Heavy industry is an important part of the European economy. Sectors such as iron and steel, cement, chemicals and mining not only provide essential materials, but also boost European industrial competitiveness.

However, these sectors, who are major global GDP contributors, are amongst the highest emitters of CO2 and face increasing pressure to decarbonise and align with the EU’s climate targets. To address this challenge, the European Commission has recently launched the Clean Industrial Deal, which is designed to accelerate the decarbonisation of European industry and to foster competitiveness. As part of this initiative, the Industrial Decarbonisation Accelerator Act also aims to speed up industrial access to energy and decarbonisation.

According to a recent Fraunhofer IPA report on how hard-to-abate industries can achieve net zero, achieving these goals will require investment in new technologies, such as electrification of heat, carbon capture or hydrogen production. These solutions have the potential to reduce emissions while maintaining high productivity across Europe’s heavy industry and manufacturing.

Listen to this Euractiv Hybrid Conference to explore strategies to reduce carbon emissions in European heavy industry, while ensuring competitiveness of the sector. Questions to be addressed include:

- What role can existing and emerging technologies play in the decarbonisation of Europe’s heavy industry and manufacturing? How can the EU effectively foster innovation?
- How can the EU strike a balance between its climate ambitions, industrial competitiveness and productivity?
- What strategies can help ensure the cost competitiveness of low-carbon solutions for heavy industry?