This Week in Manufacturing — Brussels (#22, 2026)
Commission approves Holcim-Xella deal with Romanian divestment; New Battery Booster Facility launched; Major anti-dumping renewal for glass fibre fabrics; Rail infrastructure capacity Regulation adopted; Multiple trade and customs legal acts in force.
June 07, 2026 to June 13, 2026
Commission approves Holcim-Xella deal with Romanian divestment; New Battery Booster Facility launched; Major anti-dumping renewal for glass fibre fabrics; Rail infrastructure capacity Regulation adopted; Multiple trade and customs legal acts in force.
📋 In This Week's Newsletter
• 🇪🇺 European Commission
• ⚖️ EU Legislation
• 🤝 EU Council
• ✒️ EP Committee Work
• 📚 What We're Reading This Week
European Commission
Commission approves Holcim's acquisition of Xella, subject to conditions
The European Commission has approved, under the EU Merger Regulation (Case M.12201), Holcim Ltd’s acquisition of Xella International S.A., conditional on Holcim's divestment of its AAC blocks plant in Adjud, Romania. The review found competition concerns in Romania’s autoclaved aerated concrete (AAC) blocks sector, given both companies' strong market presence. Holcim committed to fully divest the overlapping operations, a remedy accepted following a market test. The transaction was notified on 20 April 2026 and cleared after a 35-working day Phase I review. An independent trustee will supervise the divestment, and the Commission will approve the suitability of any potential buyers. Both companies are significant suppliers of building materials across the EEA.
Commission establishes Battery Booster Facility to support EU battery manufacturing ramp-up
Commission Decision (EU) 2026/1283 established the Battery Booster Facility, with up to EUR 1.5 billion from the Innovation Fund for 2026. The Facility aims to provide interest-free loans to electric vehicle battery cell manufacturers during their critical ramp-up phase, improving access to capital in the context of global overcapacity and non-EU subsidies. Eligibility requires first commercial-scale projects within the EEA, particularly those aligned with the Net Zero Industry Act (Regulation EU 2024/1735). Repayment schedules are flexible, with penalties for relocation outside the EEA. The Facility is coordinated under the Clean Industrial Deal and intends to reinforce the EU’s domestic supply chain for batteries and related technologies.
EU Legislation (Official Journal)
EU renews anti-dumping duties on glass fibre fabrics from China and Egypt
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/1203, published 9 June 2026, renews definitive anti-dumping duties on woven and/or stitched glass fibre fabrics from China and Egypt, as well as products consigned from Morocco and Türkiye. The expiry review, under Article 11(2) of Regulation (EU) 2016/1036, found that imports from the two countries continued at dumped prices and caused injury to the Union industry, mainly serving sectors such as wind turbine and vehicle manufacturing. The renewed measures also address previous circumvention practices, applying extended duties to certain re-exported goods and specifying individual rates. Duties for Chinese producers include 69.0% for major firms and 33.1% for Egyptian exporters.
New rules: Use of railway infrastructure capacity in the single European railway area
Regulation (EU) 2026/1184 adopted on 20 May 2026 and published 10 June 2026 establishes unified rules for the use of railway infrastructure capacity, replacing Regulation (EU) No 913/2010 and amending Directive 2012/34/EU. It introduces harmonised planning, allocation, and monitoring of capacity for freight and passenger services, with new procedures for handling congested infrastructure, strategic planning, and performance review. The new regulation is a central measure to support the modal shift from road to rail, contributing to EU decarbonisation targets under the European Green Deal.
Council Decision: EU participation in WCO committees on customs valuation and rules of origin
Council Decision (EU) 2026/1340, adopted 4 June 2026, formalises the EU position in the Technical Committees on Customs Valuation and on Rules of Origin of the World Customs Organization. It establishes guidelines for EU positions when adopting advisory opinions, explanatory notes, and similar instruments that impact Regulation (EU) No 952/2013 (Union Customs Code) and related delegated and implementing acts.
Decision on technical rules for modelling air quality representativeness
Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2026/1208, published 10 June 2026, sets technical criteria for air quality modelling applications, especially regarding spatial representativeness of sampling points, under Directive (EU) 2024/2881. The Decision defines minimum quality assurance for modelling, integrating both fixed and indicative measurement methods, and enters into effect from 30 June 2028.
EU Council
ECOFIN Council reaches position on carbon border adjustment mechanism and market integration
On 12 June 2026, the Economic and Financial Affairs Council (ECOFIN) agreed a position to further strengthen the EU’s carbon border adjustment mechanism (CBAM), closing existing loopholes and supporting a level playing field for European industry. Ministers also held a policy debate on the market integration and supervision package, a core element of the Savings and Investments Union.
Eurogroup reviews macroeconomic challenges and energy security priorities
At its meeting on 11 June 2026, the Eurogroup discussed macroeconomic and fiscal developments, with a focus on fiscal policy after temporary pandemic measures, and held an inclusive exchange on the resilience of energy systems and European technological sovereignty, based on input from the IMF.
EP Committee Work
ENVI draft report on ceasing invalidation of allowances in the market stability reserve
On 11 June 2026, the ENVI Committee published a draft report (rapporteur: Pierfrancesco Maran) regarding the proposal to amend Decision (EU) 2015/1814 as it relates to the cessation of invalidation of emissions allowances in the market stability reserve. The report evaluates the impact for the new emissions trading system (ETS2), focusing on buildings and road transport, reflecting negotiations on stronger market stability measures.
ITRE draft opinion on regulation simplifying technical requirements for motor vehicles
On 9 June 2026, the Committee on Industry, Research and Energy (rapporteur: Giorgio Gori) released a draft opinion on the proposal to amend Regulations (EC) No 561/2006, (EU) 2018/858, (EU) 2019/2144, and (EU) 2024/1257. The opinion addresses simplification of technical requirements and testing procedures for motor vehicles, including the proposed repeal of Council Directive 70/157/EEC and Regulation No 540/2014.
IMCO draft opinion on 2027 budget guidelines for the internal market
On 8 June 2026, the Committee on the Internal Market and Consumer Protection (rapporteur: Piotr Müller) published a draft opinion outlining guidelines for the EU’s 2027 budget, with a focus on funding continuity, competitiveness, and resilience for the Single Market.
BUDG recommendation on financial measures post-ECSC and for steel research
On 8 June 2026, the Committee on Budgets (rapporteur: Johan Van Overtveldt) issued a recommendation on the Council draft decision for implementing Protocol No 37 concerning the financial consequences of the expiry of the ECSC Treaty, and the management of the Research Fund for Coal and Steel.
What We're Reading This Week
- ‘If China attacks Taiwan, you will be affected too,’ Taiwan warns EU: Taiwan urges the EU to recognize that a China-Taiwan conflict would have significant global economic and security consequences.
- 'Partners and friends’: Trade and defence top of agenda at EU-South Korea summit: EU and South Korea strengthen ties with new agreements focused on trade and defence cooperation at their latest summit.
