Brussels, Belgium – In a bold call for industrial self-reliance, Guillaume Delacroix, Senior Vice President Performance Minerals EMEA & APAC at Imerys and Chairman of Imerys British Lithium, has spearheaded a push for more “Made in Europe” initiatives in the lithium and automotive sectors. Speaking during a high-level discussion in Brussels alongside Executive Vice-President Stéphane Séjourné and other leaders from the battery ecosystem, Delacroix emphasized Europe’s untapped potential in the green and mobility transitions.
Delacroix outlined a clear three-pronged strategy for enhancing Europe’s role in global value chains:
Financial Support for a Mining Renaissance: Advocating for increased funding to revive and modernize Europe’s mining industry, a critical step towards reducing dependency on external resources.
Local Content and Carbon Footprint Incentives: Urging the implementation of measures that promote local sourcing and environmentally responsible practices, thereby strengthening domestic supply chains.
Regulatory Reforms Aligned with Business Needs: Calling for regulations that not only safeguard the environment but also enable industry players to innovate and compete on the global stage.
Central to these initiatives is Imerys’ pioneering #EMILI lithium project in France, which exemplifies the company’s commitment to driving the transition towards sustainable, home-grown industrial solutions. As the world leader in specialty minerals, Imerys is poised to leverage its expertise to serve the burgeoning demands of the automotive industry and beyond.
Delacroix’s remarks come at a pivotal time, as European nations seek to balance economic growth with the imperatives of energy independence and environmental sustainability. By fostering a robust, locally driven supply chain, Europe is positioning itself to not only meet domestic needs but also to contribute significantly to global green transitions.
The Brussels discussion underscored a shared vision among industry leaders: a future where European innovation, supported by strategic investments and progressive regulatory frameworks, propels the continent to the forefront of the global lithium and automotive markets.
