EIGA Newsletter

As we approach the end of the year, the Industrial Gases sector continues to play a pivotal role in Europe's energy transition and resilience strategy. This edition of the EIGA Newsletter brings you insights into four important developments shaping our industry: the launch of the Hydrogen Mechanism, the review of the ETS State Aid Guidelines, preparations for the Winter Summit 2026, and the formation of the Critical Chemicals Alliance.

Each of these initiatives reflects our shared commitment to innovation, sustainability, and collaboration. 

Philippe Cornille
Secretary General

Key Themes
• Decarbonisation through Oxyfuel: How does oxyfuel contribute to reducing emissions in steel and glass production?
• Customer Perspectives: What are the market drivers and adoption challenges?
• Safety First: Best practices for handling oxygen in industrial environments.

“Oxygen is not just one of the gases we supply – it is the very foundation of our sector. From life-saving medical applications to essential industrial processes, oxygen embodies the purpose and responsibility of our industry: to deliver solutions that sustain life and enable progress.” Philippe Cornille

Networking and Knowledge Sharing
Expect interactive sessions, expert interviews, and opportunities to connect with peers across Europe.

National Associations meet in Brussels

Europe’s National Industrial Gases Associations come together, the conversation goes beyond borders. The meeting which took place on 5 November delivered:

- Sharp questions on EU legislation and its implementation – ensuring clarity and consistency across the sector.
- Fresh insights from diverse perspectives – the same topic viewed through different national lenses.
Example: The ongoing review of the ETS State Aid Guidelines at EU level (COM14) calls for Industrial Gases to be included in the eligibility list. Yet, State Aid application varies widely among Member States, creating uneven support for our industry.
- A bottom-up approach to future priorities – what happens in one country often signals trends for others. 

Together, we shape a stronger, more resilient sector!

ETS State Aid Guidelines

The European Commission is due to extend ETS-linked state aid to 20 new sectors, including batteries, rubber and fertilisers. More energy-intensive industries could be eligible for state aid to help offset the indirect costs of the EU’s carbon market (ETS), under a draft amendment to Commission guidelines. If the draft is approved, 34 sectors would be eligible for compensation for a rise in electricity prices, up from the current 14. Newly eligible industries include batteries, glass, rubber, fertilisers, ceramic tiles and textile fibres. The guidelines run until 2030 and allow member states to compensate the newly eligible sectors as of 2025. “The combined effect of high energy prices and the rise in emission costs” has increased the risk of carbon leakage when companies offshore production to places with laxer rules, the Commission said. It consulted on the plans over the summer.

On 18 November, EIGA addressed a letter to the Commission, asking for the likes of oxygen and nitrogen to be added to the list; the draft does not include them.

The rationale of our request is available in our COM14.

Accelerating the Hydrogen Economy: The H₂ Mechanism

Connecting Supply and Demand
The European Commission has launched the Hydrogen Mechanism to bridge the gap between hydrogen producers and consumers. This initiative aims to accelerate market creation for renewable and low-carbon hydrogen and its derivatives, including ammonia, methanol, and eSAF.

Building Resilience: The Critical Chemicals Alliance

As part of its European Chemicals Industry Action Plan published in July 2025, the European Commission set up the Critical Chemicals Alliance, a collaborative effort aimed at securing Europe’s supply of essential raw materials and chemicals.

This initiative responds to growing concerns about strategic dependencies and seeks to strengthen the EU chemicals industry through coordinated action plans.
The alliance focuses on:
• Mapping critical chemicals and identifying vulnerabilities.
• Advocating for supportive regulatory frameworks.
• Promoting innovation and circularity to reduce reliance on imports.
EIGA has applied: by joining forces with industry partners and policymakers, EIGA reinforces its commitment to resilience, sustainability, and competitiveness in a rapidly evolving global landscape.

SI-TS 9/25 - Vehicle Specification and Maintenance

Commercial vehicle transport is one of the highest risk activities in the industry. The main cause for incidents during transport operations is human behaviour (e.g. poor driving, poor management, see EIGA Info TS 07, Human behaviour within Transport Operations [1]). However, sub-standard, unsafe or defective transport equipment can also result in or increase...

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TP 67/25 - N2O Production - Plant Operator Training

(EIGA Members' area)

This publication serves the interest of all who could be concerned with nitrous oxide manufacturing from the thermal decomposition of ammonium nitrate. This publication applies to safety and operation of nitrous oxide plants using ammonium nitrate technology. Emphasis is placed on equipment and operational features that are particular to nitrous oxide...

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TP 68/25 - Nitrous Oxide Properties - Ammonium Nitrate Properties

(EIGA Members' area)

This publication serves the interest of all who could be concerned with nitrous oxide manufacturing from the thermal decomposition of ammonium nitrate. This publication gives information on substances used during manufacturing, their properties, hazards, precautions and advise for safe operation.