Opinion by José Miguel Guerrero, President of Confemetal and Ceemet
Europe has rediscovered the need for industry to achieve strategic autonomy. The economic and social foundation that Europe has historically built is precisely its industry. After decades of offshoring and external dependence, geopolitics has brought back to the forefront the urgent need to manufacture, innovate and defend with companies, labour and products within our own borders. In this new cycle, which has begun at a rapid pace, the metal sector is once again emerging as a strategic axis of European industrial policy.
The reindustrialisation of the continent is not only a priority, but an essential objective in view of what lies ahead: from the still distant peace in Eastern Europe to the possible rearmament of Russia. It must be a smart reindustrialisation that focuses on dynamic sectors and guarantees the competitiveness of European factories.
The cross-cutting nature of metal and its capacity to incorporate advanced technology place it in a privileged starting position. This sector is part of processes as diverse as renewable energies, industrial decarbonisation and the production of armaments, military machinery and their components. It is present at sea (in naval structures), in the air (in aerospace systems) and in space (in satellites). Metal silently permeates almost all productive sectors.
Global instability is marked by the Russian invasion of Ukraine, growing barriers to international trade and, in particular, the escalation of war in the Middle East. In an increasingly protectionist world, the European Union needs to guarantee its supply capacity, reduce critical dependencies and reindustrialise.
The boom in defence and security budgets – with multi-million-pound investments in armaments, military logistics and dual-use technologies – is opening up new demand for a sector that, for years, has had to compete without institutional support against countries with lower costs and more relaxed regulatory requirements.
Increasing Europe’s productive capacity requires more than just investment: it requires integrating our industries into all stages of the value chain, from design to final assembly. Due to its versatility and scope, the metal sector must be present at every link in the production process.
Committing to European industry is not only strategic: it is essential for Europe to regain its economic, technological and operational sovereignty.
Investment from the EU budget must be channelled through a “Made in Europe” approach, avoiding duplication, standardising production and generating economies of scale that improve the competitiveness of our companies.
We must bear in mind that the very welfare state is at stake. Social spending ultimately depends on a solid productive base. Europe must find a formula to make rearmament and smart reindustrialisation viable without compromising its public accounts or its social model.
That is why reindustrialising Europe cannot simply mean rebuilding on the ashes of what has been lost. This effort requires rethinking the production model under new parameters: sustainability, digitalisation, energy efficiency, training and a firm commitment to industrial talent. This is the strategy for generating wealth and quality jobs.
Investments in decarbonisation, the recycling of materials as a pillar of the circular economy and the incorporation of 4.0 technologies – automation, digital twins, artificial intelligence applied to production – are already a reality in many European companies, especially those that are committed to added value over volume.
The metallurgical industry is ageing and suffering from a growing shortage of skilled professionals. Welders, industrial technicians, engineers and skilled operators are in short supply. And they are precisely the foundation of European rearmament. Without a clear vocational training policy tailored to market needs and without dignifying technical work, reindustrialisation will be left without the hands to make it possible.
Europe has before it the opportunity – and the responsibility – to transform its productive fabric. This reindustrialisation cannot be tackled in a fragmented manner or on the basis of short-term national interests; it must be a European project with a long-term vision. A comprehensive vision is needed, as well as real coordination between countries, institutions and companies to turn this phase into a truly European project. If Europe wants to guarantee its security, protect its social model and compete in the new global order, it cannot afford to ignore the silent strength of its industry.