The Association of Serbian Energy Intensive Industry (ASEII), founded in September 2024, advocates for a coordinated national and regional approach to decarbonization that ensures the process strengthens rather than erodes competitiveness. “We believe it is very important that energy-intensive industries have their place in the dialogue around decarbonization, not only as passive observers but as active participants,” Director Svetlana Simić said at Belgrade Energy Forum 2025.
The Association of Serbian Energy Intensive Industry was established at a time when the domestic industry is facing complex challenges associated with the energy transition. Its five founding members represent the core of Serbia’s real economy, operating in the steel, fertilizer, and cement sectors.
“These are five leading companies in their respective fields: Metalfer, Elixir, Lafarge, Titan, and Moravacem. Our mission is clear: to be the voice of industry in the era of the energy transition. We believe it is very important that energy-intensive industries have their place in the dialogue around decarbonization, not only as passive observers but as active participants,” Director of ASEII Svetlana Simić said at Belgrade Energy Forum 2025 (BEF 2025).
The companies can offer solutions through their capacities, know-how, and experience, she underscored.
State and industry need to be partners in decarbonization
The Association of Serbian Energy Intensive Industry was founded in September. It advocates for a coordinated national and regional approach: one that protects strategic sectors, fosters low-carbon investment, and ensures that decarbonization strengthens rather than erodes competitiveness.
ASEII was a silver sponsor of this year’s conference, organized by Balkan Green Energy News. “We are at Belgrade Energy Forum today to highlight the importance of partnership between the state, the industry, and other stakeholders. We are also facing a serious challenge: the introduction of CBAM,” Simić stated.
Simić: We need legislative mechanisms that recognize how much companies are investing in their processes and innovation to reduce emissions
CBAM – the European Union’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism, is a levy on carbon dioxide emissions for foreign cement, iron and steel, aluminum, fertilizers, hydrogen and electricity. The administration in Brussels launched it to protect its economy from imports from third countries with less stringent or no carbon pricing. CBAM charges are due to be introduced gradually, starting in January.
Serbia, like the entire region, must act wisely, strategically, and swiftly, Simić pointed out. “We need legislative mechanisms that recognize how much companies are investing in their processes and innovation to reduce emissions and secure an equal footing in the market,” she said.
Zečević: Many companies have been preparing for CBAM
Branko Zečević, president of Metalfer Group and one of the founders of the Association of Serbian Energy Intensive Industry, was one of the panelists at BEF 2025, in a session titled Addressing carbon pricing in the Western Balkans – Turning decarbonisation challenges into opportunities through collaboration, innovation and competitiveness.
He said CBAM’s effects on Serbian exports can’t be quantified easily yet, but that many companies have been preparing for it and investing in decarbonization. In Zečević’s view, a much bigger threat for the industry in Serbia and the region is an expected flood of goods that will not be able to enter the EU market anymore. He stressed that a domestic carbon pricing system is necessary.