Fourteen French MEPs from the Socialists and Democrats group, led by Claire Fita, have asked the European Commission whether it considers the EU's paper pulp and cellulose fibre production capacities strategic for industrial autonomy, following the administration of Fibre Excellence, one of France's last pulp producers. The written question, dated 14 July 2026, warns that the closure of sites in Saint-Gaudens and Tarascon threatens local employment and exposes the EU's dependence on imports for inputs critical to packaging, hygiene, textile and bioeconomy sectors.
The MEPs' question contains three concrete asks. First, they request a consolidated analysis of EU pulp and cellulose-fibre production capacities and a clear statement on whether the Commission views the sector as strategic. Second, they ask which EU funding instruments — specifically the European Regional Development Fund, the Innovation Fund, and the planned Industrial Decarbonisation Bank — could be mobilised to support modernisation and electrification of such energy-intensive sites. Third, they seek clarity on how the forthcoming bioeconomy strategy, which identifies cellulose fibres as a priority bio-based sector, will be linked to the Clean Industrial Deal.
The question reflects a policy orientation favouring stronger EU intervention to preserve domestic industrial capacity in a sector hit by high energy costs and decarbonisation challenges. The MEPs implicitly argue that market forces alone will not secure the strategic value chain, and that public funding and coordinated EU strategy are needed. The Commission is expected to reply within approximately six weeks; its answer will signal whether it shares the MEPs' view of pulp as a strategic sector and what financial support it envisages.