In a written answer on 30 July 2026, Trade Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič told the European Parliament that silicon was deliberately excluded from the EU's November 2025 safeguard measures on ferro-alloys because the legal conditions for its inclusion were not met at the time. Responding to a question from Ana Miranda Paz (Verts/ALE, Spain), Šefčovič acknowledged the difficult circumstances facing the EU silicon industry, including high energy costs and structural overcapacity, and pointed to the strategic importance of silicon for industrial applications. He stressed that the Commission is available to engage with the industry on the possible use of trade defence instruments where legal conditions are met, but gave no commitment to extend the existing safeguards to cover silicon.
The answer comes after the Commission imposed definitive safeguard measures on certain ferro-alloying elements in November 2025, following an investigation under EU and WTO rules. That investigation examined silicon but did not include it in the measures. The safeguards, set out in Implementing Regulation (EU) 2025/2351, are subject to review if circumstances change, such as insufficient availability of ferro-alloys or unsustainable price increases for downstream users, and in any event no later than one year after entry into force. Šefčovič's reply reiterates the Commission's monitoring role and its openness to dialogue, but stops short of announcing any immediate action.
The question from Miranda Paz highlighted the plight of the Sabón plant in A Coruña, the only silicon producer in Spain, which has seen its market share fall from 38% in 2019 to 24% in 2025 amid oversupply from China and Angola. The plant is reportedly shifting to ferrosilicon production, but cost-to-revenue imbalances are undermining its viability and threatening jobs. The Commission's answer offers no specific measures for the plant, instead pointing to the general legal framework and the possibility of future reviews.
the Commission is not prepared to extend safeguards to silicon without a legal basis, but it leaves the door open for a review if market conditions deteriorate further. Stakeholders most affected include EU silicon producers like the Sabón plant, which face continued competitive pressure; downstream users of ferro-alloys, who benefit from lower prices but may face supply risks; and EU trade authorities, who must balance WTO compliance with industrial policy concerns. The answer provides no timeline for any potential review beyond the one-year statutory deadline, and no concrete proposals to address the sector's structural challenges.