as a strategic activity whose production capacity should be maintained and expanded within Europe. Flat glass plays a critical role across multiple value chains, particularly in the construction, automotive, and solar energy sectors, all of which rely on high-performance glazing solutions for energy efficiency, safety, and sustainability.

Glass for Europe welcomed provisions within the Act aimed at accelerating permitting procedures and creating designated “Acceleration Areas” where strategic industrial projects could benefit from a more supportive regulatory environment. Such measures could facilitate investment in new production capacity and modernisation of existing facilities.

However, the association highlighted several areas where additional clarification and improvements are needed. In particular, the scope of EU-origin requirements in public procurement and support schemes currently applies only to a limited number of materials, despite the strategic relevance of flat glass for several downstream industries.

Glass for Europe also noted that the Act includes provisions related to the automotive sector that apply a 70 percent ex-works price threshold to vehicle components. According to the association, the specific role of automotive glazing could be more clearly recognized in order to strengthen the competitiveness of Europe’s broader automotive ecosystem.