Glass for Europe Meets Commissioner Dan Jørgensen to Discuss Energy, Competitiveness, and Housing

The delegation was led by Mr. Davide Cappellino (AGC Glass Europe), Chairman of Glass for Europe, and included Board Directors Ms. Selma Öner, Ph.D. (Şişecam), Mr. Jean Ries (Guardian Glass Europe), and Secretary General Bertrand Cazes.

The discussion covered both energy and housing – two crucial areas in the Commissioner’s portfolio and where the flat glass industry plays a vital role.

Mr. Cappellino outlined the paradox facing the glass and glazing sector: while indispensable to decarbonising Europe’s building stock and reducing CO₂ emissions from heating and cooling, the industry itself faces unsustainable pressures due to high energy costs and strict regulatory conditions. He underlined that, given current technological limitations and the absence of viable alternatives to produce glass with minimal carbon, flat glass production will continue to rely on natural gas in the short to medium term.

Competitiveness was at the core of the exchange. Mr. Ries highlighted the growing imbalance between European producers and their international competitors, warning of the real risk of deindustrialisation. He pointed out that the European flat glass industry has already shut down 25% of its production capacity in the past five years. Sustained high energy prices in Europe is a major concern as well as the internalisation of carbon costs that will keep growing in the absence of viable technology to decarbonise flat glass manufacturing.

Ms. Öner stressed the urgent need for strengthened energy infrastructure deployment to support the industry’s transition. She showcased the efforts underway within the flat glass sector to explore alternative energy sources, including biogas, biomethane, and hydrogen. These efforts are all held back by a lack of adequate energy infrastructure and for some energy sources, by their scarcity and high prices.

Although time constraints prevented a full discussion on housing, the delegation underlined the importance of glass as an essential construction material. In the framework of the Affordable Housing Plan and the forthcoming Strategy for Housing Construction, Glass for Europe stands ready to contribute expertise and solutions to advance on energy efficient renovation of buildings, affordability of construction materials and, ultimately,  better living conditions for Europeans. 

Glass for Europe looks forward to continued engagement with Commissioner Jørgensen and his team to secure a sustainable and competitive future for the flat glass and glazing industry in Europe.