2023 EUROPEAN CERAMIC DAYS | LAUNCH OF THE CERAMIC MANIFESTO 2024- 2029

Press release – December 8, 2023

The 2023 European Ceramic Days were held on 27-29 November in Brussels, Belgium, celebrating the European Parliament Ceramics Forum (EPCF) Plenary Meeting and the Public Conference “Enabling EU Manufacturing for a Sustainable Future and Green Transition”. The event concluded with the launch of the new Ceramic Manifesto 2024-2029 “Ensuring Europe’s Sustainability with Ceramic Manufacturing”.

Following the Cerame-Unie Sectoral meetings held on 27 and 28 November, the EPCF took place on Tuesday 28 November. This year the Forum was composed of three panel debates focussing on common challenges between artisanal and industrial ceramics, the sustainable and energy transition in the EU construction sector, and the implementation of the FitFor55 package. The panels served for speakers and moderators to highlight the challenges the whole EU industry faces while on the path to a sustainable and green future. The EPCF Plenary Meetings were followed by the EPCF–Cerame-Unie cocktail during which CU President, Alain Delcourt, and Vice-President, Heimo Scheuch, delivered the new Ceramic Manifesto 2024-29 to the EU Spanish Presidency thanks to the presence and keynote speech of Ambassador D. Marcos Alonso Alonso.

On Wednesday 29 November, the CU President officially launched the Ceramic Manifesto 2024-2029 during the public conference and in the presence of the European Commission, trade unions, research and industry representatives. Ceramics are essential in many value chains to deliver on the European Green Deal. However, for the manufacturing of ceramics in Europe to be viable and sustainable, a range of EU and national policies must be adapted to restore competitiveness and create the conditions that will allow for further investments to secure the future of the sector in Europe.

Through its manifesto, the European ceramic industry proposes six key policy priorities to enable ceramics to play their essential role in contributing to a sustainable future in Europe: a review of the Emissions Trading System (ETS), access to green energy, material-neutral policies for construction, export adjustments under the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) and no scope extension without proper impact assessments, policies ensuring a level playing both on domestic and export markets, and a harmonised approach in health and safety regulations and standards. These six key priorities are completed in the manifesto by eight detailed policy recommendations through which European and national policies can help shape a sustainable ceramic sector. These action areas cover an ambitious and wide EU industrial policy, climate policy for manufacturing, energy resources and infrastructure for manufacturing, promoting sustainable and affordable buildings, environment & health protection and access to sustainable finance, an effective EU trade policy, effective support for research & innovation for all ceramic producers, and skills for manufacturing.

The recording of the EPCF Plenary Meeting can be found here.

2023 epcf plenary meetings | EUROPEAN CERAMIC DAYS 2023

The European Parliament Ceramics Forum (EPCF) will take place on 28 November, at the European Parliament, in the context of the 2023 European Ceramic Days.

The European Ceramic Days is an annual event that brings together high-level representatives of the European Ceramic Industry with officials and policymakers from national and EU authorities. Every year we welcome high-level speakers and representatives from the European Commission, Member States and Members of the European Parliament, to discuss policy topics that directly impact the European ceramic industry.

The EPCF has hosted multiple debates and high-level meetings on various subjects of key importance to the ceramic industry, including climate policy, energy transition, trade policy, decarbonisation and the role of electrification, circular economy, etc. During the 27th Plenary Meeting held on 16 November 2021, the EPCF focused on the decarbonisation of Ceramics under the “Fit for 55” package and on the need for access to sustainable finance under the Green Taxonomy Regulation.

As illustrated in the Ceramic Roadmap to 2050: Continuing our Path to Climate Neutrality published in November of 2021, the European Ceramic Industry plays an important role in the implementation of the Green Deal throughout its numerous and strategic value chains and thanks to its global champions (mostly SMEs) providing over 200.000 direct local jobs in virtually all EU Member States.

