Executive Vice-President Stéphane Séjourné, in a written answer on 18 June 2026, acknowledged the risk of the recycled and lead-free brass production sector disappearing from the EU, specifically citing the case of HME Brass in L'Aigle, Normandy. He signalled that existing EU instruments — including state aid rules, the Steel and Metals Action Plan, and the proposed Industrial Accelerator Act — could support the sector, but stopped short of announcing new targeted measures.
The answer comes in response to a parliamentary question from Thomas Pellerin-Carlin (S&D, France), who had warned that HME Brass, the only EU site producing this alloy within the Hailiang Metal Group, faces economic difficulties that threaten the entire sector. Pellerin-Carlin had asked whether the Commission was aware of the situation and what measures it would take, including state aid, public procurement, or integration into Important Projects of Common European Interest (IPCEIs).
Séjourné's reply is largely declarative, referencing existing policy frameworks rather than proposing new commitments. He noted that the 2025 Steel and Metals Action Plan already addresses scrap trade monitoring, recycling investments, and clean energy access. He also pointed to the proposed Industrial Accelerator Act, which aims to streamline permitting for decarbonisation projects, and to the Clean Industrial Deal State Aid Framework (CISAF), which facilitates decarbonisation investments. Member States can also use Rescue and Restructuring Guidelines to support companies in difficulty.
The answer does not specify whether the Commission will take direct action on HME Brass or the broader brass sector, nor does it set a timeline for further steps. The policy orientation is one of relying on existing frameworks rather than creating sector-specific support. Institutional follow-up is likely to involve monitoring by the Commission's Directorate-General for Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship and SMEs (DG GROW), and potential future questions from MEPs if the situation deteriorates.
Stakeholder impact: The answer provides limited immediate relief for HME Brass and the recycled brass sector, which faces closure risks. EU producers of lead-free brass may benefit indirectly from CISAF and the Industrial Accelerator Act, but these are general tools not tailored to their specific cost pressures. EU consumers of brass components (e.g., plumbing, automotive) could face supply disruptions if production ceases. Competitors outside the EU, particularly in China, may gain market share if EU production falters, undermining the bloc's industrial sovereignty goals.