Italian glass association warns gas prices above EUR 80/MWh threaten output
Assovetro, the Italian glass industry association, has warned that natural gas prices climbing back above EUR 80 per MWh threaten the competitiveness and production continuity of the sector, urging the government for immediate energy-cost relief. The association says gas covers over 80% of energy needs for many glass producers, whose furnaces run continuously and cannot be shut down to wait for better market conditions. It is calling for decoupled marginal pricing and long-term supply access on terms competitive with US and Asian rivals, warning of a widening cost gap that could trigger plant stoppages, job losses and relocation of capacity.
Why this mattersSustained high gas costs could force Italian glass furnace closures or capacity relocation, tightening European glass container supply for beverage and food customers.
- Natural gas prices have risen above EUR 80 per MWh, prompting Assovetro to warn of risks to production continuity
- Energy accounted for 18.9% of Italian glass production costs in 2024, down from 22.1% in 2023 and nearly 29% in 2022, with peaks of 56% in some cases
- Assovetro president Vitaliano Torno says without visibility on government support, investment and production capacity are at risk
- Vice-president Marco Ravasi calls for decoupling the price of the most expensive marginal quota from the rest of the market and for long-term gas supply access at internationally competitive terms
- European gas can cost up to eight times more than in the United States, while Asian and North African competitors benefit from subsidised energy and lighter environmental and fiscal constraints
- Assovetro represents 70 companies and about 16,000 direct employees; the Italian glass industry produced over 5.5 million tonnes in 2025 generating roughly EUR 9 billion in revenue