Answer given by Executive Vice-President Séjourné on behalf of the European Commission
13.11.2025
A safeguard investigation concerning certain alloying elements, including silicon, is in its final stage. Since the investigation is still ongoing, the Commission cannot provide more details at this stage.
In parallel, the Commission is monitoring market developments and industrial capacities across the silicon value chain under the EU Critical Raw Materials Act[1].
Anti-dumping measures on imports of ferro-silicon from China and Russia are in place since 2007. Trade defence instruments, such as anti-dumping are complaint driven. Thus, the Commission will assess any duly substantiated request and initiate an investigation, if the relevant criteria are met.
The Commission also supports industry by implementing the measures proposed under the Clean Industrial Deal[2] to reinforce the competitiveness and decarbonisation of energy-intensive industries, including the electrometallurgical sector.
Dedicated actions target small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), such as the new EUR 500 million pilot programme with the European Investment Bank (EIB) to provide guarantees for corporate Power Purchase Agreements and a EUR 1.5 billion EIB grids manufacturing package to support EU component producers.
The Deal also establishes industrial transition pathways with attention to SMEs and, through the adopted Chemicals Action Plan[3], introduces SME-focused measures such as the Critical Chemicals Alliance, regulatory simplification to cut administrative burden, cost-relief and de-risking tools, and dedicated innovation hubs to help SMEs modernise, decarbonise and stay competitive.
- [1] Regulation (EU) 2024/1252 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 April 2024 establishing a framework for ensuring a secure and sustainable supply of critical raw materials.
- [2] Communication from the Commission — The Clean Industrial Deal: A joint roadmap for competitiveness and decarbonisation, COM(2025) 85 final.
- [3] Communication from the Commission — A European Chemicals Industry Action Plan, COM(2025) 530 final.