PET EUROPE, a non-profit trade association headquartered in Brussels, Belgium, represents European PET (polyethylene terephthalate) resin producers, with a combined annual production capacity of 3.5 million tons of virgin PET (vPET). Our members, including European terephthalic acid (PTA) producers, play a pivotal role in ensuring a stable and secure supply of essential raw materials for food packaging, medical applications, and pharmaceutical products. The European PET industry supports thousands of jobs across the supply chain and remains committed to sustainable manufacturing and innovation in line with the European Green Deal objectives.
The Strategic Importance of Antimony in PET Production
Antimony is a critical catalyst in PET production, with limited global availability. Recognizing its strategic significance, the European Union has classified antimony as a critical raw material under the EU Critical Raw Materials Act. Ensuring secure, stable, and cost-effective access to antimony is imperative for maintaining PET production, enhancing supply chain resilience, and supporting Europe’s transition to a circular economy.
China’s Export Controls and Their Consequences
China, which accounts for approximately 54.4% of the world’s antimony production (“Antimony Statistics and Information” (PDF). National Minerals Information Center. USGS.), recently imposed stringent export controls on antimony-related materials. Under Announcement No. 33 of 2024, issued by China’s Ministry of Commerce and the General Administration of Customs, exporters must now obtain specific licenses for export of antimony-related items, effective September 15, 2024 (https://www.highlight-it.com/NewsDetail/5098590.html).
These new measures introduce complex documentation requirements and severe penalties for non-compliance, significantly restricting global access to this critical material.
This policy is part of a broader strategy consolidating China’s dominance over critical raw material supply chains, exacerbating supply risks for European industries. For European PET producers, these restrictions pose serious challenges:
- Rising Production Costs: Supply shortages and trade barriers will significantly increase costs, eroding the global competitiveness of European PET manufacturers.
- Supply Chain Vulnerability: Heavy dependence on a single dominant supplier heightens the risk of production disruptions and market volatility.
- Threats to Sustainability Goals: Europe’s investments in sustainable PET production and recycling are at risk if access to antimony remains uncertain. Over reliance on distant suppliers undermines the EU’s ambitions for a resilient circular economy.
Call to Action
In light of these challenges, PET EUROPE urges the European Commission to take decisive action to ensure continued access to antimony for European PET producers. Key measures should include:
- Engagement through WTO Mechanisms: Assess China’s export controls for potential non-compliance with WTO regulations and pursue appropriate trade remedies.
- Trade Defense Measures: Implement countermeasures to mitigate the adverse impact of China’s export restrictions on European industries.
- Policy Alignment with Industrial Strategy: Embedding raw material security within broader EU industrial and trade policy frameworks to enhance resilience and maintain Europe’s competitive edge in high-value manufacturing sectors.
Conclusion
Antimony is indispensable to European PET production, and China’s newly imposed export controls pose a direct threat to the stability and competitiveness of the industry. The European Commission must urgently address this issue as part of its broader strategic autonomy agenda and take immediate action to protect Europe’s industrial resilience. Swift intervention is required to prevent long-term disruptions, safeguard sustainability-driven innovation, and secure the future of European PET manufacturing.
