Hereu reaffirms the Government's support for the ceramics industry with new CO2 and defense aid in Brussels

Ceramic Industry

During his visit to ASCER, the Minister of Industry, Jordi Hereu, emphasized the government's commitment to the ceramic sector. Key measures include incorporating the sector into the CO2 compensation mechanism and advocating for specific treatment for the industry within the European emissions trading system.

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The Government strengthens its alliance with the ceramics sector

The Minister of Industry and Tourism, Jordi Hereu, has reaffirmed in Castellón The Government's commitment to the Spanish ceramic industry during its visit to the headquarters of ASCERThe support takes the form of a multi-million euro aid package and an active defense of the sector's interests in the face of the Comisión Europea en Bruselas.

During your speech, Hereu has highlighted the strategic importance of a sector that is key to the economy and the trade balance of Españareiterating that the Executive will continue working to reconcile decarbonization objectives with the competitiveness, employment and export capacity.

Key aspects of national financial support

One of the most significant measures announced by the minister is the inclusion of ceramic tiles and paving stones in the CO2 indirect cost compensation mechanism . This fund, endowed with €600 million in 2026 and expanded to 20 new sectors, will allow ceramic companies, for the first time, to access this line of aid to alleviate the pressure of energy and environmental costs.

This new instrument is part of an ongoing effort. Since 2019, the Government has granted 52,48 million euros in direct aid to the ceramic sector of the Comunitat ValencianaAdditionally, the sector has also benefited from the €71,4 million call for gas-intensive industries and the overall €2.000 billion package mobilized for the energy-intensive industry.

The strategy in Brussels: protecting European competitiveness

In the field of Unión EuropeaThe minister explained the Spanish government's efforts to secure specific treatment for the ceramics industry within the European Emissions Trading System (ETS). España formally requested to Bruselas the creation of a benchmarking specifically for ceramics, with the aim of recognizing the productive particularities of the sector and preserving its international competitiveness.

As a result of this defense, the Comisión Europea has approved a solution that injects 80 million additional euros in free allocations for the sectors included in the so-called fallback benchmarks, which includes ceramics. As he explained HereuThis measure is crucial, as it will mitigate the impact on businesses by reducing the planned cut in free allocations from approximately 34% to 20%.

Summary table of aid and measures for the ceramic sector.

Concept of Aid / Measure	Key Cipher
CO2 compensation mechanism (general allocation)	600 millones de euros
Direct aid to the sector in the Valencian Community (since 2019)	52,48 millones de euros
Compensation for gas-intensive industries	71,4 millones de euros
Additional free EU allowances	80 millones de euros
Reduction of the cut in free allowances	From 34% to 20%

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is the main new support measure for Spanish ceramics?

The main novelty is the incorporation of ceramic tiles and paving stones into the mechanism for compensating indirect CO2 costs, a fund endowed with 600 million euros that will allow companies in the sector to access this line of aid for the first time.

What has the Spanish Government achieved for the sector in the European Union?

He has managed to make the Comisión Europea Approve an additional €80 million in free emission allowances for sectors such as ceramics. This reduces the planned cut in these allowances from 34% to approximately 20%, mitigating the economic impact.

What is a specific "benchmark" and why is it important for ceramics?

It is a technical reference within the European emissions trading system (ETS). España It requested a specific one for ceramics so that European regulations would recognize the particularities of its production process, which helps to protect its competitiveness against competitors from outside the EU and other industrial sectors.