European non-ferrous metals producers may move to countries where environmental legislation is less strict unless the impact of forthcoming measures is reduced, an industry spokesman said on Thursday.
Javier Targhetta, president of Eurometaux, said the industry was concerned over high and unpredictable power costs, the added cost of a new emissions trading scheme (ETS) in 2013 and a new registry of chemicals, amongst other issues.
Industry group Eurometaux estimates non-ferrous metals makers directly and indirectly employ one million people in Europe, and contribute 2 percent of its economic output.
"Without satisfactory solutions in these areas, the European industry's competitiveness will be seriously affected by the market and regulatory advantages of emerging countries," Targhetta told journalists.
Electricity accounts for an average of 35 percent of production costs for non-ferrous metals -- 60 percent for aluminum -- and producers say big differences in policy between European countries and lack of interconnection make power more expensive.
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European non-ferrous metals producers may move to countries where environmental legislation is less strict unless the impact of forthcoming measures is reduced, an industry spokesman said on Thursday.
