Welcome

Welcome to the May Metals Newsletter!

It’s a busy and exciting time for the metals sector, with many important initiatives and activities currently underway. At European Metals, one of our key priorities is supporting and developing the next generation of professionals entering the industry.  We do this through our Metals Academy, which brings together every year experienced metals industry figures, high level speakers, relevant academics and non-governmental organisations with early-career professionals from across the metals sector. This is a great way to pass on knowledge, challenge some established ideas and build new lasting professional relationships — much like metals themselves, built to last a lifetime! You can read more about this year’s Academy below.

It has also been a particularly active month on the policy front, especially regarding the REACH legislation, which remains highly important for the metals industry as all metals are notified under the Regulation. We have been disappointed to see that the 20-year-old legislation will not be fully reopened, as this decision carries significant implications and costs for our industry. In this month’s editorial, our Chemicals Management Director Violaine Verougstraete together with France Capon, the Secretary General of the European Precious Metals Federation, explain what is at stake and why this dossier matters so much for the sector.

Finally, you will also have the chance to get to know  better Lucia Verardi, our new Policy Manager in the Energy team, and learn why she enjoys working on the ETS and CBAM files,  two areas where there is still much work to be done to ensure they function effectively for the European metals industry.

Enjoy your reading, don’t miss the member updates, and remember to register for our Annual Conference on 24 June — attendance is free! We look forward to seeing you there.

Editorial

As the European Union seeks to reinforce its resilience in an increasingly uncertain geopolitical context, policy coherence is no longer a luxury - it is a necessity. The EU’s ambitions on critical raw materials, circularity, and industrial competitiveness are clear. However, these priorities risk being undermined if core frameworks such as REACH do not evolve in step. Chemicals policy cannot be developed in isolation; while ensuring the protection of health and the environment, it must also actively support Europe’s broader strategic objectives. 

Against this backdrop, the European Commission’s decision to postpone the revision of the REACH Regulation sends a mixed signal. While the commitment to simplification and greater regulatory predictability is welcome, delaying a comprehensive revision means postponing essential improvements to a system implemented for 20 years.

REACH remains a global benchmark, but it is not without shortcomings. Years of implementation, combined with the REFIT evaluation, extensive stakeholder discussions between 2022 and 2024, and detailed impact assessments, have generated a clear diagnosis and practical solutions. Failing to translate this accumulated knowledge into a structured and inclusive revision risks losing a unique opportunity for meaningful reforms. Instead, the reliance on comitology to amend REACH annexes raises serious concerns. This approach may offer procedural flexibility and speed, but it lacks the transparency, predictability, and all actors’ involvement that a full revision would ensure. Fundamental questions remain unanswered: what exactly will be covered, when will the process begin, and how will stakeholders be consulted? Without clear answers, uncertainty and predictability will remain issues.

For the metals sector, this uncertainty is particularly problematic. Metals are among the most thoroughly assessed and well-understood substances under REACH, backed by decades of scientific data and risk evaluation. Regulatory changes that do not fully reflect this reality risk being not only disproportionate, but counterproductive. The implications go beyond chemicals management. Poorly calibrated measures could directly undermine Europe’s circular economy. Metals are inherently recyclable and form the backbone of many recycling value chains. Achieving circularity requires knowledge on the properties of chemicals and products but also identifying the most appropriate and balanced management to make the best use of their assets.

Competitiveness is equally at stake. European industry is already operating under significant regulatory pressure. Adding layers of uncertainty, disproportionate requirements without solving the “silo working” will further impact investment conditions and weaken Europe’s position in global markets. A predictable, science-based, and proportionate REACH framework is not optional—it is a prerequisite for maintaining industrial capacity and innovation in Europe.

The postponement of the REACH revision should not become a missed opportunity. The focus should remain on delivering a clear framework consistent with Europe’s wider policy goals and ready to address the sustainability crises it is confronted with. A vague narrative will not replace a direction of travel, only create further polarisation and a loss of engagement and expertise.  

The metals industry stands ready to engage constructively - but clarity, coherence, and ambition must follow.

Metals Academy

This 5th edition of the Metals Academy was a great success!

The 30 participants enjoyed listening to and engaging with eminent speakers who shared their knowledge and expertise through insightful presentations spanning different perspectives. In smaller groups, the three “Key Elements” modules on chemicals management, marketing, and communication generated great interest, while our keynote speaker, Robert Weibel, captivated the audience with his inspiring talk, “Business Meets Diplomacy”.

As an “icebreaker” evening activity, participants — in groups — were challenged to put the CRM Act into practice by collecting Critical Raw Materials (CRMs) and justifying the nature of their strategic projects. Although this was a game, and therefore fictitious, it sparked a great deal of creativity and enthusiasm in setting up production and recycling plants in the EU.

