Source: European Parliament
Question for written answer E-002584/2025
to the Commission
Rule 144
Tomáš Zdechovský (PPE)
The Commission’s proposed restriction, under the regulation on the registration, evaluation, authorisation and restriction of chemicals (REACH), on the use of calcium cyanamide as a fertiliser threatens to seriously jeopardise European strategic autonomy. While the restriction targets agricultural use, it threatens the economic viability of the only European producer, Alzchem Trostberg GmbH, which also supplies calcium cyanamide for nitroguanidine, a critical energetic material used in artillery shells, tank and naval ammunition, insensitive munitions and rocket propellants.
If agricultural demand collapses, calcium cyanamide production may become unsustainable or cease entirely. This would dismantle the only European supply chain for nitroguanidine and force reliance on imports from China, India, Japan or other countries, many of which pose serious geostrategic risks, undermining the EU’s defence capabilities and industrial sovereignty.
In the light of this:
- 1.Has the Commission assessed the indirect impact of the proposed ban on the viability of calcium cyanamide production and its consequences for European defence supply chains?
- 2.What steps will the Commission take to preserve access to this strategic raw material and prevent the collapse of the only EU-based production facility?
- 3.Will the Commission consider a targeted exemption or alternative regulatory approach that balances environmental goals with the need to safeguard critical industrial and defence capabilities?
Submitted: 26.6.2025