Tile producers are navigating the sharpest downturn in years, driven by soaring energy costs that slow pavement production and trigger regulatory delays in Employment Regulatory Files. In Castellón, the impact is especially painful, with as many as 25,000 jobs tied to this industry. Companies are pressing for direct support to cover gas expenses while the government reviews options. In response, the ceramics association Ascer has taken the unprecedented step of briefing Brussels on the urgent pressures facing Spain’s flagship sector, seeking swift action from European authorities.
Vicente Nomdedeu, president of Ascer, and Alberto Echavarría, secretary general, arrived in Brussels with a demanding itinerary of high-level meetings. Their mission is straightforward: amplify the concerns of an industry battered by energy volatility and push for immediate relief measures that can stabilize production and preserve jobs.
Accompanying them were discussions with Cristina Lobillo, Director of Energy Policy at the European Commission, about how the Green Deal and related policy instruments can be leveraged to shield energy-intensive industries from price shocks. The delegation also met with Juan Sánchez Peñuela, Minister of Energy at Spain’s Permanent Representation to the European Union, to ensure that the industry’s needs are closely monitored from Brussels and reflected in national and EU decision-making.
alternatives to gas
One key dialogue centered on potential shifts away from gas dependency. The group engaged Kadri Simson, European Energy Commissioner, during a meeting with cabinet member Tatiana Márquez to explore how energy markets can be stabilized and what alternatives exist to reduce gas costs and consumption. The discussion emphasized diversified supply options, efficiency gains, and the role of strategic reserves as part of a broader energy resilience strategy.
The Brussels schedule also included a briefing with Isabel Yglesias, President of European Affairs and permanent delegate of the CEOE, where tile manufacturers outlined the sector’s challenges and the benefits of cross-border collaborations. A further discussion with Denis Redonnet, Executive Vice President of Commerce and Head of Commercial Compliance, addressed anti-dumping measures and the need to remove remaining trade barriers that hinder competitiveness. The objective was to secure timely safeguards and foster a more predictable trading environment for ceramic exporters.
Ascer’s senior leadership continued to press their case throughout the day with a robust roster of meetings designed to underscore Castellón’s key concerns: sustained high energy costs, pressure on margins, and the imperative to safeguard employment in a sector that anchors regional economies. The aim was to translate these concerns into concrete policy steps that can mitigate price volatility, support industrial energy efficiency, and protect communities dependent on tile production from the fallout of steep energy bills.
Across the meetings, the representatives articulated a clear narrative: rising gas prices threaten competitiveness and jobs, and a coordinated, Europe-wide response is essential. The discussions explored pathways for rapid relief measures, better energy market signals, and targeted support for energy-intensive industries that already operate under tight margins. The intent was to position Castellón’s tile sector as a case study for how proactive policy can stabilize production and preserve employment while broader energy reforms are implemented.
The ongoing Brussels engagement signals a concerted effort to align regional industry needs with European policy levers. By presenting a detailed picture of the sector’s vulnerabilities and potential recovery routes, Ascer hopes to secure timely action that will reduce energy burdens and unlock a path toward sustainable production in the tile sector.
Nomdedeu and Echavarría continued to meet with European policymakers and Cabinet members focused on energy strategy, underscoring the urgency of tempering price spikes and supporting energy-intensive manufacturing. The meetings in Brussels reflect a broader strategy to integrate industry voice into the EU’s energy transition while safeguarding local jobs and regional economic stability.