The Metals Academy also enabled participants from various geographical and professional backgrounds to step outside their daily agendas and usual work environments, making the most of stimulating networking opportunities while enjoying Belgian hospitality in beautiful green surroundings.

But our most valuable feedback comes from our participants, to whom we give the final word…

Meet the Team - Five Questions with Lucia

Tell us a little about your background and what first inspired you to work in EU climate and energy policy.

‘I have always dreamt about working on energy and climate’: This is the kind of answer you usually hear. In my case, after a very long master’s dissertation on EU migration law, I have to admit I ended up in climate and energy policy…by accident! However, it did not take long for energy to win me over.

For the past 5 years, I have always worked in policy and for several trade associations, although on different topics. I have started by focusing on the decarbonisation of buildings, mainly in the residential sector. I then moved into the gas sector, where I covered a range of topics including heat decarbonisation, industrial carbon management, sustainable finance and taxonomy. More recently, I worked on demand-side flexibility, focusing on flexibility potential in buildings and industry, just before joining European Metals. Alongside my professional journey, I have continued to learn and deepen my expertise. I completed several specialised trainings at the Florence School of Regulation on energy utilities and electricity markets, as well as a business school’s intensive programme on sustainable finance and corporate responsibility.

Europe is facing an important moment for its climate ambitions. What do you think is the biggest challenge for non-ferrous metals industries adapting to policies like the EU ETS and CBAM?

I think the main issue is actually the reverse: how can EU legislation adapt to the challenges the industry is facing? I am personally not a fan of the strong polarisation between decarbonisation and competitiveness, as if the two were opposites. In reality, they both aim for the same objective: sustainable growth that supports jobs and prosperity in Europe. The biggest challenge is that finding the right balance is not easy, and it becomes even more complex in a geopolitical context that constantly calls existing frameworks into question.

The non-ferrous metals sector plays a crucial role in Europe’s green and digital transition. How can policymakers and industry work together more effectively to support the sector’s competitiveness, innovation, and decarbonisation goals?

Keeping dialogue and exchange open is essential. The non-ferrous metals sector is at the forefront of the transition: it is both part of it and a precondition for it. Disagreement is a natural and necessary part of the process to ensure balanced legislation. This applies to discussions between companies, within and across trade associations, and of course in engagement with policymakers and other stakeholders. We need to maintain open discussions and avoid extremes, even if that takes more time. In recent years, geopolitical developments have put significant pressure on both industry and policymakers to deliver quickly. This has sometimes led to short-term fixes that were later revised, which does not create a stable environment for long-term decarbonisation investments.

Many young professionals are interested in climate and EU policy today. What advice would you give to someone hoping to enter this field?

I would say ‘follow your passion’, although, as my own experience shows, you may not yet know all the things you are passionate about. Working on climate policy is not easy: it is highly technical, yet it also affects all our lives every single day. So how do you bring the two together? I am still trying to answer that question myself.

Brussels is fast-paced, and there is often a fear of missing out. While it is important to work hard, it is equally important to take the time to explore what you actually enjoy. Try different sectors and roles, nothing is set in stone. Stay curious, creative, and true to who you are.

The metals industry has long been perceived as male-dominated. How can diversity, equity, and inclusion help drive innovation and shape a stronger future for the non-ferrous metals sector and the green transition?

The green transition is an important opportunity not only to reflect on, but also to address, issues related to gender representation, particularly under-representation of women. New technologies are creating new types of jobs and skill needs. We need to get this right and ensure that women are attracted to the sector – they are a talent pool we cannot afford to overlook. At company level, there is real potential, and discussions with companies about best practices are very inspiring. Even within our ‘Brussels bubble’, despite being a small association, we can always take action.

I am grateful that the European Metals’ team has strong female representation, including in technical subjects, and that my leadership and colleagues support our efforts in this regard.

International Tin Association – Tin boosts clean water from sunlight. A new study suggests that tin dioxide, a widely used tin compound, could improve the efficiency and durability of solar-powered water purification systems, offering a promising low-energy approach to producing clean drinking water in water-scarce regions.

• 17 April – Reuters - US tariffs drive steep drop in EU exports for second month
• 30 April –  Table Media - Raw materials: How the EU and the US plan to challenge China’s monopoly
• 07 May –  S&P Global - Metals industry backs new US tariff actions, but clash on targets

REGISTRATION CLOSED - 5th Symposium on Materials and Products in Contact with Drinking Water | 17 June 2026 | Sofitel Hotel, Brussels

Annual Conference | European Metals: Are we Forging in Europe? | 24 June 2026 (14:00-17:30) |  Renaissance Hotel (Brussels)  

Partner Events

2026 Battery Innovation Roadmap | 16 June 2026 | Renaissance Hotel, Brussels

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