Members of industriAll Europe’s Basic Metals Network met in Düsseldorf on 14 and 15 April for two days of intensive exchanges at a decisive moment for Europe’s steel and aluminium sectors. Hosted by IG Metall and IGBCE, the meeting brought together trade union representatives from across Europe to discuss national situations, engage directly with policymakers and industry stakeholders, and assess how current EU industrial, energy and climate policies are reshaping the future of basic metals.
The meeting took place in a context of persistent global overcapacity, high energy prices and geopolitical instability, all of which continue to put enormous pressure on basic metals workers. At the same time, participants noted that years of coordinated trade union campaigning are beginning to translate into concrete political responses at EU level.
National realities and shared challenges
Discussions opened with an overview of basic metals in Germany, including presentations from the Ministry for Economic Affairs of North Rhine Westphalia and the German trade unions. Particular attention was given to the aluminium sector and the importance of regional industrial alliances and social dialogue in managing the transition.
This was followed by sectoral updates and a round table of national reports, with all delegations highlighting similar challenges despite national differences. Affiliates reported uncertainty over future investments, exposure to unfair global competition, and the severe impact of excessively high electricity prices on energy intensive production. Across Europe, workers are bearing the costs of delayed political action while being asked to deliver on decarbonisation.
Industrial policy, ETS and low carbon metals
A central focus of the meeting was the evolving EU industrial and climate policy framework. Members exchanged views with Joan Canton (DG GROW, European Commission) on current initiatives, including the Industrial Accelerator Act, and debated the state of play of the EU Emissions Trading System (ETS) review.
Dedicated sessions explored what low carbon steel and aluminium will mean in practice for workers — in terms of skills, employment, working conditions and long term industrial capacity. Participants stressed that decarbonisation must go hand in hand with investment, affordable energy and strong social conditionalities on all public support.
From policy to the shop floor
The second day concluded with a site visit to Speira GmbH in Düsseldorf, offering participants a concrete view of secondary aluminium production, recycling and circularity in practice. The visit underlined both the potential of circular models and the urgent need for stable policy frameworks to make them viable at scale.
These discussions were framed by three major EU level developments this week: a provisional EU agreement on a new steel trade defence instrument to replace safeguard measures, temporary state aid flexibility to address the energy crisis, and an ongoing EU consultation on a future low carbon steel definition under the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation.
Trade union unity matters
“Workers have paid the price of global overcapacity, high energy costs and years of under investment. Now that public support is being mobilised, workers must get a fair share,” said Judith Kirton Darling, industriAll Europe's general secretary.
“It is time for companies to prioritise investment in decarbonisation and quality jobs in Europe. A successful industrial transition must secure Europe’s production base and its workers.”
The Basic Metals Network will continue to coordinate trade union action to ensure that Europe’s basic industries remain strategic, sustainable and socially just.