Industriall Europe warns: Europe calls silicon metal “strategic” — but dumping is closing plants and putting hundreds of jobs at risk
Thursday 02 April 2026
At a time when critical raw materials and “strategic autonomy” dominate the European agenda, it is becoming increasingly incomprehensible that no effective political action has been taken to protect Europe’s own silicon metal production from unfair trade. IndustriAll Europe already raised the alarm in November 2025 in a letter to the European Commission (
here), warning of the rapid erosion of Europe’s silicon metal capacity. In light of the latest developments, we are once again calling on the Commission to act without delay.
After six months of furlough or short-time work, around 300 workers at Ferroglobe’s plants returned to work on 1 April. Yet the furnaces used to produce silicon metal — a material officially recognised by the EU as both a Critical and Strategic Raw Material — will remain shut.
Allowing EU’s silicon metal production to be priced out of the market is a strategic error. Silicon metal is essential for aluminium, chemicals, electronics, photovoltaics and a wide range of technologies underpinning the green and digital transitions. Without a domestic production base, Europe’s ambition for strategic autonomy becomes an empty promise.
If no action is taken, Europe risks losing not only production capacity, but also the industrial ecosystems, workers and expertise built around it. And by failing to act against unfair trade, Europe is increasing its reliance on imports, often produced under lower environmental and social standards. This directly contradicts the EU’s own objectives on strategic autonomy and industrial resilience.
Workers are paying the price
Behind all this are workers — highly skilled, experienced, and essential to Europe’s industrial future.
The continued shutdown of furnaces in France is already having a profound social impact. Hundreds of jobs are directly at risk, with many more affected along the value chain. They represent decades of know-how and industrial capability.
Time for action
IndustriAll Europe calls on the European Commission to take immediate and decisive action to protect the silicon metal sector from unfair trade practices. Robust safeguard measures are needed to stabilise the market, prevent further plant closures and secure the future of this strategic industry.
Europe cannot claim to defend its strategic autonomy while allowing its remaining production capacities to disappear. This is why industriAll Europe calls for:
- Close the policy gap on silicon metal: EU trade policy must be aligned with its own “strategic raw material” objectives. A material recognised as strategic cannot be left unprotected.
- Act swiftly against unfair and distortive imports: Immediate and effective measures are needed to address dumping practices that threaten European production and jobs. At the same time, trade action must be targeted. Imports from partners integrated into Europe’s industrial ecosystem — such as Norway — support European value chains and should not be subject to safeguard measures.
- Protect jobs and skills through a coherent industrial strategy: Europe must safeguard its industrial workforce by investing in long-term solutions, built on strong social dialogue and a commitment to quality employment.
At a time when critical raw materials and “strategic autonomy” dominate the European agenda, it is becoming increasingly incomprehensible that no effective political action has been taken to protect Europe’s own silicon metal production from unfair trade. IndustriAll Europe already raised the alarm in November 2025 in a letter to the European Commission (
here), warning of the rapid erosion of Europe’s silicon metal capacity. In light of the latest developments, we are once again calling on the Commission to act without delay.
After six months of furlough or short-time work, around 300 workers at Ferroglobe’s plants returned to work on 1 April. Yet the furnaces used to produce silicon metal — a material officially recognised by the EU as both a Critical and Strategic Raw Material — will remain shut.
Allowing EU’s silicon metal production to be priced out of the market is a strategic error. Silicon metal is essential for aluminium, chemicals, electronics, photovoltaics and a wide range of technologies underpinning the green and digital transitions. Without a domestic production base, Europe’s ambition for strategic autonomy becomes an empty promise.
If no action is taken, Europe risks losing not only production capacity, but also the industrial ecosystems, workers and expertise built around it. And by failing to act against unfair trade, Europe is increasing its reliance on imports, often produced under lower environmental and social standards. This directly contradicts the EU’s own objectives on strategic autonomy and industrial resilience.
Workers are paying the price
Behind all this are workers — highly skilled, experienced, and essential to Europe’s industrial future.
The continued shutdown of furnaces in France is already having a profound social impact. Hundreds of jobs are directly at risk, with many more affected along the value chain. They represent decades of know-how and industrial capability.
Time for action
IndustriAll Europe calls on the European Commission to take immediate and decisive action to protect the silicon metal sector from unfair trade practices. Robust safeguard measures are needed to stabilise the market, prevent further plant closures and secure the future of this strategic industry.
Europe cannot claim to defend its strategic autonomy while allowing its remaining production capacities to disappear. This is why industriAll Europe calls for:
- Close the policy gap on silicon metal: EU trade policy must be aligned with its own “strategic raw material” objectives. A material recognised as strategic cannot be left unprotected.
- Act swiftly against unfair and distortive imports: Immediate and effective measures are needed to address dumping practices that threaten European production and jobs. At the same time, trade action must be targeted. Imports from partners integrated into Europe’s industrial ecosystem — such as Norway — support European value chains and should not be subject to safeguard measures.
- Protect jobs and skills through a coherent industrial strategy: Europe must safeguard its industrial workforce by investing in long-term solutions, built on strong social dialogue and a commitment to quality employment.
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