On the occasion of the 2023 European Ceramic Days, Cerame-Unie will launch its Ceramic Manifesto for the European elections for the 2024-2029 EU institutional mandate.

Please find below the description of the EPCF plenary meetings:

EPCF Panel 1: "Common Challenges between Artisanal and Industrial Ceramics" | 15:10-16:15

Moderator: MEP Elisabetta Gualmini

• Felix Rohn, Policy Officer, DG EMPL, European Commission

• Xavier Morant Verdejo, President, European Grouping of Territorial Cooperation of Cities of Ceramics (AEuCC), Deputy Mayor of Manises

• Massimo Isola, President, Italian Association Cities of Ceramics (AiCC), Mayor of Faenza

• Véronique Willems, Secretary General, SME United

• Marcelo Sousa, President of FEPF - European Federation of Ceramic Table and Ornamentalware; Director General, Matceramica

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EPCF Panel 2: " Sustainable and energy transition in the EU construction sector" | 16:15 – 17:15

Moderator: MEP Inmaculada Rodríguez-Piñero

• MEP Marcos Ros Sempere, ENVI & ITRE Member, European Parliament

• Philippe Moseley, Policy Officer, Construction Unit, DG GROW European Commission

• Dirk-Jan Simons, Senior sustainability, environmental & spatial consultant; Partner LBP-SIGHT

• Murray Rattana-Ngam, President of TBE - Tiles and Bricks Europe; Managing Director, Ziegelwerk Bellenberg Wiest GmbH

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EPCF Panel 3: " Implementation of the FitFor55 Package" | 17:15 – 18:15

Moderator: MEP Maria Da Graça Carvalho

• MEP Adam Jarubas (tbc), ENVI member, European Parliament

• Miguel Castroviejo Bolibar, Environmental Advisor – Coordinator, Permanent Representation of Spain to the EU

• Beatriz Yordi, Director, DG CLIMA, European Commission

• Christian Meyre, President, PRE - European Refractories Producers Federation; Managing Director, Refratechnik Cement

• Jose Luis Lanuza, Vice-President, CET - European Ceramic Tiles Manufacturers Federation; CEO, Victoria Ceramics

For more detailed information, please consult the full Programme.

If you are a CU Member or interested in participating, please contact the CU Secretariat to secure your registration (events@cerameunie.eu).

Registrations are subject to confirmation. Please note that attendance to the Public Events of the 23ECD (EPCF Plenary Meetings & CU Public Conference) is limited to the capacity of the venues. Priority will be given to Cerame-Unie Members, MEPs, and EU Officials

EPCF Breakfast Debate | The status of trade in Ceramics, in the current EU trade policy context | 11 October | European Parliament, Brussels

On behalf of Ms. Elisabetta Gualmini MEP, Chair of the European Parliament Ceramics Forum (EPCF), it is our pleasure to invite you to join the EPCF Breakfast Debate on the topic: “The status of trade in Ceramics, in the current EU trade policy context”, which will take place on Wednesday 11 October, from 08h00-09h00, at the Members’ Salon, in the European Parliament, Brussels, Belgium.

The EPCF has its roots in the 1994-1999 Parliament, and it provides a platform for the exchange of views between EU institutions and the ceramic industry on relevant EU policies. Participants of this Forum are Members of the European Parliament, officials, and policymakers from national and EU authorities, high-level representatives of the ceramic industry, and European trade unions.

The EPCF Breakfast Debate: Trade and Ceramics will be opened by a keynote speech from the Deputy Director General - Chief Trade Enforcement Officer (DG TRADE, European Commission), Mr. Denis Redonnet, followed by interventions from industry representatives and the status of trade in ceramics and more particularly on the EU-India FTA currently in negotiation. To ensure a meaningful exchange on this topic, the second half of the event will be dedicated to a Q&A session where priority will be given to interventions by attending MEPs and officials from EU member states.

Please find below an overview of the Programme:

Moderator: Renaud Batier, Director General, Cerame-Unie

Opening Remarks

MEP Elisabetta Gualmini, Chair of the EPCF, Member of Committee on Employment and Social Affairs, European Parliament

Keynote Speech

Denis Redonnet, Deputy Director General and CTEO, DG Trade, European Commission

The status of trade in ceramics and its supply chains

Leonardo Mosca, Senior Trade Policy Manager, Cerame-Unie

EU-India FTA – perspectives from the ceramic industry

Filippo Manuzzi, CEO and Brand Manager, Ceramiche Sant’Agostino, Chair of the Commercial Relations Committee of Confindustria Ceramica

Questions & Answers

We would be honoured to welcome you on this occasion. Should you be interested in attending this event, please proceed with your registration through the following LINK, before Friday 29 September.

You will receive an automatic reply confirming your registration (please remember to check spam). If you do not receive a confirmation, please contact us through events@cerameunie.eu.

EPCF Breakfast Debate | Wednesday 24 May | European Parliament, Brussels

Ms. Elisabetta Gualmini, MEP and Chair of the European Parliament Ceramics Forum (EPCF), hosted the EPCF Breakfast Debate on the topic: “From energy crisis towards climate neutrality: drivers and challenges”, on Wednesday 24 May, from 08h00-09h30, at the Members’ Salon, in the European Parliament, Brussels, Belgium.

As illustrated in the Ceramic Roadmap to 2050: Continuing our Path to Climate Neutrality, the European ceramic industry plays an important role in the implementation of the Green Deal throughout its numerous and strategic value chains and thanks to its global champions (mostly SMEs) providing over 200.000 direct local jobs in virtually all EU Member States. As described in the document, the European ceramic industry has the ambition to reach climate neutrality by 2050. The methods, including the alternative energy needs and technologies are also proposed and presented in detail.

However, the current energy crisis and, in particular, the abrupt price increase of natural gas is contributing to the challenges in the decarbonisation process. Can it also become an opportunity for the industry to intensify its on-going efforts? The drivers and obstacles to the path towards climate neutrality, as well as the potential needs for alternative energy sources, were discussed during the EPCF Breakfast Debate.

Please find below the Programme of the event:

Welcome Speech

MEP Elisabetta Gualmini, Chair of the EPCF, Member of the Committee on Employment and Social Affairs, European Parliament

Guest Speakers

MEP Maria da Graça Carvalho, Member of the Committee on Industry, Research and Energy, European Parliament

Matthew Baldwin, Deputy Director General, DG ENERGY, European Commission

James Watson, Secretary-General, EUROGAS

Ceramic Industry Representatives

Armando Cafiero, Managing Director, Confindustria Ceramica

Johan van der Biest, COO, Wienerberger AG

THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT CERAMICS FORUM DINNER Hosted by EPCF chair MEP elisabetta Gualmini

On March 22 2022, new EPCF Chair MEP Elisabetta Gualmini hosted a dinner in Brussels with Members of the European Parliament, officials, high-level representatives of the Ceramic Industry to launch the upcoming EPCF activities.

The EPCF has hosted multiple debates and high-level meetings on various subjects of key importance to the ceramic industry, including climate policy, energy transition, trade policy, decarbonisation and the role of electrification, circular economy, etc. Reflecting the importance of trade for the ceramic industry, the EPCF also launched in 2021 the EPCF Trade Committee. Lastly, during the 27th plenary meeting of the EPCF held on 16 November 2021, the EPCF focused on the decarbonisation of Ceramics under the “Fit For 55” package and on the need for access to sustainable finance under the Green Taxonomy Regulation.

Due to the essential role of ceramic products and technologies in many value chains, and the commitment to deliver on the European Green Deal, as shown in the new Ceramic Roadmap to 2050, it is fundamental to trigger discussions that support the industry in facing the challenges of the energy, green and digital transitions, while remaining competitive and a provider of local jobs throughout the European Union.

The opportunity was also taken to thank our out-going Chair, MEP Inmaculada Rodríguez-Piñero, who proactively served as EPCF Chair since 2016, for her support and dedication to this platform.

THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT CERAMICS FORUM APPOINTS A NEW CHAIR

The EPCF, a cross-party discussion group whose aim is to facilitate dialogue between the European institutions and the ceramic industry on all relevant policy development, welcomes MEP Elisabetta Gualmini as its new Chair. MEP Gualmini has served as an active member of the EPCF since the beginning of the 2019-2024 parliamentary legislature and will take over from MEP Inmaculada Rodríguez-Piñero, who has proactively served as EPCF Chair since 2016.

Watch the EPCF Live!

16 November 2021 | 15:00-18:30

Panel 1: "Fit for 55: How can it support the decarbonisation efforts of the Industry?"

Panel 2: "Sustainable Finance: Opportunities and Challenges"

To consult the programme & register please click here

EPCF Trade Committee | 28 October | Virtual Event

We kindly invite you to our upcoming (and first) meeting of the Trade Committee of the European Parliament Ceramic Forum (EPCF) to take place virtually on 28 October, from 11h00 to 12h30.

In light of the new global challenges affecting international trade, Cerame-Unie has decided to organise a specific meeting of the EPCF focused on trade-related issues, in order to provide a platform to explore elements of the EU trade policy currently under discussion at institutional level.

The event will consist of two panels on ‘Trade and Sustainability and ‘Trade Aspects of the New Industrial Strategy’, each of them led by three panellists (from the EU Commission, from the EU Parliament, and from the Industry) and moderated by EPCF Chair MEP Inmaculada Rodriguez-Pinero. You can find below the detailed Programme.

We invite you to register through the LINK in order to receive the link to join the call.

Please note that the event is only open to representatives from the European Parliament .

 PROGRAMME

EPCF Webinar Video | "MAKING THE EUROPEAN GREEN DEAL AND CBAs FIT FOR SMES?"

Discover the 🗝️ key messages shared by the exceptional speakers of the EPCF Webinar on how to make the EU Green Deal and CBAs fit for SMEs, held in the context of the 2020 European Ceramic Days, on 17 November.

EPCF Webinar: "MAKING THE EUROPEAN GREEN DEAL AND CBAs FIT FOR SMEs?" 

Moderator: Kathryn Sheridan, Sustainability Consult

✅ Mette Kofoed Quinn, Head of Unit, DG LIMA, European Commission

✅ MEP Elisabetta Gualmini, BUDG, EMPL, European Parliament

✅ Àngels Orduña Cao, Executive Director, A.SPIRE

✅ Murray Rattana-Ngam, Vice-President, TBE-Tiles and Bricks Europe and Managing Director, Ziegelwerk Bellenberg

✅ Alain Delcourt, President, Cerame-Unie

EPCF Webinar Video | "TRADE POLICY REVIEW: THE ROAD TO AN OPEN STRATEGIC AUTONOMY"

Discover the 🗝️ key messages shared by the exceptional speakers of the EPCF Webinar on the EU Trade Policy Review, held in the context of the 2020 European Ceramic Days, on 17 November.

EPCF Webinar: "TRADE POLICY REVIEW: THE ROAD TO AN OPEN STRATEGIC AUTONOMY"

Moderator: Poppy Carnell, MLex

✅ MEP Bernd Lange, INTA Chair, European Parliament
✅ Denis Redonnet, CTEO, Deputy DG, DG Trade, European Commission
✅ MEP Marie-Pierre Vedrenne, INTA Vice-Chair, European Parliament
✅ MEP Inmaculada Rodríguez-Piñero, EPCF Chair, INTA, European Parliament
✅ Paolo Mularoni, President, Ceramica Faetano S.p.a. (Del Conca Group) and Trade WG Chair, Confindustria Ceramica
✅ Renaud Batier, Director-General, Cerame-Unie

Check out the video 🎦 below:

2020 European Ceramic Days | EPCF WEBINARS on Trade, Decarbonisation & SMEs | 17 November | ZOOM

It is our pleasure to invite you to join the 2020 EUROPEAN CERAMIC DAYS and in particular, the Plenary annual meeting of the European Parliament Ceramics Forum (EPCF) converted into two  EPCF WEBINARS, to be held on 17 November.

The European Ceramic Days is an annual event that brings together high-level representatives of the European Ceramic Industry with officials and policymakers from National and EU Authorities.

This event will count on the presence of the following guest speakers:

EPCF Webinar: "TRADE POLICY REVIEW: THE ROAD TO AN OPEN STRATEGIC AUTONOMY" | 14:45-16:15

Moderator: Poppy Carnell

- Denis Redonnet, CTEO, Deputy DG, DG Trade, European Commission

- MEP Bernd Lange, INTA Chair, European Parliament

- MEP Marie-Pierre Vedrenne, INTA, European Parliament

- MEP Inmaculada Rodríguez-Piñero, EPCF Chair, INTA, European Parliament

- Paolo Mularoni, President, Ceramica Faetano S.p.a. (Del Conca Group) and Trade WG Chair, Confindustria Ceramica

EPCF Webinar: "MAKING THE EUROPEAN GREEN DEAL AND CBAs FIT FOR SMEs?" | 16:30-18:00

Moderator: Kathryn Sheridan

- Mette Kofoed Quinn, Head of Unit, DG CLIMA, European Commission

- MEP Elisabetta Gualmini, BUDG, EMPL, European Parliament

- MEP Angelika Winzig, BUDG, European Parliament (tbc)

- Àngels Orduña Cao, Executive Director, A. SPIRE

- Murray Rattana-Ngam, Vice-President, TBE-Tiles and Bricks Europe and Managing Director, Ziegelwerk Bellenberg

- Alain Delcourt, President, Cerame-Unie

To consult the draft Programme of the event, please click on the following LINK.

The EPCF WEBINARS will be held through the online platform ZOOM. Please register your participation through the following LINK, before Monday 16 November.

You will receive an automatic reply confirming your registration and granting you an access link to the Webinars (please remember to check spam). If you do not receive a confirmation please contact us through events@cerameunie.eu.

Please do not hesitate to contact us should you require additional information or any assistance.

Looking forward to welcoming you to the 2020 European Ceramic Days and the EPCF Webinars.

EPCF & CU WEBINAR “DECARBONISATION PATHWAYS RELATED TO INDIRECT EMISSIONS IN THE CERAMIC INDUSTRY, UNDER THE GREEN DEAL” | 30 JUNE 2020 | 10H00-11H30

The European Parliament Ceramics Forum (EPCF) and Cerame-Unie (CU) kindly invite you to join the Webinar “Decarbonisation pathways related to indirect emissions in the Ceramic Industry, under the Green Deal”, to be held on Tuesday 30 June, from 10:00-11:30. 

Cerame-Unie is currently updating the 2012 Roadmap towards 2050. In that context, the Webinar aims to give an overview of where the Ceramic Industry stands in terms of decarbonisation pathways and how research & innovation, emerging technologies, more particularly those implying further electrification, can support and fuel this transformation. In addition to showcasing three ongoing research projects relying on electricity, the webinar will also address economic conditions related to the transition towards decarbonisation in the context of the ETS State Aid Guidelines, currently under review.

Please click HERE to consult the Programme of the event.

The Webinar will be held through the online platform ZOOM. Please register your participation through the following LINK, before Friday 26 June.

You will receive an automatic reply confirming your registration and granting you an access link to the Webinar (please remember to check spam). If you do not receive confirmation please contact us through events@cerameunie.eu.

Please do not hesitate to contact us should you require additional information or any assistance.

Looking forward to welcoming you to the EPCF & CU Webinar.

2020 EUROPEAN CERAMIC DAYS – SAVE THE DATE

We hereby cordially invite you to attend the 2020 European Ceramic Days, to take place on 17-18 November in Brussels, and more particularly to the EP Ceramics Forum scheduled for 17 November at the European Parliament, which will be followed by the EPCF & CU Cocktail & Dinner.

The European Ceramic Days is an annual event that brings together high-level representatives of the European Ceramic Industry with officials and policymakers from national and EU authorities.

The detailed Programme will follow in due time.

Looking forward to welcoming you to the 2020 European Ceramic Days!

25TH ANNIVERSARY – EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT CERAMICS FORUM – 2019 European Ceramic Days

On 20-21 November, Cerame-Unie (CU) hosted the 2019 European Ceramic Days at the European Parliament in Brussels, Belgium.

The two-day event began with the plenary meeting and celebration of the 25th anniversary of the European Parliament Ceramics Forum (EPCF), chaired by EPCF Chair Inmaculada Rodríguez-Piñero Fernández MEP.

The EPCF welcomed keynote speakers to address topics as environment, energy, trade, climate, and R&I. Fulvia Raffaelli (Head of Unit, Clean Technologies and Products, DG GROW) addressed energy, industry, climate and environment, emphasising the importance to carry out a green transition of the energy intensive industries, which ensures competitiveness. On R&I, Peter Droell (Director DG Research & Innovation – Prosperity (Rtd.F)) shared how Horizon 2020 and similar partnerships can support, contribute and fuel innovation in the ceramic industry. Closing the session, Roman Doubrava (Deputy Head of Unit C3 DG CLIMA) introduced the EU ETS Innovation fund.

The EPCF Plenary Meeting was followed by the EPCF & CU Cocktail and Dinner. The event counted with the presence of special guest Mr. Malcolm Harbour, former MEP and one of the founders of the EPCF. Mr. Alain Delcourt, President of Cerame-Unie, welcomed all participants and cheered to the 25th Anniversary of the EPCF.

25TH ANNIVERSARY EPCF | 16:00 - 18:00 | Wednesday 20 November | European Parliament (room ASP 5E2)

WELCOME

INMACULADA RODRÍGUEZ-PIÑERO - MEP and Chair of the EPCF

PANEL DEBATE

"Defining the ambition of Ceramics under the process of Industrial Transformation"

FULVIA RAFFAELLI - HEAD OF UNIT CLEAN IN CHARGE OF TECHNOLOGIES AND PRODUCTS – DG FOR INTERNAL MARKET, INDUSTRY, ENTREPRENEURSHIP AND SMES – INDUSTRIAL TRANSFORMATION AND ADVANCED VALUE CHAINS (DDG1 .C - DG GROW)

Masterplan for a competitive transformation of EU Energy Intensive Industries enabling a climate neutral circular economy

PETER DROELL - DIRECTOR DG RESEARCH & INNOVATION – PROSPERITY (RTD.F)

How can Horizon Europe and future partnerships facilitate industrial transformation in process industries such as the ceramic industry

ROMAN DOUBRAVA - DEPUTY HEAD OF UNIT C3 DG CLIMATE ACTION - CLIMATE STRATEGY, GOVERNANCE AND EMISSIONS FROM NON-TRADING SECTORS - LAND USE AND FINANCE FOR INNOVATION (CLIMA.C.3)

Perspectives under the EU ETS Innovation Fund

Panel Chair: Anthea McIntyre, MEP, Member of the Environment Committee, Vice-Chair of the EPCF

Panelists:

Christof Domenig, CEO Wienerberger Building Solutions

Roman Blažíček, CEO Lasselsberger, s.r.o.

Dr Christian Meyre, Managing Director, Refratechnik Cement

Please consult the Programme of the EPCF 25th Anniversary here and register in the event through the online registration form.

For more informations regarding the European Ceramic Days 2019, please consult the Cerame-Unie Website, through the following link (full Programme here).

For more information or assistance, please contact events@cerameunie.eu