Polish representatives of the building materials industry have expressed growing concern over the increasing volume of imports from outside the European Union. They warn that Europe’s rising dependence on low-cost imports from countries with weaker environmental, labor, and quality standards is eroding the competitiveness of EU producers, leading to declining domestic production, job losses, and carbon leakage. The industry is calling for trade reforms, including the alignment of customs duties on building materials, while the government pledges action to support the domestic sector.
Soaring Imports Disrupt Market Balance
The past decade has seen a significant surge in the import of building materials into the EU, particularly from Eastern countries. Some of these imports come from sanctioned countries such as Russia and Belarus, while others benefit from direct state subsidies in their countries of origin, distorting fair competition within the single market.
“The government recognizes the challenge posed by the influx of products from the East, where our environmental and labor standards are not always observed,” said Ignacy Niemczycki, Secretary of State at the Polish Prime Minister’s Office, in an interview with Newseria. “This is an issue we must address urgently, especially in sectors like cement production, which are visibly affected.”
The Polish cement industry has been particularly vocal. Cement from Ukraine accounted for 28.5% of the Polish market in 2023—up from 0% just a decade earlier. Imports are also increasing in the steel, timber, and general construction materials sectors. For example, Belarus’s share in Polish imports of tiles, slabs, and blocks rose from 0% in 2015 to nearly 58% in 2024. In the case of bitumen-based products, imports from Russia accounted for over 75% of rolled asphalt imports prior to sanctions.
“The impact of non-EU imports varies across product groups. For example, ceramic tile manufacturers are clearly seeing increased competition from imports—particularly from countries like India,” said Szymon Firląg, President of the Association of Employers – Producers of Building Materials.
Domestic Producers Lose Ground
As Firląg noted, some manufacturers are still struggling due to stagnant construction investment. Demand has not rebounded, and increases in product sales are often met entirely through imports—leaving domestic producers behind.
“If this trend continues, the threat to local manufacturers will become critical,” Firląg warned.
The government has tools at its disposal, Niemczycki noted, including limiting preferential customs duties on building materials.
“The key is to ensure fair competition. If Eastern producers are subsidized, we must react to restore balance,” he added.
Industry Calls for Customs Reform
Industry leaders are unified in their call for reforming trade with non-EU countries. At the end of June, the Association of Employers – Producers of Building Materials is organizing a meeting in Brussels with MEPs and representatives from the European Commission to push for changes in EU customs policy.
“We need tariff parity between the EU and non-EU countries,” said Konrad Machula, President of the Association of Bitumen Product Manufacturers.
Currently, EU import duties on bitumen products from Russia and Belarus—such as roofing felt—are 0%, while exports from the EU to those countries face a 12% tariff, placing European manufacturers at a disadvantage. The industry is calling for protective tariffs on key building materials imported from outside the EU.
“Border countries like Poland should have a much stronger voice in setting tariff policy. We feel the impact of unfair trade more quickly and more severely,” Machula emphasized.
Existing Mechanisms Are Too Slow
Current EU mechanisms require support from at least 20% of the sector and a lengthy investigation process, allowing unfair competition to continue unchecked for up to 3–4 years. Participants at the “EU Economic Security” conference held at Warsaw’s PGE National Stadium stressed the need for urgent reform.
“We can also take action at the national level. A large share of cement consumption comes from public procurement. The cement industry is calling to green public tenders—because Polish-made cement has a much lower carbon footprint than cement imported from the East,” Niemczycki noted. “Let’s first look at national solutions, then tackle the more complex EU-level changes.”
Strengthening the EU’s Trade Defense Tools
Industry leaders also emphasized the need to effectively deploy the EU’s Trade Defense Instruments (TDIs), such as anti-dumping and anti-subsidy duties, in response to unfair practices by non-EU producers.
“We expect a strong and unified voice from both the Polish government and our representatives in the European Parliament and the European Commission,” Firląg said. “They must lobby for our interests at the EU level where critical trade and economic security decisions are made.”
Katarzyna Smyk, Director of the European Commission Representation in Poland, addressed concerns that EU membership has limited Poland’s trade autonomy.
“Trade policy decisions are made in Brussels, but with the full participation of Polish representatives. Poland helps shape EU policy toward partners like the U.S. and China,” Smyk explained.
She emphasized that the EU’s market size and influence in global trade provide leverage, allowing for the diversification of both export and import markets.
“Poland’s voice is heard in Europe. It is represented by ministers, civil servants, and associations. I encourage businesses to join industry groups with a presence in Brussels to advocate not only through national ministries but also directly at the EU level,” Smyk urged. “There is still room for more engagement—we all help shape European solutions.”
Industry Seeks Expansion of CBAM
One of the industry’s key proposals is to accelerate the full implementation of the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) and extend it to all carbon-intensive building materials. This would ensure that imported goods reflect the full environmental costs of production—including emissions from transportation.
Equally important is improving the verification system for imported products’ emissions, to prevent abuse or loopholes in regulation.
Source: ManagerPlus.pl – “ORLEN Celebrates 20 Years in the Czech Republic”
