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Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship and SMEs

Industries related to raw materials

The European Commission's objective is to promote, within the context of the EU’s wider industrial policy, the competitiveness of industries related to raw materials. These industries are represented by metal industries, non-metallic minerals industries, minerals and non-energy extractive industries and forest-based industries.

Metal industries

The metal industries process non-ferrous metals such as aluminium, copper, and zinc; and ferrous materials such as steel. Both sectors are very important to the EU’s economy, competitiveness, and industrial development.

More on metal industries.

Non-metallic minerals industries

Non-metallic mineral products comprise of the production of cement, ceramics, glass, and lime. These manufacturing sectors are characterised by the transformation of naturally occurring minerals such as limestone, silica, and clays through an energy intensive process.

More on non-metallic minerals industries.

Minerals and non-energy extractive industries

Minerals are raw materials essential for modern society. They are used to build roads and houses, and to produce cars, computers, and household appliances. The mining and quarrying industry which extracts these minerals is very important to industrial, social, and technological progress in the EU.

More on mining industries.

Forest-based industries

The EU forest-based industries (F-BI) consist of four major sectors: woodworking, furniture, pulp & paper manufacturing and converting, and printing. The European Commission's objective is to facilitate the legislative and policy framework within which the F-BI operate to help maintain their competitiveness. More on: