EURATEX urges action to save Europe's textile industry at EUCO summit

The chain of factors determining the sharp decline in Europe’s competitiveness is twofold. First, the energy cost in Europe is more than six times higher than in the US, China, and neighbouring countries. This factor alone has almost erased the business case for producing in the EU, according to a joint press release by the European Apparel and Textile Confederation (EURATEX), European Silk Association (AIUFASS), European Man-made Fibres Association (CIRFS), European Disposables and Nonwovens Association (EDANA), European Federation of Cotton and Allied Textiles Industries (EUROCOTON), and the International Fur Federation (IFF).

At present, many textiles and clothing companies are producing at net loss or have shut down production. The industrial conditions have worsened in such a way that there is no business case to invest in Europe or buy products produced or processed in the EU.

Secondly, while the EU is passive and extremely slow in articulating a credible and effective response to the energy crisis, Europe’s main international competitors and trade partners (China, India, and the US respectively) have developed comprehensive state-aid frameworks for their domestic industry despite not being affected by this crisis at all. The latest example is the $369 billion scheme of the Inflation Reduction Act rolled out by the Biden administration.

It is also evident that the surge in imports goes in parallel with the surge of natural gas price. It is expected that energy prices will remain high and volatile, opening the door for imports to gain substantial market shares in the EU.

The chart indicates the development of the Title Transfer Facility (TTF) until September 2022 since Eurostat data for the four quarter (Q4) of 2022 has not been published yet. EURATEX is aware that the market situation has eased somewhat since in the past months, but the crisis remains because gas prices are still extremely high in comparison to last year. This suggests that the current loss of competitiveness of the EU manufacturing will not be recovered even with lower energy prices, unless measures are taken to correct the unlevel playing field on which the EU industry has to operate in the international markets. Only with an ambitious and comprehensive relaunch plan at the EU level, Europe will be able to restore its credibility as a global manufacturing powerhouse and investments.

If the status quo is maintained, not only will the EU not be able to recover its competitive position on the global business stage, but it will also fail its plans to reach zero-net emissions and achieve circularity. It is evident that these ambitions—that Europe’s industry is passionately supporting—need massive capital investments. However, in the current scenario one can only expect an investments diversion to markets where governments are actively supporting those investments and energy costs are much lower—regardless of their fossil- or non-fossil origin.

European textile industry members—the whole value chain, from fibres, nonwovens, to fabrics, clothing manufacturers—are facing unprecedented pressure deriving from the current geopolitical situation, the new macroeconomic conditions, and unfair competition from third states. The situation is going to worsen if no emergency action is taken, especially because a recession is expected in the coming months.

The main structural component of the EU manufacturing are small medium enterprises (SMEs). These are economic actors that are particularly exposed to the current crisis as they do not have the financial leverage to absorb the impact of energy prices for much longer. Urgent EU action is needed to ensure their survival.

EURATEX has called on EU political leaders in the European Commission, in the European Council, and in the national capitals to raise ambitions and adopt a comprehensive approach at the EU level. Energy, state-aid, and trade policy must be brought together in a single strategy with concrete emergency solutions and with a clear SME dimension.

A meaningful price cap must be adopted on natural gas wholesales, that should be ideally no higher than €80/MWh. In parallel, it should also be ensured that electricity prices are brought to a sustainable price level, added the release.

The European posture on state-aid needs a change even temporarily. An ambitious plan of investments and state-aid in green technologies to support the industrial transition should be rolled out.

Access to finance and markets must be safeguarded for all those actors who are capable and willing to invest in Europe, on the basis of reciprocity. In these challenging times for geopolitical stability, ensuring strong trade ties with Europe’s traditional allies and partners is of utmost importance.

The roll-out of an investment and state aid plan should not interfere, but rather support, the dialogue with the US (and other partners) and the deepening of Europe’s trade and investment partnership. Such a dialogue should be accelerated in the context of the Trade and Technology Council (TTC) as well as at World Trade Organisation (WTO) level.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (NB)